Seventy billion."
The moment this number was announced, the already quiet venue seemed to be put on pause.
All eyes were focused on the uninvited blond man.
Edward Morgan, Managing Director of Asia at Morgan Capital, a top investment bank from across the ocean.
Unlike the others who sat upright, he casually found an empty seat, elegantly unbuttoned one button of his suit jacket, and sat down.
Edward's gaze swept over the crowd, landing squarely on Kyoko without any attempt to hide it.
That look in his eyes didn't seem like he was looking at a competitor; it was more like he was admiring a rare treasure.
"I've long heard of the eldest daughter of the Sasaki family, who is known as the 'Black Rose of the Business World.' Meeting her today, I can confirm that the reputation is well-deserved."
Edward spoke in slightly broken but fluent Japanese, his tone carrying a deliberate air of gentlemanly manners, yet unable to conceal the arrogance in his bones.
"Such a beautiful woman is a rare sight in the East, Miss Kyoko. Actually, this piece of land is dispensable to me, but my interest in you… is quite great."
Such blatant provocation would likely make any ordinary woman, even a powerful businesswoman, feel ashamed or at a loss.
However, Kyoko sat there without even lifting her eyelids.
She still held the bidding number in her hand, gently twirling it between her fingers, her expression perfectly calm.
Kyoko didn't even glance at Edward, but simply raised the sign in her hand again, her voice still as cold as ice:
"Eighty billion."
There was no nonsense, no rebuttal, and not even a hint of emotional fluctuation.
The only direct and brutal solution is to add more money!
Edward raised an eyebrow, seemingly quite interested in Kyoko's reaction.
He chuckled, shook his head, and snapped his fingers at his assistant behind him, who immediately handed him a glass of red wine.
"Eighty-five billion." Edward took a sip of his drink, looking relaxed. "Ms. Kyoko, Morgan Capital has no shortage of money. I know the Sasaki family is having some difficulties right now. If I were you, I wouldn't fight over a trivial matter. Why don't you accept my invitation? We can have dinner together and talk about how to cooperate more 'deeper'. Perhaps I can even give you this piece of land."
He emphasized the word "in-depth," his eyes scanning Kyoko with an undisguised arrogance.
Despite this even more blatant provocation, Kyoko remained unperturbed.
"Nine hundred billion."
Kyoko raised her sign for the third time.
This time, her gaze finally fell on Edward, with the look of someone looking at a clown.
"Mr. Morgan, you just said... that the one thing you have in abundance is money?"
Kyoko chuckled softly, a clear laugh that sounded rather jarring to Edward.
"That's strange. According to a not-so-public financial report I just received, Mr. Morgan's European hedge fund seems to have suffered heavy losses last week due to the energy crisis. Wall Street is pressing for repayment right now. You rushed to Asia this time to recover your losses and save your life, not to... pick up girls, right?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the group of actuaries and lawyers behind Edward, who had been calm and composed, changed drastically.
The group exchanged glances, their eyes filled with shock and panic—this was a top secret within the company, how could she know?!
Edward's smile froze instantly, and the wine glass in his hand wobbled, almost spilling.
Kyoko gave them no chance to breathe. She leaned forward slightly, her aura exploding instantly, creating an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"Using investors' last lifeline money to act all high and mighty, playing the gentleman's game of throwing money around... Mr. Morgan, this is not the conduct expected of a proper banker. If this 90 billion is poured in, are you sure your cash flow can last until next week?"
These words, like a sharp sword, pierced Edward's fatal weakness with unerring precision!
This isn't just teasing and counter-teasing; it's downright annihilation!
Kyoko not only confronted him head-on with her financial resources, but also completely overwhelmed him with information and intelligence!
The entire audience erupted in uproar.
Everyone stared in shock at the heiress, and any remaining contempt they had felt vanished.
This black rose is indeed thorny; it's very prickly!
Ryuzaki Mako sat to the side, watching Kyoko's domineering performance with deep admiration in his eyes.
This is a pure businessman. If I were in that position, I probably would have lost some sense of propriety.
It must be said that people are constantly improving throughout their lives, and Ryuzaki Makoto has indeed come to understand some things today.
Kyoko's words were like a cold dagger, precisely and ruthlessly piercing the fig leaf covering the Morgan Group's financial chain.
The air in the room seemed to freeze instantly, and the actuaries behind Edward turned pale, instinctively trying to pull out reports to cover it up. These subtle actions further confirmed Kyoko's revelation.
Everyone thought that this "wolf" from Wall Street would be enraged by such public humiliation and might even turn on the spot.
However, Edward unexpectedly laughed.
It wasn't an awkward attempt to cover up, nor was it angry laughter; it was a hearty laugh from the bottom of his heart.
He gracefully placed the swaying wine glass back on the tray. Although the arrogance on his face had not completely faded, the hint of ruthlessness had disappeared, replaced by the composure and demeanor of a top predator.
Edward showed no sign of panic; instead, he clapped with great interest.