[Chapter 153: A Crazy Auction]
Originally, the Spirit Transformation Elixir was priced at $100,000, the Foundational Reinforcement Elixir at $300,000, the Osteogenic Elixir at $1,000,000, and the Marrow Cleansing Pill at $5,000,000 -- each intended to be auctioned separately.
But after discussing it with Daniel, they decided to auction them as a set instead, to avoid any issues that might arise if the elixirs didn't form a complete package.
Because of this, the original plan for Katherine to verify the Osteogenic Elixir was scrapped. Having a single person demonstrate the entire set would be more straightforward. The starting price for the set was raised from a combined $6.4 million to $8 million.
"$9,000,000!"
"$10,000,000!"
"$12,000,000!"
"$15,000,000!"
The price climbed rapidly -- far more intense than Daniel had imagined. The effects Yelena had just demonstrated were undeniably shocking.
"$30,000,000!" The bid quickly soared to thirty million -- placed by Yelena herself.
"Yelena, you already own it. Why keep bidding?"
"Exactly, you only had to pay $8 million. I really regret not stepping up earlier."
"Can't I buy it for my family?" Yelena shot a sharp glare at the few who spoke, then continued bidding: "$35,000,000."
"My god, that glare she just gave me was kind of beautiful. I'm tempted now -- what should I do?"
"Do you want to die?" Yelena snapped.
"Hahaha... That depends on how I die."
Yelena rolled her eyes at them and ignored their teasing, steadily pushing the bid higher: "$40,000,000!"
After this call, no one else raised their bids. Although the elixirs' effects were miraculous, $40 million felt too steep. Everyone hesitated.
"$40,000,000, sold! Congratulations to Ms. Yelena for winning this set of elixirs."
Without even a "going once, going twice," Frank slammed the gavel, finalizing the sale.
"However, I must remind everyone that this elixir set can only be taken once in a lifetime. Taking more than one will have no effect. Please keep that in mind. Ms. Yelena, please proceed backstage for the transaction. Next, we begin the auction of the second set."
The bidding restarted. With Yelena's successful bid setting an example, everyone now had an idea of what the price might be.
When the bids reached $40 million again, the increments slowed significantly.
Eventually, the second set sold for $42 million.
The third set went for $43 million.
Though the price kept increasing, the jumps were small -- especially after surpassing $50 million, when they became even more modest.
In the end, the transaction prices settled around $50 million per set -- until the very last set...
...
"This is the last set," Frank Douglas announced. "If you don't want to miss out, place your bid now."
Everyone was stunned. Especially those who hadn't secured a set yet -- only then did they realize there was just one remaining.
"$50,000,000!" someone shouted immediately.
"$60,000,000!"
"$70,000,000!"
The room fell silent. Seventy million -- nearly twenty million more than before.
Everyone hesitated.
"Is there any bid higher than $70 million?"
"$75,000,000."
"$80,000,000."
No one else raised their hand.
"Sold for $80,000,000! Congratulations."
Frank smiled broadly. "I hereby announce that this auction has come to a successful close."
Those who had won elixirs applauded; those who hadn't wore disappointed expressions.
"Frank, will there be more of this elixir in the future?" someone asked anxiously.
Frank shook his head. "I can't guarantee that. But if there is, I'll notify everyone immediately."
Those without a set looked even more regretful.
"Yelena, how about selling me the set you won? I'll offer $50,000,000, and you'll make a $10,000,000 profit."
"Impossible. I need this set for myself."
"I'll offer $60,000,000 -- making a $20,000,000 profit. After deducting the one you consumed, you'd still net $20,000,000."
Yelena hesitated.
"$80,000,000, and I'll sell it to you," she countered, quoting the highest price from earlier.
"Yelena, you really are ruthless."
"Are you buying it or not?"
"Fine, you win."
The two completed the transaction.
Yelena beamed. This time, she hadn't spent a dime but still made a net profit of $40,000,000.
"This is the easiest money I've ever made," she laughed.
Watching this, others felt regretful -- they wished they had bid on a few more sets earlier to flip for a profit, just like Yelena.
"Mr. Hussein, I think you bought three sets earlier. Would you sell me one? I'm willing to pay $80,000,000."
Someone approached the man with the cloth wrapped around his head.
"No need," he said with a smile. "I'm not short on cash. I'm actually looking to buy elixirs from you."
Those words left everyone feeling helpless. Though all were billionaires, they were far behind him in wealth.
Once again, the crowd swarmed Frank, peppering him with questions about when this kind of elixir might be auctioned again.
...
Daniel kept his expression neutral but was secretly thrilled.
He left the auction hall with light steps. This time, he had made a massive profit.
Except for the set Yelena consumed, which cost $8 million, every other set had sold for at least $40 million -- in some cases, as high as $80 million. The average price hovered around $50 million.
That was at least $1 billion total.
Though this was before taxes.
And U.S. taxes were notoriously steep.
Still, there was no immediate need to pay; taxes could be filed during the annual deadline. If necessary, one could apply for an extension.
Daniel waited outside for over half an hour before Frank called him inside.
They met in a reception room at the auction house.
Frank looked excited. "I didn't expect my first auction to be such a huge success."
Katherine added from the side, "That's because Mr. Cross's elixirs are exceptional."
Frank laughed. "Of course -- that's the main reason."
Daniel smiled. "Your auctioneering skills helped a lot, too."
Frank's smile grew wider. "Mr. Cross, I've transferred the money to your account. But since it's a huge sum, it might take some time to appear -- about $1.12 billion total."
Daniel couldn't help but smirk.
Frank sighed. "Now your money instantly matches all of my liquid assets. You really do make money easily."
Daniel laughed, "It's just liquid assets."
Frank's expression turned serious. "Tax season is coming. If you report this money normally, you'll be taxed at 37%."
Daniel quickly did the math -- that was over $400 million in taxes.
His good mood vanished fast.
"So... are there unconventional methods?"
Frank chuckled, "Of course. Otherwise, billionaires would be hopeless from paying taxes."
"What kind of methods?" Daniel asked.
Frank explained, "The worst method is accounting fraud -- that's the least recommended since it's easily detected. The common ones are charitable donations and stock investments. Donations can be tax-exempt, with plenty of wiggle room. Stock investments also offer tax advantages.
The best method is setting up a charitable foundation. Funds in a foundation are completely tax-exempt. You just need to donate a certain amount yearly to stay compliant. And since the foundation decides where donations go, there's lots of flexibility. Plus, you can be on the foundation's payroll, taking a large salary, and add others who do the same -- but in reality..." Frank gave Daniel a meaningful look, and Daniel understood exactly what he meant.
*****
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