Chapter 257: Digging a Pit

……

"10 million!"

The clear voice echoed in the banquet hall, and the breakthrough price unsurprisingly attracted the attention of everyone present. Hills Francis Bahrain is no exception, but as a competitor, he doesn't look good.

"10 million! Mr. 7 bid 10 million, is there anything higher?"

Hills-Francis Barin, who didn't need to look and knew that all eyes were on him, hesitated for a moment, then raised the bid again, and directly added 1 million.

"11 million!"

"Wow...!"

Before everyone's exclamations fell, Guo Shouyun picked up the bidding sign again and gave a more exaggerated price.

"12 million!"

Hills Francis Balin's face instantly turned gloomy.

At this time, the atmosphere in the hall became eerie, and the eyes of the guests wandered back and forth between the two of them, and the expressions of schadenfreude and good play were overflowing.

With a cold snort in his heart, Hills-Francis Balin, who had made some kind of decision, raised his bidding card again.

"15 million!"

"Wow, this guy is, isn't he?"

"Who knows, but it's always good that they're willing to pay more......!"

"Mr. Guo, this price is too high!" William said seriously.

"yes. Once you bid again, it is easy to fall into the trap of the other party!" Li Zeju also persuaded beside him.

Guo Shouyun nodded, his mind was racing rapidly, thinking about whether the price of 15 million was the bottom line of the other party, or was there a higher price?

"£15 million to US dollars is 22.5 million, which is higher than the market value of existing Monet paintings, but it is not too exaggerated. If this guy is intent on digging a hole for me, then 15 million will definitely not be the final price!"

Thinking of this, Guo Shouyun raised the bidding sign in his hand again.

"18 million!"

"18 million, Mr. 7 bid 18 million, is there anything higher?"

Faced with this kind of fierce bidding, which is rarely seen in the spring and autumn auctions of Sotheby's and Christie's, Steve Schiller, as the auctioneer, has been fully mobilized, and his tone is full of excitement and agitation.

As for the surrounding audience, the nerves that were already completely shocked by the unthinking price increase of the two were numb. However, driven by inertia, everyone subconsciously turned their attention to Hills Francis Balin.

At this time, he was also facing the same concerns as Guo Shouyun: If the price is increased again, will the other party follow?

After thinking about it for a long time, the arrogant Hills Francis Balin still did not intend to give up, but considering the risks, he did not add as many millions as before. Of course, he also wanted to get that if he bid less, it would undoubtedly give the other party the appearance that he was going to withdraw from the competition. If the other party deliberately digs a pit for him, then after realizing his choice, he may not continue to follow. If the other party really likes the painting, then the price will definitely increase.

The result of his consideration was that Guo Shouyun really liked this fine oil painting of Monet, because according to the information he collected, the other party's fiancée was a graduate of the oil painting department of the Royal College of Art.

It's a pity that he guessed the beginning correctly but not the end. Molly Bevan likes oil painting, and Guo Shouyun is also interested in it. But there are many opportunities to buy good oil paintings, but not many opportunities to export gas.

"18.5 million!"

As soon as this price came out, Guo Shouyun instantly guessed that Hills Francis Bahrain was going to withdraw. In that case, what are you waiting for. Snap the bidding sign directly to the table next to it, and show your attitude to everyone who has seen it.

Hills Francis Ballin, who also saw this scene, instantly turned black to the bottom of the pot!

The anger in his heart made him can't help but stand up and say: "Everyone knows that Mr. Guo has made a lot of money in gold speculation, why is he so stingy in charity?"

"Who says I'm stingy? I don't buy Monet's paintings, but I just want to fulfill Mr. Balin's love. As for myself...!" Guo Shouyun turned around, "Mr. Sersi, I myself am also very keen on charity, and I have been doing this in the past. In addition, I am willing to give $10 million privately as a support for this charity auction. I don't want anything, I just want to be able to get closer to the children of the orphanage in England with my love!"

The words of Gao Feng and full of love instantly won the favor of everyone present. After all, giving without asking for anything in return is always the most impressive!

At the same time, Hills Francis Balin, who paid a price far higher than Guo Shouyun, but was robbed of the limelight by the other party, and did not even get the reputation of charity, could drip with a gloomy face.

For a moment, he thought about giving up, so that according to the regulations, Monet's "Water Lilies" would be transferred to Guo Shouyun, the second most expensive painting.

But it was clear that if he didn't want to be ridiculed in British high society, he should not do this kind of backsliding. After all, it's not business, it's charity.

"Thank you very much Mr. Guo for your donation, and I thank you on behalf of all the orphans. Also, thank you very much, Mr. Bahrain, and the buyer who was here today and participated in the auction, thank you!"

After thanking him, Joseph Selsey announced the end of the charity auction.

……

"Bruce, yes, I've never seen that old guy get so popular!"

As everyone stood up and prepared to leave, William laughed.

"Being ridiculed by you in front of so many people, he will definitely not give up, Mr. Guo, you have to be careful of his revenge in the future!" Li Zeju said cautiously.

"Lee is right, this old guy likes to play tricks behind his back!" William said.

"Thank you both for your advice, I'll take care of it!"

Guo Shouyun nodded.

"This is almost the end of today's dinner, how about we go for a late-night snack later?" William suggested.

"My fiancée is still waiting at home, you two go!" Guo Shouyun said.

"I'd love to go, but I'm flying to Amsterdam at 5 a.m. and presiding over a business negotiation. So it's important to rest early. ”

William shrugged his shoulders, although he really wanted to have a good relationship with two figures with unlimited potential in the business world in China and the United States, but since there was something wrong with others, he naturally would not force it.

"Well, it looks like we have to wait until next time!"

Looking at the two of them, Guo Shouyun took out a few cards from his pocket, "This is my contact information, and the other two are my platinum membership cards in my private club in San Francisco." If you go to the United States, especially San Francisco, you will definitely contact me. ”

The two of them took one look at each other, and nodded at the same time.

"Hello, Mr. Guo!"

Just as the three of them were about to leave, a middle-aged man in a straight suit walked up to Guo Shouyun.

"Hello!"

"I'm Paul Kahneman, Viscount Selcy's butler!" After introducing himself, "Sir would like to meet you!"

"Bruce, it looks like you're not destined to go home soon!" William said.

Guo Shouyun nodded after thinking for a while, "Two, then I'll go first." In the future, we will meet again if we have a chance!"

"Okay!"

"I'll call you!"

After waving his hand, Guo Shouyun followed Paul Kahneman out of the hall, walked for a while in the quaint and luxuriously decorated corridor, and came to the room near the end.

"Mr. Guo, please come in!"

Guo Shouyun nodded, and walked in.

A typical Western-style office surrounded by a variety of artworks and a very chic décor.

"Please sit down first, Jazz will be here soon after sending off the guests!"

"Okay!"

After answering, Guo Shouyun sat down on the sofa next to him.

After a short time, Paul Kahneman came over with the brewed tea.

"Sir knows that Mr. Guo likes to drink tea, so he specially prepared a special red robe bought from Huaxia, I hope Mr. Guo can like it!"

"Mr. Cecil has a heart! Thank you!"

Before he could finish his words, laughter rang out outside the door.

"To entertain a VIP like Mr. Guo, of course, you have to prepare carefully. ”

Soon, Joseph Robert Cecil, whom had been seen many times at the auction, walked in with a smile on his face. Only this time he was not alone, behind him, there was also a middle-aged man in a brown suit. Guo Shouyun doesn't know this person, but judging from his temperament, he is obviously also an upper-class person with extraordinary status and great power.

"Jazz!"

Guo Shouyun stretched out his right hand towards the other party.

"I've heard of Mr. Guo's name for a long time, but I haven't had the opportunity to meet him. This time, I also learned that you were in the UK from a few friends in the United States, so I took the initiative to invite you in the name of this charity gala. I've finally got you here!"

"Mr. Sir is polite, in fact, as long as you make a phone call, I promise to take the initiative to visit!" Guo Shouyun also said politely.

"By the way, who is this gentleman...?"

"Look at me. I was so focused on talking to you that I almost forgot the most important thing. … Let me introduce you to Vernon Johnson, the president of the Royal Bank of Scotland!"

"Royal Bank of Scotland!?"

After quickly thinking of a few possibilities in his heart, Guo Shouyun shook the right hand of the financial giant executive.

"Mr. Guo, it's an honor to meet you here!"

"Mr. Johnson is gracious!"

"I think we'd better sit down and talk!"

At the suggestion of Joseph Robert Cecil, the three sat down on the adjacent reception couch.

"I heard that Mr. Guo's fiancée is British?" asked Joseph Robert Cecil.

Guo Shouyun nodded.

In this case, I can meet Mr. Guo often in the future. You know, I personally admire Mr. Guo's talent in investment very much, and I always want to have the opportunity to ask for advice in person!"

Vernon Johnson nodded in agreement, "The Bank of Scotland also highly praises Mr. Guo's financial talent!"

………………………………………………………………