At the halftime of the auction, the organizers thoughtfully gave the rich people the last time to prepare for the "filling" of their accounts, and Hall also received a $1 million guarantee from Goldman Sachs.

The first lot of the second half - "Water Lilies" RB bridge series, Monet.

"The painting measures 89 x 92 cm and was created in 1900. It is well known that the water lily paintings created by Mr. Monet later in his life are getting larger and larger, but I can responsibly tell you that according to Christie's statistics, the water lily paintings created by Mr. Monet in his early years sold for a higher price......"

There was a female auctioneer on the stage, and the smile was very friendly and fluttering, and the price was raised to 2 million.

During this period, Hall did not raise a card.

"Maybe we should hire a professional bidder, 81 and 42 have a very strategic bidding cadre, and 33," Brandon said. ”

"We're just having fun, so we don't have to be too nervous." Hall replied, then looked at Arianna, "Can you help me introduce who everyone is going to be next?" ”

Ariana glanced at the audience and observed the number plate: "2.2 million, Mitsubishi Consortium people, 2.5 million, Mrs. Mellon...... 3 million, uh, this guy is a painting dealer, it seems to be called Larry Gagoxuan......"

At the current high price, the default 2/5/8 rule is raised, and if there is an extra price, it can be specially indicated, and it cannot be lower than the minimum markup, and it must be rounded.

Hall asked Brandon to hold up his card.

"Oh! Mr. No. 37 shot again, 4 million! Friends who participate in the bidding should be urgent. The female auctioneer raised her hand.

Many men and women looked at this place, and Hall focused on responding to Mrs. Mellon and the Mitsubishi Foundation.

"4.5 million? Okay, from the Mitsubishi Group No. 81, 4.5 million. The auctioneer raised his voice, "Is there anything else to raise?" Mr. 37, you can add to 4.8 million, please think about it......"

"Do you think Mitsubishi's bottom line is really 6 million?" Hall asked, stretching Erlang's legs and covering his mouth and nose with his hands.

Alan Anna leaned into his ear and whispered, "I think maybe it's up to the art dealers, they must know Mitsubishi's bottom line best." ”

"Makes sense." Hall gave up pulling and directly raised his hand to speed up the offer: "5.5 million." ”

This is his bottom line, and if Mitsubishi's bottom line can't reach this price, he doesn't mind going from joining in the fun to becoming a spoiler. If it does, he doesn't lose either......

"6 million, No. 81 Mitsubishi Group."

"6.5 million, Mr. 42."

"8.8 million, the last time, deal!" The auctioneer finally dropped the hammer, and the scene burst into warm applause.

Once again, the Neon People proved to the Yankees that they are not only rich, but also willing to spend money; The painting dealers are even darker than everyone thinks, and the hype goal has been overachieved; Ms. Onassis, the donor of the painting, pondered how the money would work to maximize the results.

As for Hall, before the auction starts, he has to talk to others about pork knuckles, college, and the entertainment industry.

After the auction, he just needs to stand where he is, and people keep coming around to talk about topics that interest him.

The main purpose of his visit to the charity dinner was to socialize, and the reason why he knew that the situation of the "Water Lily Picture" auction still had to be mixed in was mainly to serve social purposes. The bidding price of 5.5 million is a shining business card.

Everyone achieved their goal, except for Neon Man, who was a little in pain......

"That's how it should be, in fact, if the price doesn't reach 6 million, I'll shoot it." Mrs. Mellon spoke very directly, and her whole person was in good spirits, and she did not look at all like a grandmother who was over seventy years old.

Hall asked curiously, "Is there any reason for this?" ”

"This painting is a masterpiece in the history of Western civilization and art, but those dealers and neon rich people treat it as a commodity."

Mrs. Mellon glanced at the crowd around her and said with undisguised disdain: "6 million is a baseline beyond the actual value, and I think that when people get something beyond the actual value, they will cherish it." You did what I wanted, thank you. ”

The two of them were obviously standing in the corner of the venue and chatting, but they seemed to be in the center of the venue, and many people around them looked at this side frequently, but they didn't dare to step forward for fear of disturbing Mrs. Mellon.

Because it was the Mellon family, a behemoth involved in the military, energy, and banking, and no one wanted to have a relationship with it, even if it was just to leave a small good impression.

"Sure enough, the artistic value of a work of art has little to do with its economic value, but it has a lot to do with things that have nothing to do with art. I hope they will cherish this painting. Hall couldn't help but smile and replied.

Mrs. Mellon raised an eyebrow: "Interesting statement, well, it does have to do with my personal likes and dislikes. I hate it for people who don't know how to appreciate art to tarnish masterpieces, that's my belief. ”

"Everybody knows about you and your husband's pursuit of art, and I heard your story when I was in London." Hall expressed respect.

Mrs. Mellon's husband is Paul Mellon, and the mainstream rumors in high circles say that the couple has assets of $4 to 500 million, and they are very passionate about art.

Jacqueline, the first lady of the president who was overturned from her skull, specially invited Mrs. Mellon to be the designer to decorate the White House and the White House rose garden landscape.

The couple are well-known philanthropists, art collectors, and master horse racers, arguably the quintessential figures of the old money circle in the United States.

So it's completely understandable that they hate neon turtle nouveau riche and tarnish their faith or something.

"Aunt Bonnie, I'm sorry, I just chatted with the organizers, what are you talking about?"

While the two were talking, an obese middle-aged woman walked over and greeted Hall, "Hello, I saw that you made a bid, thank you for your recognition." ”

"I want to bring it back to Europe, but unfortunately I don't have the budget." Hall lied and didn't blink.

Brandon next to him thought that the little boss called his mother excitedly yesterday and calculated that the value-added space of the water lily diagram was an illusion.

But Mrs. Mellon liked to hear this, and introduced with a kind smile: "Tina, you know quickly, this is Hugo Hall, a nobleman from Yorkshire, England. ”

"Hello Lady Onassis, I've seen you in the newspapers." Hall didn't call her husband by his first name, and Ariana reminded him that the ship's daughter was in a troubled relationship.

Onassis tilted his head: "The newspaper said that I disgraced my father again, right?" ”

“…… I admire Mr. Onassis's achievements, and he deserves the name of the king of ships. Hall replied stunned.

Mrs. Mellon frowned slightly: "Tina, you can't be rude to Mr. Hall, he just came to New York, and he is not used to such jokes." Her own identity and age are there, and she wants to say whatever she wants.

And the ship king, after his death, his social status was very high, but he was only a family of tobacco traders, and his daughter was not qualified to talk to a real powerful nobleman without scruples.

Tina will be despised by the young nobleman in front of her as a rude monkey, affecting her father's image.

Onassis put his hand on his chest: "I'm sorry, I've been affected by the media recently, and I'm a little emotionally sensitive. ”

"They have no bottom line for profit, so there is no need to be confused about this." Hall was tolerant.

Mrs. Mellon raised her glass to change the subject: "But Tina is right, and I have to thank you for your generosity in buying my donation lot and not letting it go unauctioned." ”

"I love that still life of yours and I'm going to give it to my mother as a Christmas present." Hall replied with a sip of red wine.

Mrs. Mellon said tactfully: "Very tasteful choice, very good young man, I have a little more interest in the collection in your house." ”

"You are welcome to come to England at any time, and I think my mother will be happy to talk to you." Hall responded enthusiastically.

Being able to get to know Mrs. Mellon was very rewarding from this dinner.

For him, Mellon is not just an American consortium family, the most important thing is that the Mellon family's basic plate is in the banking industry, and if it really gets in touch with each other in the future, there will be many benefits.

It's a pity that the neon turtle nouveau riche is really rich, and he couldn't shoot "Water Lily Picture" by the way.

If only I could find a way to make a profit from them, the painting dealers could kill them, and they should be able to do it themselves......