Chapter 328 Let Us Assure You (2/2)

Li Du smiled, ”Thank you, Russel. If you don’t trust me, go ahead and do an authenticity test. Check the authenticity of the material and the signature. I bet the results will prove me right. ”

Mr. Martin stood up too. ”He’s my daughter’s good friend—a very good friend. I can vouch for him too.”

Terry and the rest stood up as well. He said, ”We didn’t know Li Du well, but he took the risk of offending the Comanche to help us. He did a great job, we can vouch for him too.”

Lewis added, ”Li Du is an outstanding treasure hunter from China. He is a rising star in the storage auction business—people know his name from Flagstaff to Los Angeles. His name is well known in the industry!”

Everyone was convinced by now. Marate wanted to say something but he realized that he was speechless.

The priest walked toward the crowd and said, ”Be quiet, everyone. Let’s continue with the auction. Mr. Li, do you want to sell this jewelry box?”

Li Du said, ”No, but Miss Sophie Martin would like to sell it. Miss Martin didn’t introduce the box well—I’m here to help her with that.”

He winked at Sophie as he explained. ”Let’s continue with the auction. But I would like to adjust the starting price to 10,000 dollars.”

Sophie had tears in her eyes; she said, ”Whatever you say, Li Du.”

Li Du held the box high above his head. ”This is a fine emerald jewelry box. There are three rubies, three sapphires, and three turquoise pieces on it. It was made by a jewelry master in Myanmar. I think the starting price of 10,000 dollars is absolutely acceptable, who would like to bid for it?”

There were many rich people in the house. Marate was right about one thing: the purpose of a charity auction was not solely for donating. Everyone wanted to gain something from the auction as well.

It was a bargain to buy an emerald jewelry box with gems on top for 10,000 dollars. Lynch and the others knew how fine the jewelry box was. They knew the significance behind such good craftsmanship.

A middle-aged white man sitting with a pretty woman said, ”I’ll buy it for 10,000 dollars.”

Li Du pointed him, ”Alright, this gentleman would like to buy it for 10,000 dollars. Does anyone want to pay more? How about 11,000 dollars?”

Lynch raised his hand immediately, saying, ”11,000 dollars.”

Li Du laughed, ”Mr. Lynch would like to buy it for 11,000 dollars. I suppose he wants the box to keep his stamp collection in. Although it is rather extravagant, I know he has a more precious stamp collection. So, it makes sense—”

Another person made an offer: ”12,000 dollars.”

”How about 13,000 dollars?” Li Du asked.

”I would pay that much!”

”Fifteen thousand dollars. My daughter Barbara loves jewelry from Eastern Asia. I need to buy her a graduation gift.”

”Sixteen thousand dollars…”

The price slowly increased by the thousands. Li Du became the auctioneer. His experiences helped him act like a professional; he handled the situation well.

Finally, a white man in his fifties or sixties offered the price of 20,000 dollars. Lynch and the rest shook their head and gave up bidding for the box.

Li Du pointed at him, ”This rich and kind man is about to donate 20,000 dollars to the church. So 20,000 dollars, first call. Second call, 20,000 dollars... ”

He looked at the audience with bright eyes, shouting, ”20,000 dollars, final call! I hereby announce that this emerald jewelry box belongs to this kind man!”

As he finished his sentence, the crowd stood up and applauded.