Charlie nodded thoughtfully, his resolve firm. He was determined to reclaim the former residence of his parents, a place that held the last cherished memories of their time together. The significance of this house was immense. As various foreclosure vehicles were gradually cleared away, the auction shifted into full swing.

This auction featured 13 properties, but among them, the one with the lowest starting price was the very house where Charlie’s parents once lived. The key reason for its low valuation was its designation as a protected building by Aurous Hill. This classification meant that not only was demolition prohibited, but significant alterations were also off-limits.

Furthermore, the new owner of the old house would be required to maintain its original structure. Given its age, the property could not be demolished for profit, and any plans for reconstruction were also forbidden. Consequently, most bidders showed little interest in such a property, as it offered no potential for financial gain. It was clear that any purchaser would be unable to realize a return on their investment.

Despite this, Charlie and Deana eagerly awaited the auction of this particular house.

As soon as the auction began, the auctioneer projected images of the house onto a large screen, announcing, “The first property up for auction today is a protected old mansion located at the entrance of the old street. For detailed information, please refer to the auction manual. We’ll skip further introductions and start the bidding at 880,000. Bidding is now open!”

Without hesitation, Deana raised her paddle and declared, “One million.”

“Excellent!” the auctioneer responded promptly. “Bidder No. 34 has placed a bid of one million. Is there anyone willing to bid higher?”

In the corner, a plain middle-aged man raised his paddle, stating, “One and a half million!”

This middle-aged man was the driver for Isaac Cameron.

“One and a half million?!” The auctioneer was taken aback.

From an initial starting price of 880,000, the bid had nearly doubled in just two rounds! It was astonishing, considering the property held little potential for appreciation. Investing 1.5 million in such a house seemed irrational, as it would leave the buyer with a property that offered no chance of profit.

Before the auctioneer could regain his composure, Deana raised her paddle again, stating firmly, “I’ll bid two million.” The auctioneer’s surprise grew even more.

He quickly looked at Deana and cautioned her, “Bidder No. 34, just a reminder that this property cannot be demolished or developed. It must remain in its original state as mandated by the city. Are you fully aware of these restrictions?”

Deana nodded confidently, “I understand.”

Despite his confusion, the auctioneer acknowledged her bid. “Bidder No. 34 has offered two million. Is there anyone willing to go higher?” The middle-aged man in the corner immediately responded, “I’ll bid three million!”

Upon hearing “three million,” the auctioneer wiped his brow and continued, “We have a bid of three million from Bidder No. 22. Is there anyone who can top that?”

“Four million!” Deana raised her hand almost instinctively.

As the auctioneer registered this, he quickly announced, “Bidder No. 34 has raised the bid to four million.” But Isaac Cameron’s driver was quick to respond, “I’ll bid five million!”

Deana didn’t give the auctioneer a moment to breathe. She stated, “I bid eight million.”

Eight million?! Gasps filled the room! To the other bidders, this old house seemed completely worthless. It was dilapidated, lacking any commercial value, and was uncomfortable to live in.

Living in such an old house could mean dealing with leaks and poor insulation, making it uncomfortably cold in winter and excessively hot in summer. Many felt that renting a low-cost city apartment would be a far better option. Thus, many believed that with a starting price of 880,000, this house would likely go unsold.

However, no one could have anticipated that this seemingly worthless property would spark such fierce competition, escalating the price to eight million in a matter of moments.