C415 Seven Billion
Layton's startling bid sent a wave of silence sweeping through the auction hall.
Tella, too, seemed taken aback, lapsing into a prolonged silence without a response.
"The Zilinto Consortium bids five billion. Do we hear a higher offer?"
"Seven billion going once!"
The auctioneer had begun the countdown, yet there was still no word from Tella.
Below, the murmuring was incessant