Every head in the room snapped toward the giant board like puppets pulled by the same string. They held their breath, watching.

And then it happened.

One number appeared under BLAQ’s name. Then another. And another. It was slow at first...then, it became a flood.

Dozens of bids, then hundreds. The numbers flashed and climbed so fast they became a blur, leaving every other company far behind.

The quiet hall shattered with gasps, followed by a wave of excited murmurs. People ...