Chapter 514

Suddenly, a new company raised its bidding paddle, instantly increasing the bid by 500 thousand dollars and drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

The representatives of the competing companies turned to look at the source of the bid. When they saw the words "Pentime Group", the executives of the major companies nodded in understanding.

It made perfect sense for Pentime Group to go head-to-head with Soreal Group.

To put it bluntly, if Pentime Group was determined to win this land, none of the companies present, including Soreal Group, stood a chance.

Wendy, who was from Pentime Group, was confident and proud. The representatives of Soreal Group, though reluctant, had no choice but to concede.

Compared to Pentime Group, which boasted a market value in the hundreds of billions, if not trillions of dollars, even Soreal Group seemed outmatched.

"11.5 million, going once! 11.5 million, going twice! 11.5 million, going three times—sold!"

With the auctioneer's gavel falling, the bidding for the 60-acre plot in the Newlight District finally ended.

Jack was naturally disappointed in the result. He had envisioned a grand blueprint for Haven, which needed a physical foundation to become a reality. Unfortunately, the price of the land was too high, and it ended up in someone else's hands.

As Jack was walking toward the exit, Mona and her group called him out.

Robin Preeta said, "Hey, handsome, wait a second!"

Although Jack wasn't particularly fond of girls like Mona, he still paused. "What is it?"

Robin asked eagerly, "Is Haven related to the Haven Connect app that's super popular overseas?"

Jack thought for a moment before replying, "That's one of our products."

Robin, Bethany McClain, and the others—who had studied abroad and knew how popular the Haven app was internationally—were stunned.

Although Haven Connect hadn't yet reached the massive user base of platforms like Facebook or TikTok, students who had used it praised its rich content, engaging features, and thoughtful services.

As long as the company continued to grow steadily and the management didn't make any major strategic mistakes, almost nothing could stop the rise of Haven Connect.

Its explosive growth in user numbers was proof enough. No one had expected that this wildly popular social network was created by a relatively unknown domestic company, Haven.

Bethany and Robin's eyes were filled with admiration as they looked at Jack.

Robin asked eagerly, "Do you know the founder or CEO of Haven? I really, really admire him! My classmates all admire him too! If you could help us get their autographs, we'd be over the moon."

Jack felt slightly uneasy. He didn't want too many people to know that he was the founder of Haven.

Just as he was about to respond in a tactful way, the sound of high heels clicking against the floor echoed in the distance.

From afar, Wendy's voice rang out. "Mr. Holland, I've been looking for you everywhere. I didn't expect you to be hiding here. Are you playing hide-and-seek with me?"

Jack turned around and saw Wendy leading the entire Pentime Group team walking toward him.

A smile was plastered on her face; Jack saw it as an expression of a victor.

After all, Wendy had successfully acquired the land he had been eyeing. Was she here to flaunt her victory? Or to get back at him for what happened a few days ago?

Jack replied indifferently, "What are you doing here?"

However, Wendy's originally cold and aloof expression suddenly bloomed into a radiant smile.

"What's wrong? Mr. Holland, are you still upset about what happened with our company? If we were to transfer the land to you at the price your company bid earlier, would you be grateful?"