Hollywood Road

Back in the day, Kobe Bryant didn't make a move, and the more mature Kobe Bryant of today wouldn't either, especially since a physical altercation wouldn't gain him any advantage.

Besides, in the presence of two staff members stepping between them, it would be foolish to start a fight. This was an occasion where face mattered, even for sports stars.

"Kobe..." Luke Walton looked puzzled between Murphy and Kobe Bryant and asked, "What's going on with you two?"

Kobe's fists slowly unclenched. He gave Murphy a deep look and then slapped Luke on the back of his head with a thud.

"Let's go!" He seemed eager to leave Murphy's sight and headed towards the exit of the banquet hall, urging Luke, who was trailing behind, "Hurry up, idiot!"

Luke Walton, rubbing the back of his head, followed Kobe Bryant out.

"You guys..." Gal Gadot watched the two sports stars leave and asked Murphy again, "What happened between you two?"

Murphy considered for a moment, seeing no need to hide the truth from the person closest to him.

"When I was starting out," he said without a hint of shame, "Kobe Bryant funded me."

"He funded you?" Gal Gadot looked at Murphy incredulously. "Was it really a sponsorship?"

She knew how most of the initial capital had come.

Murphy shrugged and briefly explained the situation back then, "Yeah... That's basically it."

"Okay, dear," Gal Gadot sighed. "Your start was even harder than I thought."

She squeezed Murphy's hand tightly, acknowledging his struggle. To her, the fact that Murphy had managed to forge a path forward from such dire circumstances without sinking showed his exceptional will and capability.

"It's nothing," Murphy reassured her, sensing her concern and squeezing her hand back. "Really, it's nothing. Dear, how else could I have met you? How else could I have the best girlfriend in the world?"

Murphy, a man of few words, rarely displayed his emotions so openly. Gal Gadot turned to him, nodded vigorously, and felt fortunate.

The auction continued with a dinner setting, and soon enough, food and drinks were served. However, like Murphy and Gal Gadot, most attendees had specific targets and showed little interest in the dining options, focusing more on the so-called charitable auction.

The organizers didn't keep their guests waiting long, and the auction started soon after, featuring luxury goods and art pieces from Susan Sapperstein's collection. Murphy had little interest in these, while Gal Gadot participated perfunctorily, bidding a few thousand dollars.

The charity aspect, purported to save the destitute African American children, was commendable, yet the proceeds would barely touch the cause, with the bulk likely ending up in private pockets.

Frankly, Murphy had a complex relationship with the African American community. Although he didn't dislike them, he didn't particularly favor them either, treating them as he would anyone else, without seeing them as a special group. His experience working with the African American actor Laurence Fishburne, who played a role in "Man of Steel" and left a positive impression, had initially changed Murphy's views on African American actors.

Laurence Fishburne, cool and composed, unlike some of his more sensitive colleagues, integrated well within the crew, which included David Robbie, Philip Lachell, Chris Evans, and others, considering himself just another member of the team.

This experience had made Murphy consider using more African American actors in future projects, even in leading roles if they shared Fishburne's grounded attitude.

However, this idea was short-lived. Murphy, usually independent and strong-willed, abandoned it entirely and decided never to cast African American actors in major roles in his future projects.

Something must have occurred to provoke such a staunch reversal in Murphy's attitude, stirring his steel-like nerves to anger.

The trigger was simple: a few months ago, a prominent African American rapper released a new hip-hop track titled "Meeting the Robbers." The song blatantly encouraged criminals to rob wealthy Asians in North America. It detailed how to target Asian communities, advising robbers that Asians "don't trust bank accounts" and to prefer stealing jewelry over large electronics, which could be quickly cashed out at pawn shops.

Moreover, this rapper was a key member of an African American rights organization!

Most Americans might not think much of it, but Murphy, with his unique experiences, couldn't possibly feel positively towards these people.

In the world, there are always some who disappoint just when you start to have expectations, destroying any goodwill with their abhorrent actions.

Murphy wasn't just a bystander; he managed to get a Chinese-American lawyer to report the matter to the FBI, who took it seriously and began an investigation. The rapper would not have an easy time ahead.

"Now, the item up for auction is the 'Flower of Lis' estate located in the Beverly Hills Holm

by Hills..."

After a long wait, the auctioneer finally announced the item Murphy was interested in, "The starting bid for the 'Flower of Lis' estate is $60 million, with increments of at least $1 million."

The bidding started, with someone immediately raising their paddle to $61 million, followed by another to $62 million. Murphy watched patiently; it was not yet time for him to bid. The 'Flower of Lis' would not sell for just over $60 million.

His major competitor, as Leonardo DiCaprio had mentioned, Maria Carey, remained quiet without making a bid.

"$70 million!"

Perhaps impatient with the million-dollar increments, a middle-aged woman a few rows ahead of Murphy significantly raised the bid.

Murphy remained observant and patient.

"$71 million."

The first bidder seemed very determined.

The bidding for the 'Flower of Lis' was fierce, quickly escalating to $80 million, a super deal by any global standard.

"Real estate has always been an industry capable of miracles," Murphy whispered to Gal Gadot, who shook her head, "You're being sarcastic, right?"

Murphy shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

Regardless, the real estate industry had created miracles before, especially in Japan, where at its peak, the land in Tokyo could have bought the whole USA. The American economy, having recovered from the wounds of 9/11, owed much to real estate, which had given the federal government substantial returns – including the subprime mortgage crisis!

"$85 million!"

At the place Murphy was watching, a paddle went up.

Without needing to look closely, Murphy knew it was Maria Carey. The renowned diva had finally made her move.

"$86 million!"

The first bidder again raised their paddle.

Almost instantly after the bid, Maria Carey's paddle was raised again, "$90 million!"

The auction room fell into an eerily silent atmosphere.

Although appraisers had valued the 'Flower of Lis' at over a hundred million dollars, appraisal and actual sale price were completely different. Very few homes in North America ever sold for their appraised value.

$90 million was already a very high figure for the 'Flower of Lis'.

"$90 million for the first time!"

The auctioneer called out loudly, but no one raised their paddle. Most attendees, including Hollywood celebrities and international tycoons, considered $90 million a substantial amount, "$90 million for the second time!"

Murphy took his paddle from Gal Gadot and raised it, "$91 million!"

"$95 million!" Maria Carey raised the bid again.

Murphy glanced at her, then raised his paddle again, "$100 million!"

His knowledge of auction tactics was limited, and Maria Carey was clearly not a shill for the organizers. This was a contest of who had more money.

Because Susan Sapperstein required the buyer of the 'Flower of Lis' to pay in full, this auction was really about who had more cash and liquidity at their disposal.

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