Conan Rick's Investigator

But considering business is Suzuki Jirokichi's business, what does it have to do with her as an appraiser?

Their intuition told them that there must be some secret here.

"The password... If I had known this earlier, I would have looked around for hints when copying it."

Kuroba Kaito scratched his head in annoyance. The feeling of having the secret right in front of him but unable to get it was more uncomfortable than having a gem hidden in a glass cabinet.

But at this time, Terai Huangzhisuke took out another USB flash drive from his arms.

"This is the universal code-breaking software invented by my PhD friend. It can crack some simple program codes."

Qin Zhibo frowned as he watched Terai Huang Zhisuke plug the USB drive into the computer.

Doctor, what exactly are you researching behind the scenes?

In fact, Qin Zhibo didn't know that this was a program developed by Dr. Agasa to deal with the Black Organization's floppy disk.

After running the program on the USB flash drive, Qin Zhibo realized that this so-called universal password cracker was not advanced at all. In fact, it was just a pre-written program that quickly tested all possible password combinations.

This method cannot be used for password programs that have a trial-and-error limit.

But the document encryption method of this plan happens to be the kind that allows unlimited trial and error.

After waiting for a few minutes, the document's password box suddenly trembled and then disappeared from the screen.

"opened!"

As the contents of the "plan" were revealed, Qin Zhibo, Kuroba Kaito, and Terai Kōnosuke couldn't help but widen their eyes.

"This is……"

【Proposal：

1. After the successful auction of Suzuki Jirokichi, he took the opportunity of appraisal to apply magnesium powder on the frame of "Sunflower".

2. After the press conference, he quietly approached "Sunflower" during transportation, bribed the staff to divert Ishimine Taizo's attention, and poured a proper amount of water into the box.

3. During transportation, the humidity inside the box continued to rise, causing the magnesium powder to become damp and burn, burning "Sunflower".

...]

The three of them looked at every word on the "plan" and realized that this was actually a criminal plan!

There are people who actually write down what’s in their heart!

unbelievable!

The key point is that this criminal plan was placed so clearly in the "Sunflower" folder, without even hiding it.

If I had shown the same enthusiasm as boys in hiding study materials in their computers, I guess it wouldn't have been exposed.

"What...what should I do?"

The sudden change made Kuroba Kaito completely helpless.

Qin Zhibo held his chin in thought for a moment, then analyzed, "Judging from this plan, she will take action tomorrow after the auction is successful."

"Then I can catch the perpetrator red-handed. All I have to do is protect Sunflowers."

"But I can't get the secret of the second and fifth 'Sunflowers' from her. It seems that you are the only one who can do it..."

Qin Zhibo discussed with Kuroba Kaito again and confirmed the next plan.

However, the two of them did not make the same mistake as Natsumi Miyadai, and all the plans were in their heads.

……

The next day, 7pm.

Qin Zhibo arrived early at the lounge in Building 1 of the World Trade Center and met with Suzuki Sonoko and others.

After a night of rest and recuperation, everyone was full of energy and waiting for Suzuki Jirokichi to auction off "Sunflowers".

Qin Zhibo glanced at Gongtai Xiamei secretly. She still carried her laptop with her today.

Now, there’s no need to even search for evidence.

After a while, the staff of the auction exhibition came in to announce that people from the Suzuki Group could enter.

Since Qin Zhibo had previously told Sonoko that he wanted to experience the atmosphere of the auction up close, Suzuki Jirokichi brought Suzuki Sonoko, Qin Zhibo and two bodyguards from the Suzuki Group into the VIP box.

The auction box is not big, and the seats in the front can only accommodate two people, which are naturally the exclusive seats for Suzuki Jirokichi and Suzuki Sonoko.

Qin Zhibo stood in the back unobtrusively, with two bodyguards guarding the door at the back.

The auction officially began with the sound of beautiful classical music.

A host in a suit and tie first came up to give an opening speech, introduced the theme of this auction exhibition "Chords of Life", as well as several guests present, and then officially started the auction.

One after another, exquisite works of art are put on stage for auction. Although there seems to be no pattern, in fact, each treasure appears at its most appropriate time.

Over a two-hour period, with a break in between, more than 30 auctions were held, covering categories such as paintings, sculptures, and ancient porcelain.

Most of the treasures were successfully auctioned, but there were a few treasures that no one was interested in, and no one even raised the reserve price, so they eventually failed to sell.

Finally, after a long and lukewarm auction, the highlight of the day finally arrived.

"The next item is the last treasure of our auction, and it will also be the main attraction."

"It is a world-famous painting and also a priceless treasure in human history."

"That's right! It's the work of Vincent van Gogh, 'Sunflowers,' which people once thought was completely lost!"

As the auctioneer extended his hand, the red curtain next to him slowly fell.

A picture of sunflowers framed in a golden frame blooming in the bright light immediately attracted the collective exclamations of photographers.

"How come there is this picture of sunflowers?"

"I remember this painting of sunflowers was destroyed in the war a long time ago? But why..."

There were voices of doubt from the audience, and they couldn't believe the sunflowers in front of them.

In fact, the viewing process of the auction requires verification of assets. One must have enough assets to buy the sunflower to be eligible to view the sample.

So it’s normal that these photographers in the audience didn’t know that there were sunflowers tonight.

In the VIP box, Suzuki Jirokichi had already raised the corners of his mouth, revealing a determined smile.

This is the role of money power.

If they didn't have enough money, these people wouldn't even know that Sunflower would appear tonight, let alone compete with him, the top spender.

The authoritative expert on the stage briefly introduced the origin and appraisal results of the sunflower painting, and the auctioneer began the bidding.

"Now, please bring new life to this sunflower!"

"A second 'Sunflowers' by Vincent van Gogh. Starting bid: $1 million. Increments must be at least $10... Bidding begins!"

As soon as the auctioneer finished speaking, someone at the scene shouted.

“2 million US dollars!”

The first bid directly doubled the reserve price!

This is enough to show the importance of "Sunflowers" in the hearts of photographers.

However, shouting like this actually shows that you are not that confident about the money you have and want to scare off other competitors with a fixed price.

Sure enough, as soon as the price was called out, it was immediately refreshed by another bidder in less than two seconds.

"Twenty and a half million!"

"Fifty million!"

Suddenly, the voice of a blond tycoon resounded in the venue, and there was an uproar. This price had already exceeded the last sunflower auction.

In less than ten seconds, the record was broken!

After calling out a price of 50 million, the blond tycoon clapped his hands complacently, looking like no one else could do it better than him.

However, at this moment, a mature and heroic voice came from the direction of the VIP box.

"1 million!"

"I'll give you $1 million!"

The person who made the move was Suzuki Jirokichi.

He clenched his fists and pounded the table angrily. Suzuki Sonoko next to him could only hold up the sign helplessly like a hostess.

When the price of 1 million appeared, there was an uproar at the scene.

The photographer below turned around and saw the old man in Japanese kimono, and immediately searched in his mind to find out who he was.

The auctioneer was one step faster. He entered the number of the bidder into the computer and immediately obtained the other party's identity information. It was the famous international buyer - Jirokichi Suzuki.

The auctioneer calmed himself and continued to speak calmly.

"Is there anyone offering 1 million? 1 million..."

"Then let's see if there are any outside buyers who would like to bid..."

The auctioneer originally thought that at this point, Jirokichi Suzuki had already won the game without a doubt.

However, at this moment, Suzuki Jirokichi pounded the table and shouted again.

“No need to wait for outside buyers to bid!”

"3 million!"

"I'll give you $3 million!"

This time, Suzuki Jirokichi stood up directly, with an even more ferocious aura and so much confidence that the entire auction hall could hear it clearly.

This lavish operation left Qin Zhibo standing next to him dumbfounded. Is this called an auction?

Increase the price yourself?

Suzuki Jirokichi sat down complacently and said to Sonoko next to him, "I never like to waste time on shopping, so I'll just cut the Gordian knot."

Suzuki Sonoko: "Shopping..."

"3 million!"

"VIP No. 705 bids 3 million!"

Obviously, the auctioneer on the stage was also shocked by Suzuki Jirokichi and couldn't believe his ears.

This directly broke the record for all-time art sales!

It seems that this auction is no longer a suspense!

Just as the auctioneer was excitedly preparing to drop the hammer, a calm voice suddenly rang out in the venue.

"I will pay 4 billion."

Chapter 1024 Suzuki Group vs. Black Organization

"I will pay 4 billion."

The owner of this voice was not as aggressive as Suzuki Jirokichi, but once he spoke, it was like thunder out of the blue, and the whole audience suddenly fell silent.

Faced with Suzuki Jirokichi's "crazy" behavior of raising the price by 2 million, any rational person would not dare to follow him.

Even if you want to follow, you should first check whether your wallet allows it.

The transaction price of US$3 million is unprecedented in the history of famous painting auctions and is unlikely to be surpassed in the future.

However, someone easily broke this price again.

Everyone turned their heads towards the direction where the sound came from. It was another VIP box also located on the second floor.

"That one is..."

"He's the largest art buyer on the East Coast, Mr. Carl!"

The blond rich man who had bid 50 million earlier recognized the owner of the box.

Qin Zhibo looked slightly outward and saw a slightly remote location on the circular box floor.

The man sitting on the chair in a black suit and a top hat was none other than Carl Sandford, the head of the Arkham Success Club.

He is here too?