chapter 113
The hall fro24.
“Three hundred million.”
The calm, steady fernale voice cut through the silence like a biode
For a second, no one reacted.
Then-
A wave of shock rippled through the entire hall
Everyone turned toward the VIP section at the same time.
A graceful woman had risen from her seat.
Director Reyes,
Mrs. Reyes,
The moment her identity was recognized, the atmosphere changed completely.
She
Reyes…”
y joined in…”
undred million… just like that…”
Even the hostess froze for a brief moment before quickly regaining her composure.
Catherine’s breath caught. “Director Reyes…”
Adrian slowly turned his head,
His eyes met hers across the crowd.
Their gazes locked.
In that instant, he understood.
She’s ending this.
Not just the bidding.
The confrontation.
The silent war between him and Evans Coles.
Across the hall, Evans Coles’s smile slowly faded.
Then he laughed.
A low, slow laugh, filled with meaning
So that’s how it is,” he said softly.
**e leaned back in his seat, his fingers tapping lightly against the armrest, his eyes sharp as he looked from Mrs Reyes to Adrian.
“So you’re the one behind him.”
The words were light.
But the pressure behind them was heavy.
The crowd didn’t dare to breathe too loudly.
Everyone knew-
If Evans raised the price again, this would no longer be an auction.
It would become a real clash between powers.
The hostess finally spoke, her voice slightly tense.
“Director Reyes has offered three hundred million. Is there anyone willing to raise the price further?”
Silence.
All eyes turned to Evans Coles.
He remained seated, calm, unreadable.
Several seconds passed.
Then, he slowly raised his head.
“Director Reyes,” he said with a faint smile, “you really care about this gold.”
Mrs. Reyes returned his gaze calmly. “I care about the outcome.”
Evans laughed.
“Interesting.”
He stood up slowly, adjusted his suit, and looked at Adrian again.
“This time,” he said, “I’ll give you this.”
Then he looked at the hostess.
“I withdraw.”
The hall erupted.
A huge wave of noise swept through the room.
Even Cathenne fest her legs weaken slightly.
But before anyone could fully relax, the hostess turned to Adrian.
“And you, sir?” she asked. “Do you wish to continue?”
The hall quieted again.
All eyes fixed on Ar
Elena’s hand
Catherin
Adri
d tightly at her sides.
heart in her throat.
ediately.
H
ak
Mrs. Reyes again
ked at him st
drian lower
raw,”
hen did t
ostess
en the
hall.
ed her voice.
Reyes!”
ce suddenly appeared.
es stood up abruptly.
“Wait,” he said toudly “Three hundred million for one piece of gold? Don’t you think this is absurd? How do we even know this gold is truly worth this price?
The ball stirred again:
Some people nodded.
Others whispered
The hostess frowned slightly.
But before she could answer, Mrs. Reyes spoke.
Her voice was calm, but firm.
This is not being bought for its weight,” she said. “It is being bought for what it represents
sed, then added, “And more important am paying for peace.”
meaning behind her words made sevi ople’s expressions change.
The applause had not even fully settl
Please remain seated.”
The noise in the hall slowly
Many people were still drifting toward Dire
But the hostes
- n.
the hostess raised her hand again.
g the previous bidding war in low voices, their eyes unconsciously and the piece of gold that had just cost three hundred million.
is made everyone straighten in their seats.
“The night
A rippl
the crowd.
“This
continued, “was prepared with more
ne special event.”
and another group of servants
were no large trays.
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carefully in both hands.
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The hostese closed the box
“What will be wotioned is not this sample, she said. “But something directly related to it.”
She turned, and another servant placed a long, thin case on the table.
The case was opened,
Inside was a metal access card
“An entry pass, the hostess announced, “to the restricted research vault where the Blue Source Serum is stored”
The hall went completely mad
“An access pass?!”
“That means–whoever gets it can enter and negotiate directly!”
“That’s more valuable than the serum itself!”
Catherine’s breath caught.
Even Evans Coles’s posture changed.
The hostess raised her voice.
“This round will be limited to ten participants only.”
She paused.
“To enter, you must first pay a qualification f*e of fifty million.”
Gasps erupted.
“Just to enter?!”
“That’s insane!”
“Only ten people can even afford to try!”
Her gaze swept the hall.
Adnan’s trygg
Evans / Cary
LUCAS PANER
12
*sed the fans selected participates in a quieter, guarded section of the hall. Each person and generate booth, seperated by tall screens. They could not see each other. They could not hear
Cly the hostess and the record keepers moved between them
“round” the hostess announced, “will be conducted in three stages”
each stage, you will submit a sealed bid.”
The lowest bidder will be eliminated”
The servants distributed special bidding tablets.
The atmosphere became suffocating
Inside his booth, Adrian sat calmly, his eyes fixed on the tablet in front of him.
Across the hall, in another booth, Evans Coles leaned back lazily, one hand tapping against the table.
Lucas sat stiffly,
His jaw was tight.
This is insane, he thought.
million just to enter.
now this.
He hadn’t planned to go this far.
But…
Adrian is still in.
His eyes darkened.
I can’t be the first one to fall.
The hostess’s voice echoed.
“First round. Begin.”
Pens moved.
Numbers were written.
Tablets were sealed and handed out.
Minutes later, the results were announced.
“The lowest bidder is eliminated.”
A screen at the front lit up.
A name appeared.
A wealthy merchant from the south.
His face turned pale as he was escorted out.
Nine remained.
Second round.
The tension rose.
Sweat appeared on foreheads.
In one of the booths, a thin man in a dark suit was breathing a little too fast.
His eyes kept darting to the side.
When the attendants weren’t looking, he quietly took out a small device and slipped it under the table.
A faint light flashed.
He was trying to intercept the system.
Trying to read others‘ bids.
He smiled.
As long as I’m not the lowest…
The second round ended.
Another person was eliminated.
Eight remained.
But just as the third round was about to begin, a sudden alarm beeped.
The hostess’s expression changed.
“What’s going on?”
One of the technicians rushed over, checking the system.
His face darkened.
“Someone tried to interfere with the bidding system.”
The hall stirred.
The hostess’s voice turned cold.
“Bring him out.”
Guards moved.
Within seconds, the thin man was dragged out of his booth.
His face was white.
“1–I didn’t-”
“Disqualify him,” the hostess said without hesitation. “And ban him from all future events.”
He was dragged away.
Seven remained.
The atmosphere became even heavier.
Lucas swallowed.
Damn it… even cheating is this risky.
Another round began.
Then another.
Six left.
Then five.
The numbers on the bids climbed higher and higher.
Each round was more brutal than the last.
Lucas’s hands were starting to sweat.
His breathing became heavier.
This wasn’t just money anymore.
This was bleeding.
He looked at his tablet.
Then at the number he had written.
His jaw clenched.
If this keeps going…
His phone suddenly vibrated.
3/7
He froze
He glanced at it.
Father
His heart skipped.
He stood up slightly and said to the attendant, “The signal is bad in here. I need to take this.”
Without waiting for permission, he stepped out to the side corridor.
He answered the call.
“Do you have any idea what you’re doing?!” his father’s furious voice roared.
“I just got news. You’re competing in the bank’s banquet?”
Lucas’s face tightened. “It’s not what you think—”
“Not what I think?!” his father snapped. “Do you plan to bankrupt the family tonight?! Do you know how much you’ve already thrown in?!”
Lucas clenched his fist.
“This is about face,” his father said coldly. “Do you want everyone to know what happened in Medical City? Is this how you plan to cover your disgrace?”
Lucas’s breathing grew heavy.
“Of you removed any money from that account. I will free you access immediately” his father said.
The line went dead.
Lucas stood there for a moment, staring at his phone, his chest tight as if something heavy was
pressing against it.
He took a deep breath and slipped the phone back into his pocket before walking back inside.
By the time he returned to his booth, his face was calm again, expressionless.
But inside, he was burning.
His gaze swept across the booths.
Adrian was still in.
Lucas’s eyes darkened, his jaw tightening slowly.
When Lucas returned to his booth, the next round was already about to begin.
He straightened and raised his bidding tablet.
“I’m still in,” he said calmly.
The hostess turned and looked at him.
Her expression was cold.
“I’m afraid you are not.”
Lucas frowned. “What do you mean?”
“You left the bidding area without permission and without a valid explanation,” she said flatly. “You have violated the rules of this round.”
The hall stirred.
“That means,” she continued, “you are disqualified.”
Lucas’s face darkened instantly.
“What kind of rule is that?” he snapped. “I only stepped out for a moment.”
“The rules were explained clearly before the round began,” the hostess replied without emotion. “Once you leave, you forfeit your qualification.”
Lucas clenched his fists, his face full of anger.
“So that’s it? You’re just kicking me out like this?”
“Yes.”
Several people looked at him with sympathy.
Others looked with hidden relief.
Lucas stared at the hostess for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed coldly.
“Fine,” he said. “Your broken rules, your broken game.”
He turned and walked away, his steps heavy, his shoulders tense, looking like a man furious to the core.
But inside-
He was relieved.
At least the account won’t be frozen.
At least Father won’t kill me.
As soon as he reached the outer lounge, Sophia and Margaret rushed over.
“What happened?” Sophia asked anxiously. “Why did you come out?”
“You’re out already?” Margaret asked in disbelief.
Lucam sighed and rutked his terrgyle 1 had to take a call. They sad i broke the rutes”
Thare #7 Sopkin frowned, “that’s unf
Margaret quickly said, “Don’t worry. There will be other rounds. You can join again later
Lucas shook his head 1 probably won’t stay long.”
“Why?” Sophia asked.
“My father called,” Lucas said casually. “There’s a big deal waiting for me tomorrow morning. A very big one.”
Their eyes lit up.
“You’re getting another deal?” Sophia asked excitedly.
Lucas smiled faintly. “I was supposed to leave tonight, actually. But I stayed because of you two.”
Margaret grabbed his arm happily. “You’re getting higher and higher these days!”
Sophia laughed. “At this rate, you’ll surpass everyone soon.”
Then she glanced toward the inner hall and lowered her voice.
“Unlike some people,” she said, her eyes flashing with jealousy. “Adrian is just using some stolen supreme card to act big,” she said coldly. “If that thing is exposed, everything he’s doing tonight will turn into a joke.”
She turned to Lucas suddenly.
“Do you want me to ruin this for him?”
Lucas looked at her.
Margaret blinked. “What do you mean? How would you even do that?”
Sophia’s lips curved into a mysterious smile. “Just trust me.”
Then she looked back at Lucas. “But before that, what will you give me if I succeed?”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
She smiled wider. “The latest Louis Vuitton bag.”
Lucas laughed lightly. “Deal.”
Margaret’s eyes widened. “You’re serious?”
Sophia was already smiling like she had everything planned.
“Just watch.”
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
