"Of course!" Quin said, raising her head. "If you have the ability, go in on your own merits. Don’t rely on Alain to take you in."Eden nodded with a roguish smile. "That’s fine by me."She then set down her sling bag and rummaged through it until she found an invitation. Handing it to the security guard, she pointed toward Alain, Caelus, and Horace. "They’re with me."The security guard looked at the invitation in surprise. "A golden invitation? You are...?""It’s an invitation personally sent by the patriarch. Do you need to confirm it?" Eden asked."No. Please come in. I’ll guide your friends to you once they’re ready," the security guard replied respectfully.Eden nodded, then turned to Quin. "Is it alright if I rather they don’t participate in the auction this time?""I..." The security guard hesitated, his expression conflicted."It’s okay. I won’t make things difficult for you. I’ll inform the Parkers’ patriarch..." Eden began.Before she could finish, the security guar
The security guard then explained everything that had happened to Skylar, waiting for his decision.Skylar looked at Eden in surprise.He was the one who had personally written and sent out the invitation, but the person he sent it to was Liam from the Agency.The Parker family wasn’t one of Rielton’s four prominent families, and their status had been precarious for years. They had only decided to sell their family’s greatest treasure, the Bloodgod Herb, out of necessity.Skylar was certain the auction wouldn’t go smoothly, which was why he sought help from other families.The four prominent families did offer their support, but each wanted the Bloodgod Herb for themselves. They agreed to help only to prevent the herb from falling into the hands of an old-money family.He wanted the Agency’s help to maintain order at the auction, but it was difficult to contact Liam Robertson, the Agency’s point person. The Agency typically only took on information-gathering tasks or high-risk jo
If it had been anyone else, they wouldn't have spoken on behalf of the Parker family. Skylar would have made enemies with the Johnsons, and their lives would be difficult from that point on.But Eden spoke for him. Skylar didn't know how much weight her words carried, but at the very least, he didn't regret the decision he made that day.Vivian narrowed her eyes and smiled coldly. "Who do you think you are? Why should we waste our time on you?""Do I really need to introduce myself?" Eden's lips curled into a cold smile.Vivian looked down, adjusted her hair slightly, and then raised her head, her eyes icy. "Do you really think I won't touch you just because Alain's got your back? Eden, this is Rielton, not the countryside. You could lose your life at any moment."Eden smiled arrogantly, her hands in her pockets.She was about to say something else when a chilling voice interrupted from behind her. "Try touching her if you dare."Alain stepped in front of Eden, wrapping an arm a
Skylar stood behind Alain and Eden, his brows knitting together as he noticed how close they were.He hadn’t expected this woman to be Alain's fiancée. From the looks of it, Alain cared about her a lot.Normally, this wouldn’t concern him. But with the Wards involved, he had no choice but to pay attention.He didn’t want to drag the four prominent families too deeply into the auction because he wanted to ensure that whoever obtained the Bloodgod Herb did so on their own merits—in this case, those with enough money.That’s why he didn’t let the four prominent families handle security.But now, with Alain and his VIP together, the Bloodgod Herb…“Don’t worry, Mr. Skylar. The auction will proceed as planned. What you're worried about won’t happen,” Alain suddenly stopped and turned around, addressing Skylar.Skylar froze for a moment. He knew what Alain meant. He sighed in relief and smiled. “I'm sorry for having to do this.”“It’s good that you're being cautious,” Alain replied p
Eden glanced at the women before turning her attention away.There was still some time before the auction began. With nothing else to do, Eden took out her phone and started killing time by playing a game.Alain sipped his coffee calmly.Caelus and Horace had gone to the hall. Eden didn’t know why and didn’t ask.When she finished her game, Caelus and Horace returned.Caelus immediately walked over to Alain and whispered, "Mr. Wheeler is right next door."Alain’s fingers froze slightly, a glint appearing in his eyes. There was something different in his usual cold expression.Eden noticed his strange expression and frowned. "What is it?"Just then, there was a knock at the door.Caelus looked at Alain, who nodded, signaling him to open the door.As the door opened, Eden turned to look. A very handsome and graceful man entered. His eyes, in particular, seemed to hide something.Eden observed him briefly before looking away.He was attractive, but the violent aura around him
Eden threw her phone onto the table and looked at Terry coldly.Her gaze was predatory, as if she might tear him apart at any moment if she didn’t like his answer.Terry couldn’t help but instinctively freeze under her stare.The tension in the room was palpable.It took Terry a moment to collect himself before he spoke to Eden politely, "The Bloodgod Herb is useless to you. I'm willing to exchange it for even more valuable herbal materials, and I'll owe you a favor."Eden, growing impatient, propped her foot on her chair and looked at Terry like a gangster. "Is your favor worth much?""Huh?" Terry was momentarily speechless. "I think it is.""I see," Eden said with a shrug. "I don’t need it."Terry was at a loss for words.Alain, seeing Terry’s reaction, couldn’t help but laugh. "You see? My fiancée said no. I’m sorry, but I have to listen to my wife. I hope you understand.""So, you're going to snatch it from me, then?" Terry straightened up, his expression turning serious.
The host recited his opening script before finally addressing the main topic of the day. "We have six items up for auction. Five are antiques sponsored by other families, and the last is the Bloodgod Herb provided by the Parker family. I believe many of you are here for the Bloodgod Herb. Everyone knows how rare it is. Although this is an auction, the patriarch of the Parker family hopes it will go to the one who truly deserves it."The host took a deep breath before continuing, "That's why we’re increasing the number of auction items to ten. The additional four items are also rare and valuable herbal medicines, similar in appearance to the Bloodgod Herb. There will be no centerpiece in this auction, and the herbs will be auctioned off randomly. It will be up to your skills to secure the Bloodgod Herb."As soon as the host finished speaking, the entire place erupted in an uproar."What? Who has even seen a real Bloodgod Herb? How can anyone be sure they’re bidding on the right one?"
After a brief commotion, the auction proceeded as planned.Although the Parker family wasn't one of the four prominent families, some of the old-money families still had to adhere to their rules, despite their discontent.The auction was being overseen by members of the Agency. Whether it was an old-money family or one of Rielton's four prominent families, none of them wanted to cross the Agency.The first item up for auction was a pair of limited-edition earrings, designed by the famous jeweler DKL. There was only one pair like them in the world.Sponsored by the Sanders family, the starting bid for the earrings was one million dollars."Five million dollars."Quin wasted no time raising her paddle the moment she saw the earrings, immediately increasing the bidding price fivefold.When Eden heard this, she turned to look at Quin's room with a meaningful glance.Jewelry designed by DKL had always been highly coveted, and this pair of earrings quickly shot up in value, reaching