"Fine. I guess we'll see." The woman sneered, clearly hostile toward Frank and Trevor.Trevor was going to argue, but Frank stopped him. "Don't cause a mess. We're here for the auction."Trevor snorted coolly. "Well, we're letting her off easy."His business operated mainly abroad, but he still had strong influence in Draconia. How else could he have investigated the Leaf family so quickly? Meanwhile, auction items were quickly leaving the table, and the more important ones were now being presented.Soon, Frank found himself staring a fist-sized yellowed tree root, laying still in a chest cushioned in red velvet cloth."Look, Mr. Lawrence! Isn't that the Hyperion Root?!" Trevor exclaimed excitedly, not noticing the frown on Frank's face.Jenny Leaf—Bail's daughter and emcee of the auction—personally introduced the item. "Honored guests, the next item is one of my father's most precious pieces, and it's often presented for appraisal: a Hyperion Root, which represents the wood el
And today, Frank was seeing it in action with his own eyes."300 million."A youth dressed casually raised his paddle just then. For some reason, the entire auction hall soon turned silent at his call.Scratching his head nonchalantly, Tavis Holt grinned. "That Hyperion Root belongs to Hundred Bane Sect. Anyone who bids against me shall be labeled an enemy of my sect… and I'm sure everyone knows what happens after?"As Tavis looked around at those around him, everyone who met his gaze were grimacing but backed out of the bid nonetheless.No one would ever mess with the ruthless savages of Hundred Bane Sect. There was no line they would not cross. Anyone who made an enemy of them—even unknowingly—would be poisoned with a variety of oddities in each instance, and they did it without ever being caught.Naturally, there was also variety to the condition of the corpse left behind, each more creepy than the last: Some would melt instantly into a puddle of pus, while others screamed
Sif was grinning smugly.Never once was she ever afraid when it comes to competing connections!Tavis was hanging his head in turn, afraid to say a word since he knew how difficult Sif could be.Anyone who messed with her would have messed with her younger brother—the freak of Volsung Sect."Oh, he's spineless. Boring…" Sif sighed in disappointment as she returned to her seat.Then, she glanced at Frank seemingly nonchalantly.However, while she presumed that Frank would be petrified after hearing her name—falling to his knees in apology, even—Frank remained impassive.He was definitely not spooked and did not even glance her way as he sat calmly, ignoring Sif's earlier dramatics.Still, Sif soon convinced himself that Frank was just feigning calmness to save face, her disdain for Frank flaring."500 million from Ms. Lionheart. Any further bids?" Jenny asked loudly just then.However, she was scowling a little because 500 million was way lower than her expected successful bid
Trevor was certainly not afraid since Frank was backing him up.While he would give Sif and her widespread connections a wide berth on any other day, things were different now—seated beside him was the only son of Godwin Lawrence, Lord of the Southern Woods.Who were the Lionhearts in comparison?"Fine. If that's your game, I'll play along!" Sif sneered, repressing her rage as she raised her paddle. "Bid, 2 billion!"The hall was left in an uproar at the number Sif shouted.As expected of the Lionhearts and their deep pockets—they could shout such an astronomical number without batting an eye!"Ms. Lionheart has called 2 billion!" Jenny exclaimed cheerfully on stage.Then, she glanced at Frank, urging him to raise Sif in her mind."Go on! Keep bidding—don't lose to Sif!""Hmph." Trevor snorted as he raised his paddle. "2.1 billion."Sif sneered and raised hers too. "2.5 billion! Go on, challenge my coffers. I have nothing but money!" Everyone could tell that her ire was s
Meanwhile, Jenny was looking around. "Lady Lionheart's bid stands at 3 billion. Do I hear another bid?"Trevor was frowning but stayed silent instead of continuing to compete against Sif.Sif mistook it as Trevor showing weakness and was unable to compete further.Smiling with smug disdain, she asked, "Why the silence? Go on, keep bidding—let's see how much dough you have, challenging us Lionhearts.""Actually, you can have it since you like it," Frank suddenly said quietly.If anything, buying an underdeveloped Hyperion Root at three billion dollars only proved Sif's immaturity and experience."I can have it?'" Sif snorted, folding her arms before her chest. "Pretty words, but just admit you can't afford it. Do I really need your handouts? How shameless can you be?""Heh." Frank simply chuckled and refrained from arguing, since it was pointless.Still, his attitude only left Sif annoyed, and his smile left her feeling powerlessly frustrated.She was intent on seeing Frank sub
On the other hand, Trevor believed that the huge rock might have something special in it if Frank thought so highly of it."Mr. Lawrence, the stalactite…" he asked tentatively just in case.He knew for a fact that Frank had several such stalactites in his own mansion in Skywater Bay. Even if those stalactites were not as old as this one, there was no reason this particular one delighted Frank so much."We must have it!" Frank's reply was simple and determined.Naturally, Sif could see that nearby."Yes, sir!" Trevor had no reason to refuse, seeing how determined Frank was.In fact, he would bankrupt himself buying that rock just because Frank said so!Meanwhile, Jenny was smiling as she introduced, "My father's friend happened to find this milk-white stalactite while exploring a cave. It's a rare thousand-year-old stone, though we've never looked inside. The starting bid is ten million, and subsequent bids must be over a million."Though Jenny's introduction was simple, the bid
Frank inhaled deeply and told Trevor, "Keep bidding.""Sure. 400 million!" Trevor raised his paddle without hesitation."500 million." Sif smiled smugly, folding her arms before her chest as if watching Frank and Trevor make a fool of themselves."600 million!" Trevor remained impassive as he kept bidding."One billion!" Sif yawned as she countered.That was when Frank sprang to his feet, glaring at Sif as he asked coolly, "So you're bent on outbidding me for that rock, Ms. Lionheart?""No, of course not." Sif sneered as she returned Frank's jibe before, word for word. "It's an auction—I bid, and an item is bought. Is there a rule that no one must bid against you?" Frank scowled harder, snorting as he turned toward Jenny and bellowed, "Two billion!"Then, he wheeled on Sif and growled quietly. "I will have that rock today. Try to outbid me if you can.""Heh. Did you think I'd let you off easy after you raised the bid for the Hyperion Root earlier?" Sif smiled despite herse
Everyone around Sif was silenced by her outburst—she was still an heiress of the Lionhearts, and no one would ever dare challenge her."Just you wait!" Sif snorted as she glared viciously at Frank.Frank merely gave her an innocent look, leaving her further frustrated.-Soon, the next auction item—an emerald pearl—was brought up onstage."My father collected this from the South Sea, and it was after much prospecting that we found out it's a miraculous gem that promotes longevity," Jenny spoke.A hint of bitterness appeared on her face as she remembered that her father died of sudden natural causes—fat good longevity did.Shaking her head, Jenny composed herself and said, "Bidding starts at 20 million, and each raise is set at 2 million. Bidding starts now!"Sif chuckled coolly when Jenny was finished. "Wait, that pearl? It's not that rare… I guess the Leaf family really has nothing good in their collection… Eh?"While Sif was being dismissive, Frank was suddenly frowning agai