By the end of the auction, unsurprisingly, every single lot belonged to Ethan.
Not one was left.
From the first item, The Pink Heart, to the final highlight, everything had been taken by him.
The wealthy guests who had arrived from all over to show their strength at this auction had collectively become decoration.
Could they be angry but unable to speak?
No.
They did not even dare be angry.
They had to applaud together and congratulate Ethan, praising his taste and eye.
Watching the scene, Ethan finally understood a sentence.
When you succeed, everyone around you becomes kind.
As for the original sellers, whose items had gone for far below their expected prices?
They had no complaints.
Not only no complaints, they were grateful that Ethan had chosen to buy their items at all.
If this created even the slightest connection with such a mysterious figure, that would be better than money.
Being noticed by Ethan was itself a kind of recognition.
In the future, they would have more confidence when bragging over drinks.
Soon, the auction ended.
Guests stood and left one after another.
Many wanted to approach Ethan and introduce themselves, but they feared doing something wrong and being remembered badly.
Besides, Vivian West was beside him.
Going over now would be no different from becoming a bright unwanted lamp between them.
The sensible ones gave up.
Ethan stood and stretched.
His bones gave two soft cracks.
He looked at Vivian and saw her still lowering her head to use her phone.
He tapped the back of her chair.
"What are you talking about so seriously? The auction is over."
Vivian looked up, turned off the screen, and left her seat.
"Didn't you say before that you wanted to meet my best friend?"
"And?"
"She knows about us now," Vivian said. "She wants to meet you too. She plans to organize dinner after work tonight. Do you want to go?"
She added, "Of course, if you don't want to, I won't force you."
"I'll go. Of course I'll go."
Ethan answered so readily that there was no hesitation at all.
To be honest, Ethan was very curious.
When Celeste saw that the man she had despised most had become her best friend's boyfriend, what expression would she make?
Vivian's question had been unnecessary.
Vivian stared at him silently, brows drawing together.
"Why are you so excited?"
She narrowed her eyes, suddenly alert.
"You're acting suspicious."
Ethan spread his hands, entirely righteous.
"Having dinner with the two most beautiful women in Northbridge. Isn't it normal to be happy?"
He stepped closer.
"Under those circumstances, if a man isn't excited, forgive me for saying this..."
He deliberately stopped.
Vivian frowned.
"What?"
Ethan smiled wickedly and lowered his gaze meaningfully.
"Either something is wrong in that department, or he prefers men."
Vivian froze.
Then she pushed his chest with one hand.
"Get out."
She rolled her eyes, but the corner of her mouth kept rising.
The ridiculous thing was that she almost found his logic reasonable.
After that, the two walked out of Tennant Auction House arm in arm.
Ethan looked down at the hand Vivian had looped around his arm and teased, "Miss West, you're getting skilled at holding hands."
He pressed his advantage.
"Yesterday, someone was trying to keep eight feet away from me. What happened? Fallen already?"
Vivian glanced at him, calm and straight-faced.
"I know I'm weak and that someone here has frightening power. Since I can't resist, I can only compromise and accept my fate."
Her tone was serious.
Her expression was playful.
Ethan pretended to be surprised.
"Accept your fate? Excellent."
His eyes brightened as if he were eager.
"I'll book a hotel right now. Let's make this irreversible tonight."
Vivian lifted a hand to her forehead and sighed.
"Can you stay serious for a little longer? Just a little. Five minutes. No, three."
She lowered the standard herself.
"What's unserious about liking someone and wanting them?" Ethan asked with perfect confidence.
Vivian opened her mouth.
For once, she could not find a response.
Seeing her speechless, Ethan laughed even harder.
"All right. I won't tease you."
He waved a hand, knowing when to stop.
"I don't like forcing women."
Then he tilted his head and lowered his voice.
"Between us, honestly, I prefer it when the woman takes the lead and pushes me down first."
Vivian pointed at herself in disbelief.
"You mean me? Take the lead and push you down?"
She laughed.
"Next life."
"Not necessarily," Ethan said. "Miss West, don't speak too early. Be careful of getting slapped by reality."
His eyes and tone both carried the words inevitable victory.
Vivian laughed again and did not bother answering.
She admitted Ethan was attractive.
But not to that degree.
Push him down first?
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
As they talked, they walked out of the auction house.
At the entrance, a silver supercar waited under the lights.
Its body was low and smooth, reflecting a cold metallic sheen.
Beside the car stood Leonard Blackwell.
Vivian recognized him immediately.
He stood respectfully, like an employee waiting for inspection.
When Ethan appeared, Leonard's eyes lit up.
He hurried forward.
"Mr. Cole."
Then he offered a key with both hands.
The transparent protective film was still on it.
Clearly a new car.
"A small token of apology. Please accept it."
Ethan looked at the key, then at the supercar.
"At least you're sensible."
He did not refuse.
He took the key and weighed it in his hand.
Seeing Ethan accept the gift, Leonard visibly relaxed.
He glanced at Vivian and said tactfully, "Then I won't disturb you and Miss West."
He retreated several steps with his head lowered, then left without daring to stay another second.
Ethan walked to the supercar and opened the passenger door for Vivian.
"Miss West, please."
Vivian accepted the invitation, stepped in, and fastened her seat belt.
The leather seat wrapped around her firmly and carried the scent of a brand-new car.
Ethan walked around to the driver's side and got in.
The moment his hands touched the wheel, a sudden clarity filled him.
It came from another system reward.
Max-level driving.
Not just cars.
Any machine that required driving or piloting.
Planes.
Fighter jets.
Helicopters.
Yachts.
Cruise ships.
Submarines.
Even rockets.
As long as he made contact, he would instantly possess max-level mastery.
This was the perfect chance to test it.
Ethan started the car and pressed the accelerator.
The engine roared.
The supercar shot forward like an arrow from a bow.
In the passenger seat, Vivian thought for a moment and pulled out her phone.
The car looked familiar.
She opened the browser, entered a few keywords, and searched.
The result appeared quickly.
Author's Note:
This story will continue updating here.
If you want to read more, you can unlock it here:
/c/TYMercer
Thank you for reading.