"This is the first auction item today!" the lady said. Then a rolling table was pushed in by two attendants. On the table was an object covered with a black cloth. The lady stared at the crowd and continued speaking professionally.
"This is the Mermaid Vase!" she announced. As she said so, the cloth was removed by the two attendants, revealing a beautiful, transparent ocean-blue vase. Though it looked clear, as if someone were looking directly into the ocean itself, its interior remained a complete mystery.
"It is said that with this vase nearby, gaining immortality is as vast and endless as the ocean... the starting price is thirteen million... let the bidding start!" she shouted.
"15 million!"
"20 million!"
"25 million!"
People started bidding, but Nova just stared at the vase with zero interest. "Immortality, my foot," she thought, rolling her eyes.
Cassian, who was busy playing with Nova’s hair, leaned in. "Do you want it, darling?" he asked gently.
"I’m not interested in it," Nova replied simply.
"Alright," Cassian replied and continued playing with her hair.
Dora stared at Nova. Noticing her complete lack of interest in the vase, she frowned slightly, dissatisfied that Nova wasn’t engaging.
"Sixty million!" Dora bid, her gaze still locked on Nova. To her disappointment, Nova didn’t even spare her a glance, leaving Dora to clench her jaw tightly.
"VIP number 4 bids 60 million once!"
"VIP number 4 bids 60 million twice!"
"VIP number 4 bids 60 million a third time!"
"Sold!"
"Congratulations to VIP number 4!"
The lady shouted, and the vase was delivered to Dora, who swiped her card for payment. After the payment was confirmed, the lady continued.
"Let’s move to the second item... this is a Beauty Pill. It can not only make a lady beautiful, but also restore her youth. It is the only one that exists in the whole world, and its effects have been tested and confirmed. The starting bid is 60 million! Let the bidding start!"
Dora’s eyes widened as she stared at the glowing pill on display. "If I can get this pill, wouldn’t I stay young forever?" she thought. She glanced at Nova, only to realize Nova wasn’t bothered with the pill at all, busy being affectionate and smiling with Cassian.
"Well, she’s already too beautiful anyway. If she still wanted this pill, that would just be greedy," Dora thought, looking away. "I bid 90 million!" she stated.
The whole hall went silent immediately; no one raised the bid higher.
"90 million once!"
"90 million twice!"
"90 million a third time!"
"Sold! Congratulations to VIP number 4!"
A satisfied smile appeared on Dora’s lips as the pill was delivered to her. She gently caressed the box and closed it, handling it carefully like the rarest treasure.
"Next is the Eternal love Ring!"
The spotlight shone on a glowing, exquisitely crafted black ring stored inside a large, transparent box filled with water, floating effortlessly on the surface. Crafted from a dark, pitch-black metal, the band was intricately carved with delicate, overlapping dark obsidian rose thorns that subtly caught the light, gleaming with an understated, mysterious elegance.
Seeing the ring, Cassian’s eyes widened with interest.
"This is the Eternal love Ring, symbolizing eternal love... starting bid is 110 million! Let the bidding start!"
"200 million!" Cassian bid before anyone else could speak, stunning the entire room.
Dora stared at Cassian and clenched her fists. "He definitely wants to give it to her. No, it has to be mine," she thought, immediately raising the bid.
"250 million!"
Cassian’s brows knitted slightly. Without sparing Dora a glance, he bid, "350 million!"
Dora bit her lower lip. "500 million!"
Nova looked at Dora and then at Cassian. "This driving up of the price only benefits the auction house," she murmured, rubbing her forehead.
"1 billion!" Cassian bid.
Dora closed her eyes, trying to remain calm. "You are really determined to get this ring for her, aren’t you, Cassian?" she thought, opening her eyes, which were already red from holding back tears.
"1 billion once!"
"1 billion twice!"
"1 billion a third time!"
"Sold! Congratulations to VIP number 2!"
The black ring was delivered to Cassian. He picked it up and immediately slid it onto Nova’s ring finger. "For you, my love," he whispered.
Nova stared at the black ring, which felt cool around her finger. She looked at Cassian and flashed him a sweet smile. "I love it, thank you," she said, pressing a kiss to his lips.
Cassian chuckled, wrapping his arm around her waist, feeling proud of himself.
Dora gritted her teeth, watching Nova and Cassian together.
"Next is the Human bodyguard!"
A huge iron cage was carried onto the stage by several men. A thick canvas cloth covered it completely, making it impossible to see what was inside.
The cage shook violently as soon as it was set on the floor, making everyone quickly realize that whatever was trapped inside was a living creature.
"Don’t panic, everyone! This is a unique human specimen found recently. He possesses the special ability to control people’s minds for up to two hours, and he can fight off thousands of enemies without growing tired!"
"Of course, he was successfully subdued because during his five hours of sleep, he becomes completely powerless and defenseless. Killing him then is as easy as killing a chicken. However, he rarely sleeps, which makes him the ultimate bodyguard!"
"Starting bid is 20 million! Let the bidding start!"
"Hold on! The starting price is surprisingly low. What’s wrong with him? Remove the cloth and let us see him!" someone in the crowd shouted.
The lady stared at the bidder who had spoken. "He can only be revealed to his buyer," she replied smoothly.
"I bet something is wrong with him! Otherwise, why are you afraid to show him? If you can’t reveal him, take him away and auction something else!" another person commented.
The lady was about to respond when she received a message through her earpiece. She nodded lightly and smiled.
"Afraid of revealing him? Of course we aren’t," she replied, signaling to the guards around the cage to pull off the cloth.
They nodded and yanked the heavy cloth away, revealing the figure inside.
Everyone’s eyes widened in shock.
Inside the cage was a shirtless man covered in brutal scars and dried blood. His glowing, electric-blue eyes flared with pure hatred, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. His long red hair seemed to move with a life of its own.
Nova, who was still admiring the black ring on her finger, suddenly felt a sharp, unbearable ache in her chest. She snapped her head toward the stage, and her heart stopped beating instantly.
[Ding]
[Alarm! Alarm!]
[System in danger! System overheating!]
The alarm kept blaring inside Nova’s mind, yet she remained frozen in a complete trance, staring at the man while her heart remained still.
The red-haired man noticed her intense gaze. Tracing the source across the room, he froze. His expression turned just as shocked as Nova’s.
"M... Mother!" he stuttered, desperately slamming his body against the iron bars to break free, even as his strength was heavily suppressed.