"Master Christopher, may I have this honour to invite you to the auction tomorrow?" She asked, her smile radiant, a carefully crafted expression designed to charm.
"..uh?"
Christopher's response was a mere grunt, a flicker of confusion crossing his features.
"....."
"...."
Everyone present was rendered speechless, their reactions ranging from stunned disbelief to thinly veiled curiosity. Chloe, however, remained unfazed, her composure unwavering.
"I received reliable information that a rare beast egg will be auctioned," she continued, her voice smooth and persuasive. "Perhaps Master Christopher might find it of interest. And even better, you will be going with me."
She punctuated her statement with a subtle emphasis on the 'me', a clear invitation.
'Do you think you're a goddess or something?' Christopher thought, a flicker of irritation momentarily marring his stoic expression. He glanced over his shoulder at Advika, his gaze lingering.
'But if a rare beast is being auctioned, Advika might need it...' he mused, a calculation forming in his mind.
'And with my unfrozen account, I have at least 100 million in it... I think that will be sufficient. If not, I can always retrieve my Supreme card from the bank, which has unlimited funds... Of course, as a supreme tamer, a world legend, I won't be impoverished.' He nodded slowly, making a decision.
Katherine, observing the exchange, was consumed by a quiet confusion. 'What is Chloe doing? The Valhalla family has been invited, and there's no way my brother won't attend... So what is her plan? Going with him?'
"Ok... That's a good idea," Christopher finally responded, his voice measured. "But I already have a companion to go with."
He moved to the side, his movements fluid and deliberate, and grasped Advika's waist, pulling her towards him with an unexpected possessiveness.
"You!!"
Advika's reaction was immediate, a sharp intake of breath followed by a frozen stillness. Her expression darkened, a storm brewing in her blue eyes.
Chloe and the rest of the onlookers turned their gazes to the pink-haired girl, their eyebrows raised in silent inquiry.
"Who is this girl?" someone whispered, their voice laced with curiosity.
"I heard she is from the countryside," another added, their tone laced with a hint of disdain.
"Uh? Why would Master Christopher like someone from the countryside?" a third questioned, their confusion palpable.
"Shhh... She might be his girlfriend, watch your words, or Master Christopher will be angry," a more cautious voice warned.
"Yes, we can't afford to offend Master Christopher," another agreed, their tone filled with deference.
Hearing the whispers swirling around her, Advika's face flushed, her expression a mixture of mortification and simmering anger.
"Oh," Chloe muttered, her smile faltering slightly. "Hi, Advika... I had no idea Master Christopher already had a companion for the auction. I hope we can be friends."
She extended her hand towards Advika, her smile returning, a picture of polite congeniality.
'This bastard!! When did I agree to go anywhere with you!! If you want a shield, get someone else!! Why do you have to drag me into this mess? Now the whole school will misunderstand our master and disciple relationship! When we are alone, you will see what I will do to you!' Advika thought, her inner monologue a torrent of frustration.
'I will just give you face!' she added, forcing a light chuckle and taking Chloe's hand. "No worries, Miss Chloe."
Chloe nodded, retracting her hand, and turned to Christopher. "I will see you guys at the auction then." With that, she turned and began to walk away. "Katherine, we need to discuss," she added over her shoulder.
"Yeah! Coming!" Katherine smiled at her brother, a hint of playful curiosity in her eyes, and followed Chloe.
__
"Uh? So she is Master Christopher's girlfriend?" Angus asked, turning to Adonis, who leaned against Christopher's sleek Lexus, his expression a picture of nonchalant coolness.
"How would I know that? I just brought the car over," Adonis replied, his tone dismissive.
'I am also confused, it seems I will have to find out... If she is really his girlfriend, I will have to look after her in the academy,' Adonis thought, his brow furrowed in contemplation.
Christopher, ignoring the lingering stares of the stunned students, grasped Advika's wrist and walked towards Adonis and Angus.
"The car keys," he stated, his voice devoid of any room for argument.
"No brother... You worked hard, I should drive today," Adonis countered, pushing himself upright with a charming smile.
Christopher stared at him, a slight frown creasing his forehead, but nodded in acquiescence. "Ok..."
He opened the car door and slid inside, then turned to Advika, his voice flat. "Get in."
"Why would I?" she retorted, her tone icy.
"Just get inside."
Christopher snapped his fingers, and an unseen force propelled Advika, throwing her into the car.
"AAH!"
She landed on Christopher's lap, her surprise and anger palpable.
"...!"
Adonis and Angus, witnessing the scene from outside, raised their eyebrows in unison.
"You!!"
Advika scrambled to sit up, her face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and fury. She turned to open the door, but Christopher had sealed it with his life force, rendering it immovable.
"Why isn't this door opening?!" she muttered, her frustration mounting as she struggled with the handle.
"Just sit still," Christopher commanded, his voice firm.
She turned to him, her eyes blazing. "You! What are you planning?!"
CLICK!
Adonis entered the car, settling into the driver's seat. He started the engine and turned to Christopher. "So where to, Elder brother?"
"To Cordelia bank."
"Uh?"
Adonis and Advika exchanged confused glances.
"Just drive," Christopher repeated, his tone leaving no room for debate.
"Right!"
Adonis shifted the car into gear and drove away from the academy grounds.
__
Chloe, standing in the academy field, watched the Lexus disappear into the distance. She turned to Katherine, her expression thoughtful.
"Who is that girl to your brother? I thought you said she is just a disciple?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Telling you the truth, I am also confused, but elder brother told us she is just his disciple... Wait." Katherine turned to Chloe, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Are you interested in my brother?"
"He is... What are you saying? I just want to be friends," Chloe stammered, her cheeks flushing.
"Friends? Then why are you asking about the woman with him?" Katherine asked, a teasing smile playing on her lips.
"You!"
Chloe, flustered and momentarily speechless, scoffed and turned away.
"Fufufufu... This is interesting," Katherine said with a smile, then yelled, "Wait for me!" She quickly followed Chloe.
__
[In the car.]
Advika, after a moment of tense silence, turned to Christopher. "Now... Why did you grab my waist? And when did you ask..."
She froze as Christopher moved closer, his hand reaching out to grasp her jaw.
"You ask a lot of questions... Just sit quietly..." he said, his hazel eyes locking with her blue ones.
Advika gulped, her heart pounding in her chest. She could clearly inhale his scent. They were so close that their noses almost touched.
Adonis, glancing at the rearview mirror, observed the interaction with raised eyebrows.
"What... What are you doing?" Advika stammered, her voice barely a whisper.
"Nothing." Christopher moved back, settling into his seat. "You are going with me to the auction, there's something that might catch your eye."
Advika took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. "Are you buying something for me? When did I ask for that?"
"That doesn't mean I won't buy it... And Adonis."
"Yes brother!"
"You and Katherine are coming too, you might also find something of interest at the auction," he said.
"Uh? Is brother also getting us something?" Adonis asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes... Do you have any information on the items that will be auctioned tomorrow?"
"Hmm...." Adonis thought for a moment and nodded. "I heard Dad mentioning some artifacts, scrolls, beast eggs, jewels, treasures... Yes! And herbs, rare herbs..." He paused and added, "But everything is above 10 million."
"Don't worry about that... We aren't buying everything," Christopher said with a smile.
'All my companies might be sold off by those fools, but I have countless secretive businesses around the world... And with Lucas's help, I can have control of everything... For years now, the workers and CEOs have no idea I am the main boss, I think I should reveal myself... Having businesses with a combined annual income of trillions, I am already the richest man in the world...' He sighed.
'Even though I was dead for some months, the businesses continued, transferring more money into my bank account... So I won't be short of money, not in ten or more generations... Saying the truth, I am more wealthy than the three major families in Cordelia combined.'
"Big brother, we are here." Adonis's voice broke through Christopher's thoughts. He turned to see the imposing facade of the largest bank in Cordelia.
'Why did he bring me here?' Advika wondered, her confusion deepening.
__
The security guards watched as the three youngsters emerged from the Lexus and walked towards them.
"Is that?"
They were rendered speechless.
"Master Christopher, Master Adonis!" The four security guards quickly bowed in greeting.
The two brothers nodded in acknowledgment and walked inside, while Advika, still bewildered, silently followed.
'Is this the strength of the rich?' she thought.
'Were they coming back from the academy?' a guard wondered, his eyes lingering on Advika's uniform.
__
"Master Christopher!!" The Dean rushed out of his office, alerted by the news of Christopher and Adonis's arrival.
"Manager Jack." Christopher greeted with a smile, addressing the middle-aged man in a tailored suit.
"Master Christopher, why are you here? How much do you plan to withdraw?" the manager asked, his smile wide and welcoming.
"Well... I am not here to withdraw, but to activate my supreme account."
"Uh?"
The three were stunned by his words.