"I certainly hope your son won't be tempted by the fourth item," Kelvin remarked, his gaze fixed on Ethan.
Ethan leaned back in his chair, a serene smile gracing his lips. "Don't fret, Kelvin. He already promised his mother he wouldn't bid on anything else. Besides," he added with a chuckle, "I'm not even sure if his allowance stretches that far anymore."
Vincent exhaled audibly, a wave of relief washing over his features. "That's a comfort."
Britney beamed at the attendees. "Alright everyone! For our fourth item, we have something a little different in store for you." She gestured towards the right side of the stage.
A hush fell over the room as a male attendant carefully wheeled a familiar glass case towards the center.
"I know you all remember the legendary Supreme Tamer!" Britney announced, her voice resonating with reverence.
A subtle shift crossed Christopher's face, a flicker of something unreadable. Behind him, Murphy's eyebrow arched inquisitively.
"The Supreme Tamer! How could we ever forget such a monumental figure?" someone exclaimed from the crowd.
"Though he is no longer with us, his legacy will endure forever!" another voice boomed.
"Indeed!" a chorus of voices echoed through the hall.
James, his expression earnest, added, "Truly... The Supreme Tamer is my idol. I aspire to be just like him."
Adrian and Chloe exchanged a somber glance, their smiles fading.
"Yes... We all held him in such high regard. We will be eternally grateful for his sacrifice, defending us against the monster raids just months ago. He gave his life to protect millions." Chloe closed her eyes briefly, a sigh escaping her lips before she reopened them.
Britney's smile widened, her eyes sparkling with excitement:
"Now, we have the honor of presenting two incredibly valuable treasures that once belonged to the late Supreme Tamer! First, his personal spirit ring, a conduit of immense power. And second, a personally crafted pill of extraordinary potency! A single dose is rumored to elevate a Tamer by two entire levels!"
Vincent's eyes widened, a distinct gleam in their depths. "Wow! That is truly remarkable."
James's smile broadened, a hint of avarice in his tone. "If I could acquire both of those, I would be practically invincible!"
Chloe murmured to herself, her brow furrowed in contemplation. "Hmm... This pill would undoubtedly help me achieve my breakthrough. I don't have much need for the ring, but that pill... it's crucial."
Adonis turned to Katherine, a questioning look in his eyes. "What do you think, Katherine? Should we consider bidding?"
Leyla, her gaze fixed on Christopher's back, leaned towards her companions and whispered urgently, "I think we should ask Christopher."
Adonis and Katherine exchanged a quick glance and nodded in agreement. "Go ahead," Adonis urged with an encouraging smile.
Katherine rolled her eyes playfully before leaning forward, resting her hand on the top of Christopher's chair. In a hushed tone, she asked, "Big brother, what should we do? Should we try to bid on these items?"
"No," Christopher replied without turning around. "I have the pills with me. I'll give them to you and Adonis later."
Katherine was momentarily stunned into silence. After a brief pause, she inquired, "What about the ring?"
"The Supreme Tamer's ring does possess significant value," Christopher conceded, finally turning his head slightly towards her. "However, with its master gone, much of its inherent energy has dissipated. It's not worth bidding on."
"Really?" Katherine asked, her voice laced with surprise.
"Yes," Christopher affirmed with a nod.
"On one condition," Katherine added mischievously.
Christopher turned fully to face his younger sister, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "A condition?" he asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
"Yes," Katherine whispered, a playful glint in her eyes.
Christopher exhaled, a smile slowly replacing his frown. "Alright... what is it?"
"You have to take me shopping."
Christopher chuckled softly and reached out to ruffle her hair. "Okay... Now, please sit quietly."
"Wait, brother," Katherine persisted, her curiosity piqued. "How did you even get that pill?"
"Just sit back down, Katherine," Christopher said gently but firmly. "This isn't the appropriate time to discuss that."
Katherine grumbled under her breath but settled back into her seat. Adonis, Leyla, and Advika, who were seated in the row besides her, turned towards her, their expressions a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
"Brother said we shouldn't bid," she explained simply.
The group blinked in unison, then silently nodded, accepting his judgment.
'If he said so, there must be something amiss with that ring,' Leyla mused, her gaze drifting back towards the shimmering artifact on display.
__
[In The Office.]
Leon's voice was low and intense as he addressed the elderly woman. "Mrs. Sky, who provided you with these two items?"
"Oh, young Master Alex brought them along with the egg," Mrs Sky replied with a warm smile.
Leon exchanged a startled look with Electra, whose face mirrored his own shock.
'That bastard, Alex! No one has been able to locate that ring! Could it have been in his possession all this time?! Has he been concealing it from us all along?!' Leon's fist clenched tightly at his side.
'If I could just get my hands on that ring, my strength would undoubtedly surge! But...' His gaze flickered upwards to the large screen displaying the ongoing auction.
'If that truly is the Supreme Tamer's ring, why would he be selling it? Surely, he would keep such a powerful artifact for himself... So why? Is he truly that desperate for funds? Or is he orchestrating something far more intricate?' He turned his attention back to Mrs. Sky.
"Mrs Sky... Has Master Alex inquired about anything specific lately?" Leon asked, his tone carefully neutral.
"No... Only about the Valhalla family, that's all," Mrs Sky answered after a moment of contemplation.
'Why would he be interested in such an insignificant family in Cordelia?' Leon pondered, his mind racing.
Electra sighed softly, her expression troubled.
'What secrets are you keeping, Alex? That pill has the potential to elevate a master to the divine level, so why relinquish it for mere monetary gain? Unless... is it a counterfeit?' she wondered, her suspicion growing.
___
Chaya leaned back in her seat, her eyes narrowed in thought. 'He is a Tamer, and already have a ring... so acquiring a spirit ring would be pointless for him. My father's Boss is a shrewd businessman; I need to observe and see what the final item up for auction will be.'
'Hehehehe... Christopher, I hadn't anticipated you possessing such considerable wealth... Well, by acquiring this pill, I will subtly siphon away your powers without your even realizing it... This was originally intended for another, but with your conspicuous bidding habits, I am confident you will make a play for it!' Alex thought with a smug smirk playing on his lips.
"The starting bid for these legendary artifacts is 20 Million!" Britney announced, her voice amplified by the microphone.
"25 Million!" Vincent declared confidently, a smile playing on his lips.
"Wow... I didn't realize the Vanir family's coffers were quite so shallow," Kelvin chuckled, raising his hand with a flourish. "50 Million."
'I sincerely hope that little rat doesn't decide to interfere!' he thought, glancing back at Christopher over his shoulder.
"100 Million," Boris stated calmly, his voice carrying an air of authority.
Murmurs rippled through the hall. "Indeed... That's why he holds the position as head of the number one family."
Another voice countered, "Number one family? Christopher just spent 500 Billion without batting an eye. 100 Million is practically pocket change in comparison... I have a feeling the hierarchy is about to shift."
"Precisely... Let's see if the Borodino family can maintain their supposed dominance."
The growing wave of hushed conversations caused a deep furrow to appear on Boris's brow.
"150 Million," Ethan announced with a confident smile.
'You! Do you truly believe your upstart family can challenge mine? We shall see about that!' Boris seethed inwardly, before projecting his voice across the room.
"One Billion!" Boris said with a smile.
"One Billion! Wow."
"One billion isn't impressive in the slightest."
"I recall a rather impulsive acquisition that totaled five hundred billion, wouldn't you agree?"
"Yeah... You have a point there."
'These bastards!' Boris seethed inwardly, his fists clenching beneath the table. 'Speaking of such sums as if they were mere trinkets!'
"Fifty Billion!"
A hush fell over the hall. Every head swiveled towards Gabi, a gentle smile gracing her lips and her elegant walking stick held firmly in hand.
"This woman!" Vincent spat out, his face contorted in disbelief.
"Is this truly the extent of the four major families' wealth in Cordelia?" Alex murmured, a theatrical sigh escaping his lips:
"Unable to even outbid a woman?" He shook his head slowly, a picture of disappointment.
"This?!"
A collective frown etched itself onto the faces of Boris, Kelvin, and Vincent.
'If I can't even contend with this lady,' Boris thought furiously, his gaze fixed on Gabi, 'how in the blazes will I secure the final item with those other two women and Christopher lurking?'
A knot of frustration tightened in his chest. The same disquieting thought echoed in the minds of Kelvin and Vincent.
"Okay... I concede for now." Ethan announced, folding his arms across his chest, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
'You!'
Vincent fumed internally, his eyes narrowed at Ethan. 'Hiding behind your son's exorbitant wealth! And acting so high and mighty!'
Unable to contain himself any longer, he roared: "Sixty Billion!!"
"Hehehe... One might almost think the esteemed Vanir family is experiencing a touch of financial… constraint," Kelvin chuckled, a predatory glint in his eyes.
"Eighty Billion!" he countered, his voice ringing through the hall.
"One Hundred Billion!!" Boris declared, his voice a low growl of determination.
Silence descended once more, thick and heavy. All eyes darted between the heads of the first, second, and fourth families, a silent battle waged in the tense atmosphere.
Moments stretched into an eternity before a voice, smooth as velvet yet carrying an undeniable weight of authority, sliced through the quiet.
"Two Hundred Billion!"
Every head snapped towards Gabi, again, a wave of surprise and outright shock rippling through the room.
Murmurs broke out amongst the onlookers:
"That's the queen of the underground forces for you."
"Indeed... a formidable presence, both strong and undeniably beautiful."
"Shush... lower your voice! Lady Gabi is known for her… ruthlessness."
An uneasy silence settled over the crowd once more, all eyes fixed on Gabi, waiting to see if anyone dared to challenge her staggering bid.
"Shit!" Boris muttered under his breath, his face paling slightly.
'Two Hundred Billion?! That's practically my entire annual income!' Kelvin thought, his jaw tightening.
"Two Hundred Billion, going once!" Britney's voice echoed through the hall, her professional demeanor unwavering despite the palpable tension.
Silence.
"Two Hundred Billion, going twice!!" She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room before settling on Christopher, Chaya, and Murphy, a silent invitation in her eyes. But the trio remained impassive, their expressions unreadable.
'Why aren't those two bidding?' Chaya wondered, her brow furrowing as she glanced from Christopher to Murphy.
'Perhaps these items truly lack the allure I initially perceived.' she mused, a flicker of disinterest washing over her. With a small nod to herself, she leaned back in her seat, abandoning any intention of entering the fray.
"Sold! To Lady Gabi!!!" Britney announced, her voice ringing with finality, a professional smile gracing her lips as she turned to the successful bidder. "Lady Gabi, will you be paying now or at a later time?"
"Later," Gabi replied, her smile radiating a quiet confidence.
A collective wave of surprise and a hint of horror washed over the men in the hall as they exchanged bewildered glances.
'Why.' They collectively pondered, a sense of bewildered resignation settling upon them:
'Are women so damn powerful?'