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On the central stage stood two hosts, with a display podium in the middle. Currently, an unnamed oil painting was being showcased. The bidding voices around were incessant, and after several price hikes, it was finally sold for 20,000 Sula.
"Come, Miss Mengdie, sit by my side."
Dika lightly guided Mengdie to a seat not too close to the central display. Mengdie frowned and slowly shook her head. She asked, "Dika, what time do these auctions usually start?"
"10 a.m. There's a break from 12 noon to 1 p.m. Then it continues until 4 p.m. Any more questions? Sweetheart."
Mengdie shook her head and pulled out a pocket watch to check the time. It was just past 11 a.m., meaning the auction had started just over an hour ago. The likelihood of her necklace already being auctioned off was low.
Thinking this over, Mengdie walked to a seat closest to the display podium. Since she wore a hat, the people nearby didn't realize she was a woman and didn't pay her much attention.
Dika hummed lightly at Mengdie's action and sat down beside her. The two men seated next to her stood up pale-faced, respectfully giving up their seats. Dika coldly laughed and nodded in satisfaction before sitting down.
The auction proceeded orderly, with increasingly exquisite and expensive items being showcased. The atmosphere in the auction hall rose. During this time, Mengdie watched every item on the stage intently, hoping to spot her ruby necklace. Unfortunately, various necklaces were displayed, including diamond, jade, and emerald, but not her ruby necklace.
"Could it be... already sold... or perhaps it's not even here?"
During the noon break, Mengdie refused Dika's invitation to lunch in a private dining room, choosing to stay and wait. She even pushed aside the cakes Dika offered, anxiously focusing on the stage.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
Then, the afternoon auction began again.
"Darn it... why hasn't it come out yet? Could it really not be here? What was all my effort these past few months for? My necklace... my power, where have they gone!"
As time slowly passed, Mengdie became increasingly tense, her body trembling with nervousness. When 3 p.m. struck, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and sorrowful tears slowly gathered at the corners of her eyes...
Dika was enraptured by her appearance.
"Miss Mengdie, what do you want? Just say it, there's no need to hold back between us."
When a girl cries, it's time to offer kindness. Dika knew this well and extended his hand again, trying to embrace Mengdie's waist. This time, she didn't resist (she was too distracted to do so).
(Heh, just now acting all strong. Aren't you slowly being conquered by me?)
Dika gently caressed Mengdie's waist, slowly pulling her into his arms. He took a handkerchief from his pocket and moved to wipe the tears from her eyes.
"There, there, don't cry, my sweetheart. What exactly do you want?"
Mengdie, slightly coming to her senses, took Dika's handkerchief and wiped away the detested tears from her eyes, continuing to stare anxiously at the stage. "I want a necklace!"
Just then, a new item was presented on the podium, a simple necklace with a single purple gemstone pendant, unadorned. Connoisseurs could tell at a glance that the gemstone was not ordinary but a pure magic crystal!
"The Eye of Marsa! Said to be one of the five parts into which the infamous witch Marsa divided her body before dying! It greatly enhances the wearer's magical perception! Even someone with no magic skills can easily cast high-level spells like Water Mirror, Fireball, and Thunder Bind without chanting. Besides, it has the following functions..."
The host continued the introduction. Mengdie's face showed disappointment again upon seeing the necklace. She slumped in her chair, closing her eyes in despair.
"Sweetheart, do you like that necklace? I'll buy it for you." Dika, unaware of Mengdie's true thoughts, offered presumptuously. The host announced the starting bid for the magic necklace.
"Who likes that necklace! What use is such a thing to me?!" As time passed, Mengdie's mood worsened. Dika's tactless attempt to please her made her explode with anger, but fortunately, her outburst was lost in the commotion over the necklace.
Dika was taken aback by the rejection, his face contorting momentarily. He had never been rebuked by a woman before. His pride was wounded! Mengdie still smiled at him, but when she looked away, her lips curled maliciously.
(Ungrateful girl, if you weren't so pretty, do you think I'd let you off so easily? Wait till tonight's ball ends, I'll crush you under me and show you who's boss!)
In a flash, "The Eye of Marsa" was sold for 120,000 Sula. With less than fifteen minutes left until 4 p.m., Mengdie lay exhausted in her seat, closing her eyes in thought, tears of sadness and disappointment rolling down...
"Cough." The host on stage coughed, "Ladies and gentlemen, now, we present today's final item. This item is last not because of its rarity, but because we are unsure of its actual value. It might be invaluable or worthless. So, please think carefully before bidding."
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