NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 169: Rekindled Hope
Meanwhile, recovering from her confusion, Meng Ruo asked, "What does Sir James mean by his words?"
James laughed, "I mean exactly what I said. Young Master Wang Jian previously said the Jade Essence Bracelet is yours. Congratulations!"
At the mention of what he said, Wang Jian's already pale face lost even more color, resembling that of a Vampire.
'Damn it. Does this pot-bellied, greedy merchant have it out for me? What did I do to him?' Wang Jian clenched his fists.
Suddenly, an annoying voice resounded in the venue. "Young Master Wang Jian, why are you so quiet? Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Could it be that the mighty Young Master Wang Jian is going back on his word?"
As for the owner of the voice, who could it be other than Yu Wei? Now that he had a chance to ridicule Wang Jian, he would use every chance presented to him.
'...'
*Pop*
*Pop*
*Pop*
The veins on Wang Jian's handsome face threatened to explode.
The four Wang Family guards surrounding the table frowned but helplessly shook their heads. Their hands were tied in this situation. Wang Jian got himself into this trouble, now, he had to pay the price for his bold declaration.
The guests in the venue also realized Wang Jian had been cornered. Today, there was nothing he could do but suffer the huge loss.
Wang Jian forced a smile, though it looked more like a grimace, stood up, and walked towards Meng Ruo.
"This Young Master always honors his words." He said through gritted teeth, causing a few guests in the crowd to let out stifled chuckles.
Wang Jian's movements were stiff, almost mechanical as he walked.
Finally, after a minute of silently cursing Yu Wei and James in his head, he stopped just below the auction stage with a clenched fist, he extended the Jade Essence Bracelet toward her. "Miss Meng Ruo here is the Jade Essence Bracelet, I hope you like it."
"Thank you, Young Master Wang Jian, I will treasure this gift." Meng Ruo reached out her tender hand and accepted the Jade Essence Bracelet with a seductive purr. As she brought her hand back, her fingers deliberately brushed against his.
Wang Jian unconsciously nodded, without even registering her words in his head, and made his way to his table.
6,700 Gold Coins was not a loss to him. It was like a drop of water stolen from the ocean. However, it was the humiliation of being swindled that caused his hatred for Yu Wei and James.
Inside the VVVIP Room, Lily, who had been observing the entire scene without concealing her excitement, did not want to let it end there.
Wang Jian's stiff, defeated posture was too tempting not to tease.
Rolling her adorable pink eyes playfully for a moment, she pondered the perfect final jab to deliver.
Suddenly, Lily let out a beautiful giggle as she made her decision.
"That giggle is anything but cute." Hervy shivered as he looked at the reflection of Lily in the mirror.
"For once, you said something I agree with," Lane said.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Hervy snorted.
"Nothing. Just go back to perving," Lane snorted in disdain.
"My eyes never left Meng Ruo," Hervy replied proudly.
"..." Lane and the others were speechless.
"It's rare to see someone so committed to keeping their promises… no matter the cost. Young Master Wang Jian, you're truly a man of your word. A man amongst men. As the saying goes, 'A Tiger-father does not beget a dog son.'
'...'
Despite the compliment, the words were like salt on an open wound.
Wang Jian looked up at the VVVIP Room, the furious glare in his eyes concealed by his hair.
'Haah.'
Knowing there was nothing he could do, at least not here, not now, Wang Jian returned to his table under the teasing smirks, he felt cast by the five thousand guests and even the attendants and guards in the venue.
Meanwhile, Lucian glanced at Lily and said, "You seem to be having fun."
Lily giggled, "Auction Houses are the best! Big Brother Lucian, we should come here often."
"The auction isn't over yet, Miss. There's still a few more hours." James reminded.
"That's great! That means more fun for me!"
"Just try not to cause too much trouble." Garrett sighed from behind.
"Trouble? Me? Never!" Lily stuck out her tongue, but the others could not see it due to the mask.
After a while, even though Wang Jian's humiliation was still fresh in everyone's minds, the auction continued in full swing.
The second item appeared on the large screen and on everyone's Auction Tablets. It was a chunk of Dark Mythrite - a Grade 1 item. Compared to the beautiful Jade Essence Bracelet, it was a total letdown.
However, it also made sense. The most important thing about an auction was to have a good start. By increasing everyone's emotions whether positively or negatively would raise the price of all the following items.
"Esteemed guests, the second item of the evening is a chunk of Dark Mythrite — a Grade 1 material highly sought after by Novice Rank Blacksmiths and Alchemists. Its value lies in its practicality, not in its visual appeal. Therefore, this is an opportunity not to be missed. The starting bid for the Dark Mythrite is 500 Gold Coins."
"500."
"600."
"700."
The Novice Rank Blacksmiths and Alchemists in the venue furiously bid against each other.
—----------------
Meanwhile, as the price continued to rapidly soar without signs of stopping any time soon, the twenty-five-year-old young man, a thousand feet away, was sat in his restaurant with his head in his hands.
"Another day without a single customer."
"... It's not as if it would matter."
*Ding*
As the restaurant's door opened, the sound of the chime resounded but the young man did not lift his head to glance at who entered.
"Leave me alone. I already told you, I won't hand you the deed to my restaurant until the deadline."
For a moment, the room was silent, then a calm and gentle voice responded, "Duan Mu, age 25, born without Mana Veins."
"He sent another one… and this one thinks he's smart." The young man named Duan Mu sighed.
"Duan Yingyuan, age 245, Blood Tempering Realm."
"Duan Hai, age 310, Tendon Tempering Realm."
"Anything else, that isn't easy to learn?" Duan Mu chuckled mockingly.
"Duan Yingyuan and Duan Hai are both in serious condition, unconscious, and only a year left to live, with no hope of survival."
At the mention of his parents' condition, Duan Mu's heart finally skipped a beat. Hurriedly, he raised his pale face and looked at the owner of the voice.
A few feet away, was a tall, old man in a black suit and red tie.
"Who… How do you know? …No, since you are with that man, of course, you would know." Duan Mu dryly chuckled.
"Young man, please don't lump me in with trash." The old man replied coldly. "I'm not affiliated with that person, who wishes to take advantage of your misfortune."
Hearing this, Duan Mu furrowed his brows. "Are you not his butler?"
"Of course not." The old man shook his head and bowed, "Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Carlton, Sir James Orchard's, Harmony City mansion's, butler."
"What?" Duan Mu stood up in shock. "Sir James… why would his butler come here?"
"With Sir Carlton's status, you wouldn't deign to eat in my small, worn-down restaurant." He bitterly added.
Carlton nodded, "You're not wrong. I am here on behalf of my Master."
"Sir James?" Duan Mu nervously gulped and waited.
"My Master requires a kitchen temporarily."
Duan Mu looked at him in disbelief. "A kitchen? For Sir James Orchard?" He stuttered. "But why my kitchen?"
"There is no special reason other than your restaurant is the closest to the Dragon Phoenix Auction House." Carlton replied, then continued after briefly glancing at the dust-covered tables, cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, and the putrid aroma, "As for the restaurant's condition, that is of no concern. The establishment will be remodeled and upgraded to meet with Senior's requirements."
After Carlton's spies had informed him about the miraculous Garlic Butter and Herb Popcorn, he was confident if they could please and rope Lucian into their faction, his Master's journey to becoming the next Family Head would be smooth sailing.
Therefore, after ending the call with his Master and finding which restaurant was the closest to the Dragon Phoenix Auction House, he hurriedly rushed over, while calling a few Artisans he knew.
"What do Sir James and Sir Carlton need from me?" Duan Mu asked after a while.
"Master requires nothing more than your cooperation. Allow us to use your kitchen, and in return, your restaurant will be fully remodeled. Also, though I can't guarantee it, I'll try to assist you with saving your parents."
Instantly, Duan Mu's eyes lit, and the hope that had dwindled, rekindled at that moment, "Can you really help my parents?"