Chapter 168 - 167: Lining Up for Rice and Peanut Oil

The day of the auction arrived.

Even before the auction house began admitting guests, a long line of luxury cars was already waiting at the entrance.

Everyone was eager to have their funds verified and get inside first. Perhaps, even if they weren’t as wealthy as others, they could still snag a seat near the front.

After all, your seat location was a direct reflection of your status.

The closer to the front, the more prestige one had.

If Yvonne Lowell knew what they were thinking, she’d probably scoff at their naivety. ’Have they made so much money they’ve fried their brains?’

This was an underground auction house, yes, but it was an underground auction house on Continent N.

Things here weren’t as simple as they imagined. Every single seat had already been secretly assigned a price.

Seeing the long line of cars at the main entrance, Yvonne Lowell’s fingertips drummed unconsciously against her thigh.

"We’ll take the side entrance."

"Yes." Alan Knight turned the steering wheel, navigating toward the auction house’s side entrance with practiced ease.

A moment later, a Karlmann King turned smoothly into the side entrance, followed by six black, bulletproof sports sedans.

Yvonne Lowell stepped out of the passenger seat and opened the rear door.

"Get out of there, now. You’ve shed all over my car."

The Leogryph obediently leaped from the back seat, then lifted a paw to shut the car door.

What could it do? It had shamelessly begged, whined, and thrown a fit just to be allowed to come along.

Even a lion has to bow its head when it’s under someone else’s roof.

The manor was just so boring, and this poop-scooper was always going out to have fun without it. If it stayed cooped up any longer, it felt like its fur would grow out of control.

Yvonne Lowell led her entourage inside. Instead of going through the main hall and alerting the staff, she took them directly to an elevator that went up to her private suite.

She had just settled onto the sofa in her suite when Chloe, the auction house manager, came rushing in on her sky-high heels, having already been notified of her arrival.

"My lady, you’ve finally arrived!!"

Chloe gave Yvonne Lowell a slight bow. As she rose, the excitement in her eyes was practically bursting out.

Yvonne Lowell found it rather amusing. "What’s with that look on your face?"

"It’s just been so long since I’ve seen you! This humble servant has missed you dearly~" Chloe’s blue eyes sparkled as she gazed at her without blinking.

"You’ve been watching too many historical dramas from Aurelia. Isn’t the auction house keeping you busy enough?" The corner of Yvonne Lowell’s mouth twitched.

"Go on, get back to work. Just remember to prepare some food for it later."

Yvonne Lowell gently nudged the idiot lying beside her with her foot. It was obvious who "it" was.

"Yes, my lady. Call for me anytime you need anything. This servant will take her leave now~"

With that, Chloe backed out of the room.

...

The auction house began to admit guests, and the various tycoons got out of their cars to queue up obediently.

This was perhaps the most down-to-earth they had ever been in their lives—personally standing in a line.

Nolan Crawford glanced through the car window, the corner of his mouth twisting into a sarcastic smirk. "What’s the big rush? Don’t tell me they all think the earlier you get in, the better your seat will be. Anyone who didn’t know better would think they were lining up for a handout of rice and cooking oil."

Pfft. Warren Lynch couldn’t help but let out a snort of laughter, quickly raising a hand to cover his mouth.

He couldn’t deny, the resemblance was uncanny.

Only when the line had dwindled to just a few people did the men open their car doors and step out.

The moment they stepped out of the car, they drew the attention of everyone else present.

The reason was simple: each one of them was ridiculously handsome, and they were all unfamiliar faces no one recognized.

The one in the lead was especially striking. His hair was neatly slicked back, revealing a broad forehead and deep-set, handsome features. Dressed in an exquisitely tailored custom suit, he was the very definition of a walking mannequin.

It was just... he also looked like someone you didn’t want to mess with.

Ignoring the probing stares from all around, Leo Grant handed a black card to the attendant.

Upon seeing his face, the attendant’s expression clearly froze for a second.

Relying on his professional training, he quickly recovered, took the card to process their entry, and then had someone escort them to their designated suite.

An usher led them to Suite No. 3 before bowing and retreating.

Once the four of them were alone in the suite, Nolan Crawford finally voiced the question he’d been holding in the entire ride over.

"Boss, I got the weirdest feeling that guy at the door knew you. I can’t quite describe it, but the look on his face when he saw you... it was like the look my mom gets right before she’s about to share some juicy gossip with my aunt."

A flicker of light crossed Leo Grant’s eyes. He had, of course, noticed the attendant’s strange reaction but couldn’t fathom the reason behind it.

’Here on Continent N, I don’t know anyone aside from a few of the Grants’ business partners, let alone someone who works at an underground auction house.’

’The only exception would be... the members of Moonshadow, whom I’ve never met. But since we’ve never met, that can’t possibly be it.’

’Besides, it would be too much of a coincidence if this underground auction house was also one of Moonshadow’s businesses, right?’

When Leo didn’t answer, Nolan Crawford didn’t press the issue. He turned to look out the one-way glass.

"We actually managed to get Suite No. 3. If a local powerhouse like Moonshadow were to show up, they’d definitely be in one of the suites ahead of us. I wonder which one it’ll be, No. 1 or No. 2. They looked empty when we passed by."

They had done their research before coming. The auction area had two levels: a main hall on the first floor and eleven private suites on the second, only ten of which were available to the public.

Suite No. 0 was the personal suite of the auction house’s mysterious owner and was never, ever opened to the public.

Ian Lynch couldn’t help but facepalm. ’Young Master Crawford is always looking for an opportunity to switch allegiances.’

’But... if Young Master Crawford does switch sides, does that mean I can move up and become the second-in-command?!’

Silas Lynch: Your old man is just holding down the fort at the company. Not dead, thank you. ^_^

...

Meanwhile, in Suite No. 0.

The very same attendant who had just verified Leo Grant’s funds was now standing before Yvonne Lowell, giving her an animated report.

After listening to his report, Yvonne Lowell raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure it was him?"

’He did say he was going abroad... factoring in the time difference, it would be around now.’

’So he decided to make a stop on Continent N before heading back to the Shadow Pavilion.’

"I’m absolutely, one hundred percent positive! I saw his face clearly when you were on that reality show, and in the official announcements after. Besides, with your boyfriend’s good looks, my lady, how could anyone possibly mistake him? But rest assured, he’s with three other men. No women in sight!"

The gossipy glint in the attendant’s eyes was so bright it nearly blinded Yvonne Lowell.

Yvonne Lowell rolled her eyes, annoyed. "I get it. Don’t make a scene. Just treat them like any other guests."

"Huh? Oh... yes, my lady." Although the attendant didn’t understand, he took his orders and left.

Yvonne Lowell’s gaze fell as she absently stroked the Leogryph’s head, which was resting on her lap.

Sensing an insistent gaze on her, she didn’t even look up. "Spit it out."