Chapter 148: Auction
The manor stood in the heart of an expansive forest, its towering iron gates parting silently as a convoy of sleek, black cars glided through. Unlike the usual grandeur of aristocratic estates, this one exuded an air of mystery and quiet dominance. Its walls, crafted from a rare alloy that shimmered subtly under the moonlight, bore no signs of age or wear, standing as an impenetrable fortress amidst the towering trees. The surrounding forest, dense and untouched, served as both a natural barrier and a declaration—this was not a place meant to be easily approached.
The vehicles came to a slow halt on a vast stone-paved courtyard, their engines purring softly before falling silent. One by one, figures emerged from the cars, draped in luxurious attire that ranged from impeccable elegance to gaudy displays of excess. Yet, no matter how they dressed, they all carried the same air of entitlement, their gazes sharp with veiled disdain as they sized each other up.
A particular tension sparked between two individuals near the front of the gathering. A British woman in her late forties, her platinum hair swept into a severe updo, eyed a Spanish man with the kind of smile that never reached her cold, calculating eyes.
"Zachary," she greeted coolly, her clipped accent precise.
"Ah, Penelope," the man replied smoothly, his deep voice laced with amusement. "Still wearing that shade of red? A bold choice for someone your age."
Penelope’s smile didn’t falter, but her eyes gleamed with quiet malice. "And you’re still trying to mask your insecurities with that cologne? It’s almost convincing."
The exchange went unnoticed by most, save for a few who smirked knowingly.
Before the verbal sparring could escalate, several attendants, dressed in sleek, all-silver uniforms, stepped forward and gestured for the guests to follow. The group was led across the courtyard to a circular platform embedded in the stone ground. Without warning, the attendants pressed a hidden control panel, and the floor beneath them shifted. A transparent, glass-like enclosure rose around them before the entire platform suddenly dropped at an alarming speed.
Several guests let out startled gasps, some clutching at the railings in an attempt to steady themselves. However, two figures remained utterly unfazed—Penelope and Zachary. The latter smirked when he caught Penelope’s scrutinizing gaze, but she simply arched an eyebrow, unimpressed.
Within seconds, the descent ended as smoothly as it had begun. The glass enclosure retracted, revealing a vast, breathtaking hall constructed almost entirely of glass.
The guests barely had time to take a step forward before their eyes were drawn to the incredible technological marvels displayed throughout the room. Even those who prided themselves on being unshakable couldn’t suppress their reactions. Gasps and murmurs filled the space as they took in the wonders before them: