Chapter 88: Auction 1
"Five minutes remaining until the auction commences. We request that all attendees take their designated seats," the melodious female voice echoed through the hall once more.
A collective murmur rippled through the room as the influential guests nodded and made their way towards their assigned places. The focus of every gaze was the elegantly draped stage at the far end of the hall. In the coveted front row sat the patriarchs and matriarchs of the three most powerful families in the region, accompanied by their eldest offspring, both sons and daughters.
Occupying the prime seats were Alex, the revered master beast tamer of the south; Boris, the formidable head of the Borodino family; Kelvin, the leader of the Falons family; and Ethan, the head of the Valhalla family. Vincent, representing the Vanir family, whose influence had recently expanded to encompass the top four. The Vanir family still maintained a significant presence in Cordelia and thus held a prominent position in the front row.
Directly behind them sat the next generation: Chloe, the heiress of the Borodino family; James, the young master of the Falons family; an empty seat conspicuously reserved for Christopher; and Adrian, the young master of the Vanir family.
Ethan cast a subtle glance over his shoulder, a slight furrow creasing his brow. ’Where is that boy?’ he wondered, a hint of impatience in his thoughts.
’These old geezers won’t let that...’
Before he could complete his internal musing, Vincent’s voice cut through the air, laced with a playful jab.
"Ethan? Where is your son, Christopher? Is he perhaps... intimidated?" he inquired, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Why would he be intimidated?" Ethan retorted, his frown deepening at the insinuation.
"Oh... you haven’t heard? We seasoned veterans won’t be participating in the bidding today."
"What?" Ethan’s surprise was evident. He turned to Boris and Kelvin, who both offered solemn nods of confirmation.