"At that time, I had just begun expanding my business. I founded the Rina Auction House, but I did everything from the ground up. I refused financial support from my elder sister and even declined most of the help offered by my adoptive father, Brandis Mercer. I wanted the auction house to stand on its own reputation rather than on borrowed prestige."
Davis and a few of the siblings nodded in approval.
"Because of that, I had to personally meet clients, negotiate deals, and secure partnerships. One day, I arranged to meet a potential client at one of Lady Jaisi Alstreim's restaurants."
Her lips curved slightly as she recalled the moment, "Unfortunately, several competitors in the auction trade had already begun viewing my business as a nuisance. While I was waiting for the client, a few of them approached me. Their intentions weren't exactly polite. They began mocking my auction house and trying to pressure me into withdrawing from certain territories."
