Just then, when the next item was brought out, the auctioneer introduced it with theatrical mystery, "a creation of a hidden master," he said, "made from materials discovered in an untouched, unnamed mountain."
When the cloth was lifted, a gold serpent sculpture emerged, its surface carved in intricate interlocking patterns, its ruby eyes gleaming under the stage lights.
Tristan almost fell out of his chair. He shot Shin a sharp side-glance.
How the hell did that demon orb end up here?
No need to overthink, it must have been Shin.
And if that crazy little demon prince found out one of his serpent orbs was being treated like some common trinket, he'd start a full-blown carnage in this realm.
Apart from Tristan and Shin, who knew exactly what that "sculpture" was, the rest of the hall appeared unimpressed.
From the elites' perspective, it was simply gold melted and molded into a serpent. Any master jeweler or sculpturist could reproduce something similar. And gold itself wasn't rare.
Yeri, however, felt an odd tug in her chest the moment she saw it, as if the item was calling her.
Before she could question it, she raised her paddle for the first time that night.
Shin frowned. Tristan also shot her a curious look.
"You like that dumb-looking thing?" Shin muttered.
Yeri nodded. "Yeah. It looks pretty for decoration."
Calin giggled lightly, as if she had been waiting for the perfect moment to return the earlier giggle Yeri had tossed at her.
"Don't mind a little advice from me, but that thing is trash. You'll find similar ones in any antique store. I don't know why they'd even put that in an auction."
"What do you find pretty in it?" Tristan asked, genuinely curious.
Yeri thought for a moment. "I don't know. It feels… magical."
Calin snorted, lifting her chin as though to silently say to Shin, 'This is the fiancée you prefer over me?' Ignorant and childish.
"Magical? Are you serious?" Calin's voice carried a soft mockery.
But Yeri didn't mind her and continued bidding.
Seeing Shin's displeasure, Calin became even more satisfied.
"I don't think we've formally met. I'm Calin Ricci," she said, leaning toward Yeri.
Yeri smiled politely. "Yes, I know you. You're famous. I'm Yeri Zhi."
Calin slipped back into her elegant socialite demeanor and unexpectedly raised her paddle as well, surprising Yeri. "Don't misunderstand. I have no interest in that thing. Consider this my greeting gift to a new friend."
Yeri blinked in confusion. Wasn't the Ricci family currently struggling financially?
Besides, Calin's sudden friendliness felt strange. Yeri knew she was once Shin Keir's prospective fiancée… yet now rumors had her involved with Tristan Felan.
Is this how the ultra-elite forge alliances? Does Tristan not mind dating someone who once had feelings for his cousin?
While Yeri pondered this, Shin suddenly placed a staggering bid, silencing the entire hall.
The audience, who initially had no interest in the gold serpent, were now intrigued. Why would someone bid such an outrageous amount? Was the item historically valuable after all?
Even Calin was stunned. Shin had clearly been displeased with Yeri's taste earlier. Was he truly lowering his standard just to indulge some lower-class girl's preferences?
"Miss Zhi's peculiar taste in art surely broadened Brother Shin's refined aesthetic," Calin remarked.
Yeri didn't notice the sarcasm. She tugged on Shin's sleeve and whispered a soft, "Thank you."
Since he insisted on buying things for her, she shouldn't be ungrateful.
Calin "..."
Shin, who moments earlier was plotting to chop the serpent into firewood and grill it in demon flames immediately softened.
"The gold serpent is sold to the gentleman over there!" the auctioneer announced.
Calin couldn't be more annoyed. In her mind, she was cursing Yeri as an airhead, an idiot who couldn't even read between the lines. She obviously wasn't complimenting her; it had been a jab, a mockery of her poor taste, something even Shin Keir seemed clearly disappointed about.
If she was Shin's fiancée, shouldn't she match him in everything, including aesthetic refinement? Otherwise she'd only embarrass him.
Saeki noticed Tristan smiling from ear to ear like he was watching a comedy. When Saeki asked why, Tristan only shrugged.
As the auction continued, Calin flaunted her knowledge of art, subtly belittling Yeri, slipping in sarcastic remarks, veiled jabs, or lofty commentary meant to make Yeri feel small. She even dragged Tristan and Saeki into the conversation whenever convenient.
But Yeri merely nodded in amazement or casually flirted with Shin, looping her arm around his. The sight nearly pushed Calin into madness; she was grinding her molars behind her mask.
Even her most pointed sarcasm failed to stir any reaction. Yeri remained calm, unfazed, impossible to provoke.
Calin began to wonder… Is she really an airhead?
"What's your opinion on that ancient ceremonial dagger?" Calin asked next, already prepared to refute Yeri no matter what she said.
"I don't have an opinion." Yeri blinked lazily.
Calin: "…"
Grinding her teeth, Calin tried again. "Miss Zhi doesn't seem to be interested in art or antiques?"
"I like them, but I'm not an aficionado," Yeri replied.
Below their private box, two men were loudly debating the dagger's history, one of them clearly more knowledgeable and increasingly frustrated.
Calin chuckled and delivered her next trap-line. "Reasoning with a smart person is hard, but reasoning with a stupid person is impossible. Don't you agree?"
Yeri nodded again. "Mm, I agree… that's why you shouldn't waste your time doing it."
Calin froze.
Was Yeri implying something? Was she referring to me?!
However, Calin was overthinking it. Yeri wasn't exactly clueless, she could tell that Calin's comments were either mocking her or testing her but unbeknownst to Calin, Yeri wasn't the one chasing after Shin Keir. She didn't need his validation, nor was she desperate to prove anything to him.
Moreover, Yeri was thinking of a certain Tiffany Rhian. Yeri had long learned not to waste energy on lunatics.
The auctioneer presented the next item, an ornate antique fan with mother-of-pearl ribs and a silk painting in pale gold and pink.
Not getting the reaction she wanted from Yeri, Calin turned to Tristan with a shy, coquettish tone. "Brother Tristan… I really like that item. Bid it for me?"
Saeki burst into laughter. Who told Tristan to indulge Calin so much? Now she had grown bold.
Before Tristan could answer, Yeri said gently, "I also like that. You don't mind if I compete?"
Tristan smiled and gestured that he didn't care.
Calin stared at Yeri, assessing her reaction. The masks made it difficult to confirm her suspicions, but Yeri's sudden interest was enough to fuel Calin's imagination.
Jealous? Does she not want Tristan to buy something for another woman?
Her emotions tangled, Calin's gaze kept darting toward Shin Keir, as if she wanted to shout at him to open his eyes. Isn't he usually sharp-witted? Why doesn't he suspect these two?
Biting her lip, she looked pitifully aggrieved, her eyes damp as she murmured, "Brother Tristan… since Yeri wanted it, then never mind. Bid for the next one for me?"
Tristan: "…"
He had been minding his own business moments ago. If Calin wanted to drag him in, she would have to endure the consequences.
Yeri glanced at them. Is she upset? She only wanted to buy the fan as a gift for her mother. Why act wronged when she didn't even stop Calin from bidding?
"Not bidding anymore?" Shin asked as he saw her lower her paddle.
Yeri shook her head. The price exceeded her budget, and since it was meant as a gift, she didn't want Shin to interfere.
"My money is your money," Shin declared, as if issuing a command. And before Yeri could protest, he raised the bid again, silencing the hall for the second time.
Calin was seething with envy and anger to the point she could barely sit still.
How she had longed to hear Shin Keir speak that way to her yet here he was, saying it to another woman without hesitation.
The more she thought about it, the more her resentment toward Yeri festered.
Calin vowed to herself that she would definitely expose these two scheming scumbags, Tristan and Yeri, and make sure Shin regretted not choosing her. He would pay for all the grievances she had endured.
"Brother Shin truly indulges Miss Zhi… even Brother Tristan seems fond of you," Calin whispered, loud enough for Shin to hear.
Yet Shin, as always, ignored her completely, not even sparing her a glance.
Yeri only nodded, still thinking about how to repay Shin. "Yeah, they're very good to me."
Calin: "…"
Is this bitch bragging?! This infuriating vixen!
Soon, the next item was about to be presented. The lights dimmed dramatically.
The auctioneer changed, this time a handsome man in a black suit with a mysterious, stern demeanor.
A spotlight illuminated the stage and a seductive woman stepped forward, clothed in nothing but a sheer red veil from head to toe, otherwise completely naked.
Yeri's jaw dropped. Before she could look closer, a warm hand covered her eyes.
Tristan smirked and shot Calin a meaningful look. "I'll definitely win this bid for you."
Calin: "…"
Saeki burst into laughter again until a cold, murderous aura rolled over him.
Shin was sitting there with a terrifying aura radiating from him.
Saeki straightened immediately, swallowing hard and asked Tristan. "Is today Friday?"
The auction hall belonged to Hexion, meaning they naturally had prior knowledge of the items, the schedule, and other non-disclosed "goods."
Tristan, however, had forgotten about this one. From time to time, women would auction themselves or their "services."
It wasn't illegal, nor did it count as solicitation or prostitution under mafia code, as long as the person involved wasn't forced or blackmailed.