The grand auction was still in full swing, and Jason Carter—who had dominated nearly every bid since the start—had clearly stirred up a mix of awe and resentment among the attendees.
Some of the guests, unwilling to see a newcomer steal the spotlight, tried to deliberately raise the prices on the items he wanted.
However, they quickly realized such efforts were meaningless. Jason didn't even flinch. Meanwhile, Olivia, sitting calmly beside him, would occasionally make a tactical counter-bid.
Within minutes, the challengers who had tried to provoke him could only grit their teeth and lower their paddles.
Jason could afford to overpay for ten items without blinking. The others? They'd bleed for one.
By the next round, no one dared to play games with him anymore.
The next item unveiled drew gasps from across the hall—a roll of Celestial Weave, displayed under soft blue lighting.
Just by looking at the sample, Jin and Elsa's eyes sparkled.
Its value might not match the legendary Seraphine Silk, but its beauty was undeniable. The material shimmered like moonlight on calm water, delicate as mist, light as air. The kind of fabric highborn ladies in New York's elite circles would fight over to have tailored into dresses for the Winter Gala.
Rumor had it the Celestial Weave was resistant to water and temperature, a creation of long-lost arcane craftsmanship. Legends said the ancient enchantresses wore it into storms and came out perfectly dry, their gowns gleaming like starlight.
Seraphine Silk might be meant for royal occasions, but Celestial Weave—oh, that was for living, breathing luxury. Jin could already imagine walking down Fifth Avenue in a gown of it, the sunlight dancing across the fabric, every head turning.
Before she could even voice her awe, Olivia had already raised her paddle."One million."
A murmur spread through the crowd. No hesitation. No counter. The Celestial Weave was instantly theirs.
The next piece was unveiled—a Rose-Gold Phoenix Tiara, encrusted with shimmering pearls that caught and refracted the light in breathtaking hues. It radiated power, elegance, and dominance all at once.
Jin and Elsa's breathing quickened, their fingers clenching together in excitement.
Their gazes instinctively drifted toward Jason. He hadn't said a word, yet his calm demeanor spoke volumes.
Even Olivia's eyes lit up—an expression rare for someone so poised. The allure of the tiara was impossible to resist.
At that moment, Jin couldn't help but imagine what it would feel like to wear it—to stand in a room full of rivals, the pearls glinting like living fire as she lifted her chin ever so slightly. Every envious gaze would be worth it.
Jason made a small gesture with his hand.
Olivia raised her paddle again."Two million."
The hammer fell. The tiara was theirs.
From there, the momentum was unstoppable.Hairpins inlaid with emerald enchantments, perfume bottles infused with elemental fragrance, crystal bracelets with healing charms, ancient combs carved from spiritwood, silken gloves woven with moonlight thread—Jason and Olivia claimed them all.
As the bids continued, Jin's heartbeat quickened.
She remembered something. The previous auction—where Jason hadn't attended—had already seen Olivia acquire a complete royal ensemble: the gown, the cloak, and the silver circlet.
Now, with these new acquisitions…
Could it be?
The eight legendary Tokens of Bond—the symbolic gifts said to represent eternal unity—were nearly complete.
Hairpin — A vow of trust.
Perfume bottle — A token of remembrance.
Bracelet — A promise of protection.
Comb — A bond of time and shared years.
Gloves — A gesture of tenderness.
Earrings — A link of devotion.
Ring — A seal of destiny.
Heart-shaped locket — The eternal binding.
Jin's mind raced. Could Jason be… hinting at something?
No, that was impossible. They'd just met today.
And yet… she had been beside him for every one of these bids. Each token, each symbol—wasn't she the witness to all of it?
If fate had a sense of humor, perhaps one day this moment would become a story whispered among the elite:
"She was there when he claimed the eight tokens of love."
"And in the end, he gave them all to her."
Jin's cheeks flushed at the thought. She forced herself to look away—but her eyes found Jason again, his calm profile illuminated by the soft gold light of the chandelier.
Her heart fluttered uncontrollably.
Jin: Affection +5.
Just then, the auctioneer's voice rang out again, commanding everyone's attention.
"The next item," he said, "is too large to bring on stage. However, we have a live broadcast and an open viewing session in our private vault for appraisers and VIP bidders."
The massive screen above flickered to life.
Displayed on it was a magnificent Carriage—an artifact that seemed to belong to another world. Its frame was carved from radiant Elderwood, its edges traced with lines of pure gold. The entire structure rested upon silver wheels etched with ancient runes of levitation.
It didn't look like a carriage—it looked like a moving palace.
The auctioneer smiled knowingly. "This masterpiece, known as the Ten-Thousand Hands Carriage, was said to have required over ten thousand hours of meticulous craftsmanship from countles artisans. Its design originated during the late Victorian era."
"In those days," he continued, "only the wealthiest nobles could rent such a carriage for their weddings. Renting it once cost more than the price of a mansion. Adjusted for modern currency… let's just say, this would put even a Rolls-Royce Phantom to shame."
The crowd erupted in low murmurs of disbelief.
Of course, the original Carriage was a museum treasure, long locked behind reinforced glass. The one here was a replica, but one handcrafted by a new generation of grand artisans—each rune and stitch identical to the original.
Even as a replica, it was perfect. The golden trim, the vermilion lacquer finish, the embroidered silks lining the interior—every inch radiated luxury and devotion.
It wasn't just art. It was dedication.
Jin and Elsa sat frozen, their hearts racing as they watched the live feed.
When Olivia—without hesitation—lifted her bidding paddle and declared,"Ten million,"the room fell into stunned silence.
No counter-offers. No whispers. The hammer fell quickly.
Jason Carter had bought it.
If Jin's imagination had been running wild before, now it completely broke free.
In her mind, she saw it—herself sitting inside that carriage, draped in the Rose-Gold Phoenix Tiara from before, her dress woven from Celestial Weave, her heart pounding as Jason, in an obsidian suit and calm gaze, reached out his hand to her.
A grand procession winding down Fifth Avenue, the air shimmering with light, the carriage glowing faintly like a fallen star.
Just picturing it made her breath hitch. She knew it was pure fantasy—yet her heart refused to calm down.
Beside her, Elsa leaned closer, whispering with barely contained excitement,"I said before—whoever marries him is going to live like a queen. But now? Forget queen—she'll be legendary. Do you think he's buying all this for someone special?"
Jin's heart sank for a moment. That question struck her harder than she expected.
Yes… could he already have someone?
But then she hesitated. Thinking carefully, she murmured,"I don't think so. Otherwise, wouldn't he have brought her here? And some of the pieces—he only bought them after I mentioned how they matched together. It's like it just… happened naturally."
She paused, glancing at Jason—his calm, elegant posture, his unreadable expression.
"Maybe," she whispered softly, "he's not buying them for anyone in particular. Maybe he's buying them for the future… for her, whoever she'll be."
Elsa smiled faintly. "Then whoever that girl is, she'll be blessed. He seems like the type who'd go all-in once he decides."
Jin didn't respond. But her heart fluttered uncontrollably again.
Jin: Affection +5.
Her affection had now reached seventy.
Jason didn't even have to say much anymore. His presence alone was enough to draw hearts in.
It wasn't that women like Megan, Quinn, or Holly were harder to win over, while women like Grace or Elsa were easier—it was that Jason himself had changed.
He had been refining himself continuously: his strength, charisma, the subtle aura from the Spirit array that enhanced his physical and spiritual energy; the Vitality potion that improved his body; the wealth, status, and calm confidence he now carried like second nature.
He was no longer the same man he once was.
Now, he didn't need to pursue—he simply existed, and others gravitated toward him.
It was a truth as old as time:
"Money isn't for women to spend—it's for them to see."
A man who spends a fortune on a woman might gain gratitude.But a man who embodies value—who radiates capability, refinement, and power—commands admiration.
If Jason had spent ten million to please someone, they might thank him once and move on.
But now, by improving himself, he had become someone they dreamed about.
Someone they feared to disappoint.
Someone they wanted to deserve.
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