NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 168: Tricked
But a month ago, his world started to crumble. His mother, the rock of the family, suddenly fell unconscious, followed shortly by his father.
Using what the little savings they had, he brought them to a Healing Mage, only to hear the worst possible news — his mother and father only had a year left to live.
Now, as he sat on the cold, unforgiving sidewalk, watching the passersby cheerfully enjoying their lives, he could not help but feel jealous of them. He was born a cripple, his only family was going to be taken away, and his restaurant was soon to follow. Soon, he would have nothing in this world.
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"6,700 Gold Coins. This Young Master can continue forever. Yu Wei, if you have the guts, keep bidding." Despite saying that, Wang Jian was hoping Yu Wei would finally throw in the towel.
Yu Wei was not a fool and knew what game Wang Jian was playing.
At that moment, his guard's voice sounded in his mind, [Young Master Yu, the price has soared past the acceptable range for a Novice Grade Artifact. Giving up now wouldn't make you lose face. A true leader should know when to retreat and when to fight. Right now, the Young Master should retreat.]
[I can't. There are too many people here.] Yu Wei looked around as he bitterly said.
Just then, Meng Ruo's seductive voice sounded, placing extra pressure on Yu Wei. "6,700 Gold Coins going once…"
Yu Wei started sweating, and his legs subtly began trembling.
"Heh, Young Master Yu, why are you looking around?" Wang Jian innocently asked him. "Could it be that you ran out of funds already? What a pity."
"6,700 Gold Coins going twice…" Meng Ruo said, deliberately pausing, knowing Yu Wei would take Wang Jian's bait.
[Young Master Yu, momentary humiliation is not comparable to losing a great deal of wealth.] Yu Wei's guard said worriedly.
[Fine.] Yu Wei said with his teeth gritted.
"This Young Master gives up."
As soon as Yu Wei finished speaking, many guests smiled mockingly, while some even whispered.
"I always knew Young Master Yu Wei was beneath Young Master Wang Jian."
"Young Master Wang Jian is truly mighty."
"I wonder who will win the Jade Essence Bracelet."
"Tch, do you even have to wonder? Isn't it obvious Sir James will be the final winner?"
Since Mana Sense was not allowed, Yu Wei did not know who spoke those words. Frustrated and ashamed, he slouched in his chair.
Wang Jian, on the other hand, would not let this opportunity slip by. Before they were mere strangers, but after today, they had become rivals.
"Yu Wei, has the Yu Family fallen so low they can't even continue bidding in Gold Coins?" Wang Jian laughed mockingly. "If that's the case, you might as well leave the Auction House."
Yu Wei continued gritting his teeth, refusing to speak. Any words he said would be useless.
After laughing for a few more seconds, Wang Jian grew bored, so he turned his head to the seductive Meng Ruo on stage, "Miss Meng Ruo, you will have to forgive this Young Master."
Meng Ruo, who had stopped counting down, which though unprofessional, no one in the venue dared complain, furrowed her brows, "Why is Young Master Wang apologizing?"
Wang Jian sighed, "This Young Master dares bid against the poor brat from the Yu Family, but how can I dare bid against Sir James? Therefore, I hope Miss can forgive me."
"Ahh, Young Master Wang isn't only rich but is also forward-thinking. Any woman fortunate enough to catch your eyes would be the luckiest woman in the world."
"Haha, Miss Meng Ruo praises this Young Master too much. I wonder if Miss would honor me-"
However, before Wang Jian could invite Meng Ruo out on a date, James' voice resounded in the venue, "Miss Meng Ruo, I don't mean to be rude, but I hope you understand there is a time and place to flirt."
Meng Ruo stiffened and unconsciously nodded. She was not flirting but knew better than to retort.
"That was Sir James' voice."
"Did you hear the annoyance in his voice?"
"I would be mad if I were Sir James, as well."
"Ahem. Please forgive me, Sir James, I got carried away." Meng Ruo awkwardly coughed, attracting everyone's attention to her, "6,700 Gold Coins going once."
"6,700 Gold Coins going twice."
"Sold for 6,700 Gold Coins. Congratulations to Young Master Wang Jian for being the first winner of this auction. Would you like to pay first and acquire the Jade Essence Bracelet now or receive it at the end of the auction?"
After Meng Ruo finished speaking, an awkward atmosphere suddenly engulfed the auction venue. The guests, who were ready to clap for the winner of the first item, froze in their tracks with their hands inches away from each other.
"WHAT!? Miss Meng Ruo, you made a mistake. You meant to say, 'Sir James Orchard', right?" Wang Jian corrected her, breaking the eerie and awkward silence.
The guests there also believed Meng Ruo had made a mistake in calling out the winner's name.
On the other hand, the people in the only occupied VVVIP Room were gazing at Lily with weird expressions.
'I thought she would do it, but to think she actually did it.'
Meng Ruo shook her head, "Young Master Wang Jian, I didn't make a mistake, please look at the screen."
Hearing what she said, Wang Jian felt a sudden ominous feeling as he turned his head and looked at the highest bidder:
6,700 Gold Coins - Wang Jian
"This… this… Has to be a mistake…" Wang Jian refused to believe what his eyes were seeing.
Seeing Wang Jian's expression of pain and unwillingness, Yu Wei burst into a fit of laughter, "HAHAHAHA, Young Master Wang Jian. Oh, Young Master Wang Jian. Weren't you so arrogant before? Didn't you say you can continue bidding forever? Surely, a few thousand Gold Coins is nothing for the mighty and forward-thinking Young Master Wang?"
Meng Ruo's delicate eyebrows furrowed, but after a moment, they returned to normal, realizing his words were not meant to ridicule her.
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Ignoring Yu Wei, Wang Jian said, "What about Sir James? Why didn't he continue to bid?"
Wang Jian desperately hoped the Runic Formations inscribed onto the walls of the VVVIP Room blocked James' voice; therefore, they did not hear his bid.
Hearing his desperate plea, James' jovial voice resounded again, "I realized that Young Master Wang Jian really wanted to acquire the Jade Essence Bracelet, and taking into consideration my deep friendship with your father, decided to give up bidding. You don't have to thank me."
In an instant, Wang Jian's face paled.
'Thank your mother!'
If Wang Jian could, at this very moment, he would want nothing more than to bash James' face into a wall.
"Sir James… you… you." Wang Jian stuttered and struggled to find the right words to say. He could not believe that he had ended up acquiring the Jade Essence Bracelet — an item he had not truly wanted but had continued bidding on purely out of pride.
"You are surprisingly quite evil," Lane said coldly.
"We-
Agree." The twins nodded, agreeing with Lane's assessment.
"Haah, why do you have to create trouble?" Garrett sighed and looked at James apologetically, "Sir James, once again, I am sorry."
James chuckled and waved his hand dismissively, "I don't mind. Miss, can continue using my voice. Of course, as long as you don't go overboard. I would like to keep my status as an Orchard."
"I would never harm Sir James, you've helped my Big Brother Lucian many times." Lily nodded with a serious expression.
"Young Master Wang Jian, would you like to proceed with payment now, or would you prefer to wait until the end of the auction?" Meng Ruo asked.
Wang Jian's face darkened, but with no other choice, he nodded stiffly, "I'll pay now."
His Spatial Ring glowed and 6,700 Gold Coins appeared on the table.
After a while, an attendant approached the table, swiped her Mana Sense over the Gold Coins, then accepted them with a bow.
"Young Master Wang Jian, here is your Jade Essence Bracelet. Congratulations." The attendant said as she handed him the bracelet before leaving.
At that moment, James' voice once again resounded in the venue, "Congratulations, Miss Meng Ruo, for successfully acquiring the Jade Essence Bracelet."
The guests became confused at his words, wondering if James made a mistake. It was obviously Wang Jian who won the Jade Essence Bracelet. Then why did he congratulate Meng Ruo for acquiring it?
"Evil," Lane muttered, realizing what Lily was planning.
The twins nodded, while Garrett and Fenwick exchanged a happy smile.
[Lily is back to her normal self.] Fenwick said to Garrett.
[Mn. I don't want to see my sister taken away … but… maybe it's for the best.] Garrett sighed. Her happiness was what mattered to him the most.