Chapter 82: The Auction

She had originally intended to dress up splendidly so as not to embarrass Mr. Kassadin, but as soon as he arrived, he became the center of attention on his own.

Although she had seen the Void and knew very well the extent of Mr. Kassadin’s power, Sonia was not entirely sure how the outside world perceived him. So she decided that after this matter was settled, she would investigate—ask around and learn more about his reputation.

Harvey sensed the many furtive glances cast in his direction, but paid them no mind. His identity as Kassadin here was different from his days back on Blue Star. Under the name of Kassadin, he needed to leave the galaxy with an impression of overwhelming strength, so as to attract more people to join the Void. That others might regard him with wariness or even fear was to be expected.

“Let’s go. The sooner we finish this, the better,” Harvey said, noticing Sonia stealing glances at him, her eyes full of curiosity. He offered no explanations, only these words.

“All right,” Sonia replied. Now she understood why Mr. Kassadin had said that the auction was not an important occasion. Still, since she had already dressed up, there was no turning back, so she could only hope to conclude matters quickly.

Some of the women accompanying the other men noticed their benefactors’ interest in the newcomer and became curious about him as well. They, too, began to steal glances at Kassadin, eager to learn who he really was. Even though his face was concealed, his dignified, mysterious air and the imposing presence of a man of power left no doubt that his identity was anything but ordinary. Kassadin’s tall, strong frame stood in stark contrast to the corpulent men at their sides, filling these women with envy, jealousy, and resentment toward Sonia, who walked with him.

“Mr. Kassadin, it seems that in the future, I’ll have to be more mindful of my conduct when accompanying you…” Sonia murmured, feeling the murderous, covetous stares from all around. She knew that if she had walked beside him without holding his arm, the hostility would not have been nearly as intense.

“I told you, there was no need to go this far,” Harvey replied calmly, long accustomed to such looks from women. Even back in New York on Blue Star, where being Asian was not exactly advantageous in America, his striking appearance and legendary rise to power drew countless admiring glances wherever he went. Such attention had long ceased to affect him in the slightest.

“I’ll remember that in the future,” Sonia nodded at Mr. Kassadin’s gentle reminder. Still, as she glanced around, she couldn’t help but find these women rather naive. Indeed, Mr. Kassadin’s concealed face suggested a handsome man beneath, but in reality, when the mask was removed, nothing but golden light could be seen—his true appearance was completely hidden. If these women knew that, perhaps they wouldn’t look at her this way.

No matter how she felt inside, Sonia kept a charming smile on her face, gracefully holding Kassadin’s arm as they crossed the red carpet into the hall.

The venue was arranged as a tiered gallery with nine levels in total. The higher one’s seat, the higher one’s status. The decor was lavish, reminiscent of a grand banquet hall. Sonia and Kassadin made their way to the sixth level—not too high nor too low, indicating an upper-middle position that would not attract idle gossip.

Sonia sat upright, not knowing exactly which parcel of land Mr. Kassadin intended to bid on. Her only duty was to sign her name as the owner of any land Mr. Kassadin acquired. Such arrangements were not uncommon on Xandar; lending one’s name could yield a handsome reward, though it involved certain risks. If not for her faith in the Void, Sonia would have refused even a generous payment from Mr. Kassadin, for the risks extended far beyond mere imprisonment—one could be saddled with crushing debt, and if unable to repay, forced to submit to another’s will, perhaps becoming a lover or even a courtesan for life.

But knowing Mr. Kassadin’s strength, Sonia had no real concerns about danger. She had also received her promised reward: freedom from the requirement to remain on call twenty-four hours a day. Though she would still serve Mr. Kassadin, it was a far lighter burden than serving other clients. In the months she had been with him, she’d been able to bathe, care for her skin, and sleep peacefully in her own bed at night, instead of maintaining full makeup and dozing on the sofa, ever ready for a midnight summons. Such routines had affected not only her own reputation among clients but the standing of the prestigious hotel as well.

As time passed, more and more people arrived, each heading to their respective levels. The auction manager, dressed in a suit and tie, began a warm-up speech before the ceremony, welcoming all the distinguished guests. He kept it brief, knowing full well why everyone was here.

“The first item up for auction is a small island, one hundred and twenty kilometers off the coast of Xandar City,” he announced. “I’m sure you all know that this island’s location, landscape, and climate make it ideal for development as a luxury resort. Its proximity to Xandar ensures a steady flow of visitors—and whoever acquires it will be securing a source of endless profit.”

As he spoke, a holographic projection appeared, showing drone footage of the island from every angle. Finally, the drone pulled back for a bird’s-eye view, displaying the entire island to the assembled guests.

“The starting bid is two hundred million, with minimum increments of ten million,” the manager concluded.

No one bid immediately. Instead, everyone watched the others. Buying an island was only the beginning; the real costs would come with its development. The less spent on the initial purchase, the more funds could be reserved for investment—otherwise, if the cash flow failed, one might be forced to resell at a loss.

Harvey considered the island thoughtfully. His goal was to find a spacious site for the construction of the Temple of the Void. It had to be a place not only for worship but also for followers of the Void to train and grow familiar with their powers. The faith promised not only strength but also a sense of belonging—fostering devotion and reverence for the temple’s laws, and preventing the chaos of kin-devouring that could tarnish the Void’s reputation at its inception.

This island’s location was well-suited—it was remote enough to keep out outsiders. Without hesitation, Harvey raised his bidding paddle.

“Two hundred and fifty million.”