At that moment, the tension in the room was so thick anyone could practically taste it. Tyler didn't say a single word in response to the auctioneer's challenge. Instead, he simply started moving, his footsteps echoing against the polished marble floor as he made his way toward the front of the room. Every eye followed his movement, tracking him like predators watching prey.The walk to the podium felt longer than it actually was, each step building the suspense that had everyone holding their breath. Tyler's face remained completely neutral, giving away nothing about what he was thinking or feeling. He moved with the kind of calm confidence that either came from knowing someone was about to prove everyone wrong, or from being completely delusional about your situation.When Tyler finally reached the podium, he turned to face the crowd, but before he could open his mouth to speak, the auctioneer was already in motion. The man raised his hand and made a quick gesture toward the back of

At that moment, the auctioneer completely tuned out the harsh laughter and cruel comments floating around the room. He had made his decision, and he was going to see it through to the end, regardless of what anyone else thought about it. His hands moved with practiced efficiency as he took Tyler's plain-looking card and slid it smoothly into the payment terminal.The machine made a soft whirring sound as it read the card information, and then the screen lit up, displaying the transaction amount in bold numbers that seemed to glow under the auction hall's bright lights. Forty million dollars. The number looked almost surreal sitting there on the small screen.“Please provide your authentication,” the auctioneer said quietly to Tyler, gesturing toward the fingerprint scanner on the side of the device.Tyler stepped forward without any hesitation whatsoever and pressed his thumb firmly against the scanner. The device immediately began processing, its internal mechanisms working to verify

At that moment, without saying a word to anyone in the room, Tyler turned around and started walking toward the exit. His fingers were still wrapped around the crystal ball, holding it securely against his chest as he moved. The smooth surface felt warm against his palm, pulsing gently with the spiritual energy contained within.He didn't thank the auctioneer, didn't acknowledge the stunned crowd, didn't even glance back at Mr. Nathaniel or any of the other guests who had spent the last hour mocking him and questioning his legitimacy. As far as Tyler was concerned, they had already wasted enough of his time, and he had more important things to focus on now.His main priority was finding out who was in charge of this entire operation, who owned the auction house, who made the decisions about what items got sold and where those items came from. He needed names, contact information, connections to the suppliers and collectors who provided pieces like the crystal ball he now held.Because

Tyler nodded even though she couldn't see him, already getting a sense of where this conversation might be heading because he knew how these fancy university events worked, especially when they involved people from Princess Sophia's social circle.“Now, I usually attend these things every year, and normally I don't have any problems making excuses when I don't feel like going or when I'm too busy with other responsibilities,” Princess Sophia continued, her voice getting softer and more vulnerable as she spoke. “But this time feels different, Tyler. This time I feel like I can't just skip it and pretend I'm too busy or too sick to show up.”There was something in her voice that made Tyler's chest tighten with understanding, because he knew exactly what she was really talking about when she mentioned having limited time. Her condition, the thing that was slowly draining her spiritual energy and making her weaker each day, was always there in the background of every decision she made.“I

At that moment, hearing Princess Sophia's eager response and knowing that she was willing to provide him with the information he desperately needed about the auction house connections, Tyler found himself nodding his head even though she couldn't see him through the phone. “Alright then, no problem at all,” Tyler said, his voice carrying a tone of finality that told Princess Sophia he had made up his mind about the whole situation. “Since you're willing to answer my question and help me out with this information I need, then I'll definitely be going with you to this university get-together event. You've got yourself a companion for the evening.”Princess Sophia's relief was so obvious that Tyler could practically feel it radiating through the phone, and he heard her let out a breath she must have been holding while waiting for his answer. She was clearly thrilled that he had agreed to help her, and her voice became much more animated and enthusiastic as she responded.“Oh thank you