The moment Harry’s words cut through the air, Cynthia's gaze swept over him slowly as though he were something unworthy clinging to the bottom of her shoe.“And yet, with all your so-called status and value, you still tremble at the shadow of the man you call nothing. If he’s worthless, what does that make you—Pathetic.”With that, Cynthia’s grip on Antonio’s arm tightened as she turned away, not sparing Harry a single glance.“Leave the fool to his own madness. He isn’t worth our breath. Let’s go.”Antonio, who had been calm the entire time, allowed a faint smile to flicker across his lips. There was no point stooping to Harry’s level. He turned away, guiding Cynthia forward. The dismissal only infuriated Harry further. His face flushed red as he began to shout after them.“You think you’re something, loser? You’re nothing but dung she picked up from the gutter! And you, Cynthia—cheap! You had your choice of real men, but you chose this useless trash!”His voice cracked with veno

Harry was waiting for the moment the emcee would realize her blunder. Surely, she couldn’t have meant to call Antonio’s name. A lowlife like him had no business being at the high table.Harry was so certain of it that he sat upright, expecting her to stutter, blush, and then correct herself.But the emcee’s voice rang clearly again, cutting across the hall.“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. Antonio Morris.”Gasps whispered through the hall like a ripple in calm water.Alder, seated near the corner with Elaine, blinked in disbelief. His jaw slackened as he leaned toward her. “Did she just…?”Elaine’s eyes widened. “Yes. She did.”It made no sense. The high table was reserved for only the most powerful and influential—business moguls, political elites, and names that carried weight in every corner of society. Antonio Morris?That name wasn’t supposed to be spoken in such a setting. Elaine exchanged a look with Alder, both of them mirroring the same thought: Who had made

The moment Robert Adams boldly announced his bid, the hall froze.His voice carried a kind of self-assured arrogance.Gasps and whispers filled the air.To everyone present, it was clear: the bidding had ended. No one in their right mind, and certainly none among the current competitors, could possibly match that. After all, there was no sense in continuing to bid and throwing away more money on the perfume. It was clear that Robert was determined to have it at any cost. He was notorious for his ruthless pursuit of whatever caught his eye—someone no one dared to cross.And with such a sum placed on the table, most of the guests felt it was pointless to go further.“It’s over,” someone whispered from the back row.“Who could possibly top that?” another muttered.“Only a fool would try.”Robert smirked as he reclined slightly in his chair, confidence oozing from his every gesture. Even with so many wealthy people in the hall, everyone sensed it was futile to continue—especially wit

Antonio’s raised his paddle without hesitation. “Seven hundred thousand.”The crowd stirred.“Eight hundred and fifty,” Harry snapped.“One million, two hundred thousand.” Antonio’s reply was calm and resolute.The hall fell into murmurs again.But this time, other paddles rose as well.“One million, three hundred thousand!” a man from the far left called out.“One million, four hundred!” another lady quickly countered.Gasps swept through the hall as more of the wealthy elite joined in, eager to claim the legendary herb. Numbers rose with startling speed, each one higher than the last.Antonio didn’t flinch. “One million, six hundred thousand.”Harry’s face darkened. He leaned forward in his chair. “One million, eight hundred thousand!”“Two million!” another bidder shouted, raising his paddle.“Two million, two hundred thousand!” came another from the back.The air was thick with tension. Yet as the figures climbed, the battle between Antonio and Harry became more pronounced.

The color drained from Harry’s face, as if the very walls had closed in, conspiring to trap him in shame.His lie was exposed and his scheme was collapsing before everyone’s eyes, yet his ego refused to let him admit defeat.Forcing a shaky smile, he turned to Robert Adams, his voice trembling but desperate to sound casual.“Robert… have you forgotten already? You and I met back in college. Surely, you remember?”The attempt was flimsy and transparent to anyone with sense but it was all he could grasp.Before Robert could reply, Anthonio leaned forward, his tone dripping with mockery.“Forgotten? Robert, did you also forget it was Harry here who so gallantly rescued Elaine from your grasp? Or should I remind you how his mysterious connections suddenly came into play?”Alder was engaged in conversation with a group of dignitaries, leaving him absent when Harry’s deception was laid bare.Suspicion thickened the air and Elaine's eyes darted between Harry and Robert Adams.Robert’s lips c