As I walked deeper into the auction hall, I calmly surveyed the enormous room around me. The venue was far larger and more impressive than it had appeared from the outside. Nearly every seat was already occupied by expensively dressed businessmen, investors, politicians, corporate executives, and other influential figures. Conversations drifted through the air from every direction as people discussed.Investment opportunities, stock market movements, business acquisitions, and, most importantly, the upcoming auction for Hi-Tech Power.The entire atmosphere radiated wealth, influence, and power.I stood quietly near the entrance for a brief moment and took everything in. Although I had more than enough money to draw attention if I wanted to, I had no interest in becoming the center of attention before the auction even began. For that reason, I deliberately avoided the front rows where most of the influential guests had gathered and instead made my way toward the rear section of th

The woman noticed immediately.A faint frown appeared on her face.It was obvious that she expected some kind of reaction from me.Perhaps she wanted me to look shocked.Perhaps she wanted me to feel intimidated.Maybe she wanted me to admit that she was right.Unfortunately for her, I had no intention of doing any of those things.The woman let out a small scoff before shaking her head."It seems you really do not want to listen to good advice," she said.I said nothing.She folded her arms across her chest and repeated again."I am honestly trying to help you avoid embarrassing yourself."Still, I remained silent.The woman sighed dramatically."If you leave now, nobody will remember that you were ever here."I kept my eyes fixed on the stage.The woman laughed softly."But if you stay much longer, you might become the biggest joke in this entire building."Several people seated nearby chuckled after hearing her comment.I paid absolutely no attention to them.At that moment, the CE

Then I stepped forward calmly while the entire auction hall remained trapped in absolute silence.The shock hanging in the air was tangible.Moments earlier, people had been laughing at me.They had mocked me.They had treated me like an intruder who somehow wandered into a room reserved for people they considered important.Now, those same people were staring at me as though they had just seen a ghost.Not a single person seemed capable of speaking.Even the woman who had spent the entire evening ridiculing me looked completely frozen in her seat.Her mouth hung slightly open.Her eyes were wide.The confidence she had displayed only moments ago had vanished completely.I paid no attention to any of them.Instead, I walked directly toward the stage.My footsteps echoed softly throughout the hall.Every pair of eyes followed me.The CEO was still standing there holding the microphone.His face had become stiff with disbelief.Honestly, I could not blame him.After all, a man who had a

The moment I stepped out of the private chamber and returned to the main auction hall.I immediately noticed that the atmosphere inside the room had changed completely.Earlier, I had been treated like an unwanted guest.People had looked at me with contempt.Some had mocked me openly.Others had laughed behind my back.Now, however, those same people were staring at me very differently.The moment I emerged from the private chamber with the signed ownership documents in my hand, conversations throughout the hall began to die down.Heads turned in my direction.Several people whispered among themselves.Others simply stared openly.Honestly, it was amusing how quickly people's opinions changed once money entered the conversation.I continued walking calmly toward the exit without paying attention to any of them.However, I had barely taken a few steps before somebody suddenly rushed toward me."Mr. Storm!"I stopped walking.The voice sounded familiar.Very familiar.I turned my head

SONIA'S POVThe moment the luxury vehicle rolled through the massive iron gates of the Davenport Mansion.I felt a small portion of the tension in my chest begin to loosen.It was not because I was happy.Far from it.The anger burning inside me was still very much alive. Ever since the disaster involving the poisoned wine and our arrest, I had been unable to think about anything else. Every memory of the incident made my blood boil.The vehicle finally came to a stop in front of the mansion's grand entrance.Before the driver could step out and open the door for me, I pushed it open myself and climbed out.Greg quickly followed behind me.Neither of us spoke as we walked toward the entrance. Several servants standing by the doorway immediately bowed respectfully."Welcome home, Miss Davenport," one of them greeted."Welcome, Mr. Winchester," another servant added.I barely acknowledged them.At that moment, all I wanted was to get inside.The moment Greg and I stepped into the eno