The next day, I was awoken at the crack of dawn by the urgent ringtone of my phone."Are you awake, Mr. Floyd?"Groggily tapping the green button to accept the call, I was greeted with a sweet, familiar voice. "We're going to the auction today, Mr. Floyd. Didn't Jason tell you about it yesterday?""Yeah, but he left out the part about how early it was going to be!""I knew I shouldn't have counted on him." Iris sighed. "Anyway, the auction house we're going to is located in the capital city. It's four hours from here to Caldwell. If we leave too late, we won't make it in time for the start of the auction.""Ah… is that so? I'll get up right away and text you the address. You can come pick me up anytime.""Certainly, Mr. Floyd."I did as promised, then brushed my teeth and washed my face. There was barely enough time to change into my outdoor clothes before Iris' van arrived at my door.We headed straight for Caldwell once I got on. Afte

Cecilia's words caused a hubbub among the crowd. I could hear people gnashing their teeth already.If it were not for her family's prominence, I suspected that a mob would have formed around the stage on the spot."Please quiet down and let me finish, all right?"The sweetness of Cecilia's voice helped to mellow her listeners. "As a daughter of the Byron family, my lack of public appearances must be a mystery to many. Let me show you the reason for that…"She picked up the bangs covering half her face, revealing a huge blackish birthmark beneath.Judged by their merits alone, her features were delicately carved into an image of near perfection.Alas, the gross size of the dark patch marred her otherwise wonderful face in an indelible way. In all honesty, many people would probably find her current appearance hideous instead."No wonder the Byrons' daughter never shows herself in public. With a face like that… it all makes sense now."<

“You got a problem with me?”I locked gazes with Barrett Hayward.Invisible sparks flew in the air between us. A physical confrontation was bound to happen at any moment.“Some things aren’t meant for just anyone to have, kid.” Barrett narrowed his eyes. “If you know what’s good for you, you better give it up right now!”“A reminder, Mr. Hayward: Mr. Floyd’s energy stone was a personal gift from Miss Byron. Is it really all right for you to try to rob him so openly? We’re in Caldwell, not Blythwood. The Byrons are sure to find out about this later!”An irate Iris uttered a strikingly harsh censure, but Barrett brushed her off.“I already told you, lady. This is none of your business. So, stop trying to insert yourself into this.” His eyes grew colder and colder. “You’re gonna give up that stone today whether you like it or not. You better take the easy way ou

The van drove at breakneck speed along the highway.Inside its sumptuous interior, Iris kept looking me up and down several times now. I had to admit that she was making me nervous.“Why are you looking at me like that, Iris?”I finally broke the awkward silence.“Oh, nothing. I’m just thinking and wondering about how mysterious you are.”“I’m just a normal guy.” I chuckled. “The same William Floyd you’ve always known. What’s so mysterious about me?”“Your strength powers,” Iris muttered. “I thought they were rank D at most, but you took on Barrett Hayward like it was nothing. I’m wondering whether I’ve misjudged you somehow. There’s definitely more to you than meets the eye.”“It was a coincidence!” I opened my palms as a show of innocence. “Barrett was dumb enough to stick his foot through the door of your van. He go

“I don’t know how you managed to pull the wool over Mr. Hounslow’s eyes, but I’m warning you now—he’s not one to be trifled with!”Isolde glared at the expensive wine on the table. “How can he give such an expensive wine to a bottom feeder like you? Have you thought about the consequences once he finds out who you really are? This wine won’t be so free then!”“I appreciate your concern.” Whenever it came to Isolde, I could only smile and nod. My fiancée was the only person in the room actually worth my time, anyway.Eirwen had been quite upset ever since we came here. I was glad to see that Gareth Hounslow’s brief stint in the room had brightened her mood.“I doubt any of your relatives are brave enough to drink with us, Eirwen,” I said. “You haven’t had much to eat today, either. Why don’t we go elsewhere and have a drink together?”&ldqu