CHAPTER 50: PARTNER IN TROUBLE

Caleb’s next bid sparked another wave of amusement throughout the audience.

Murmurs rippled across the room, hushed chatter building as people tried to make sense of his actions.

Some simply couldn’t fathom the level of his apparent stupidity.

"Does he think raising the price tenfold will scare Eldora?" one man asked with a chuckle.

It was laughable—everyone knew Eldora had far deeper pockets than that.

And yet, to everyone’s surprise, Eldora didn’t place another bid.

He hesitated, his thoughts spinning.

Ever since Caleb had displayed his financial wit, Eldora had grown more cautious with each move.

And now—Caleb had suddenly chosen to spike the bid.

It was unexpected.

Too unexpected.

Eldora hesitated even more, replaying the situation in his mind.

’Is he trying to use such a minor item to bankrupt me? Is that his play? After playing it safe for so long... now he suddenly raises the stakes?’

A sense of unease crawled over him.

Something felt off. Too calculated.

Something just didn’t sit right.

Eldora didn’t want to gamble on placing the next bid.

Seconds passed.

Minutes crept by.

Yet still, not a word came from Eldora’s box.

Even the auctioneer, sensing the tension, had unconsciously extended the countdown, giving Eldora more time.

And still—silence.

No sound.

No response.

From the VIP box, Jin burst into laughter so loud he nearly fell out of his chair, clutching his stomach.

"What now? Don’t tell me you’re scared," he mocked, though he knew Eldora probably couldn’t hear him.

But the laughter? That echoed.

And it stung Eldora like a bee’s sting.

His pride took a blow.

He wanted to bid—badly. But there were too many risks involved.

Buying an item worth ten thousand dollars for more than ten times its actual value?

And worse, an item that wouldn’t add a single dime to his net worth?

Eldora wasn’t that foolish.

’Laugh all you want,’ he thought bitterly, ’for all I know, you might even be the one backing that guy... I won’t fall for your trap.’ He clenched his fists, holding himself back.

In the audience below, Katherine let out a soft, amused giggle.

She was genuinely entertained by her younger brother’s audacious performance.

"He played a clever game," she murmured, rising from her seat with effortless grace.

"Even if he fails in the end... at least he put on a good show for me."

Her gown swept across the floor like silk over water as she lifted its hem slightly, preparing to ascend the steps.

She walked toward the hall’s exit, naturally drawing attention to herself—but she didn’t look back.

She kept walking.

"At least Dad might’ve finally found someone suitable," she murmured with a soft smile, disappearing through the archway.

Jin Monrrow’s gaze followed her figure until it vanished.

He let out a tired sigh.

"I wonder why she never accepted the inheritance... Strange. If she had, I wouldn’t be here playing mind games with children. But," he tilted his head slightly toward Caleb’s direction, "on the bright side, I think I’ve found someone just as interesting as she is."

The auctioneer lingered at the podium, hesitating. He gave Eldora’s box a few more moments.

Caleb’s heart thudded in his chest.

Any word from Eldora now would ruin everything.

He only had around thirty thousand left. If he failed this mission, he’d lose fifty percent of his net worth.

A total crash—from grace to grass.

He couldn’t afford to fall that far. Not now.

The auctioneer finally picked up the mic and glanced one last time toward Eldora’s box.

Still no response.

There was no countdown. No closing bid from Eldora. The silence said it all.

"Lot 11 goes to Sir Caleb Monrrow!" the auctioneer declared with a bright smile.

Gasps erupted across the hall. All eyes turned toward Eldora’s box, wondering why he had backed down.

But none of them—at least not the idiots among them—had an answer.

And the smarter ones?

They could only scoff, thinking Caleb had just thrown away a ridiculous amount of money for nothing.

It was a stupid, reckless move.

For a normal person.

But not for Caleb Monrrow.

{Ding!}

{Mission accomplished!}

{5X 10 million 50 million}

{50 million has been credited to your account by XXX-XXX}

Caleb felt a surge of excitement.

Every fiber in his body wanted to leap, to scream in celebration.

He had done it.

He had actually defeated a billionaire in a bid war.

And not just any billionaire—but one nearly on par with his own father.

He thought it was impossible, but somehow, he had managed to pull it off!

If Eldora had pushed just a bit more, then a lot of things would’ve gone wrong.

It was a gamble, but it worked.

And now—he was going to enjoy every last benefit that came with it.

{Ding!}

{Jin Monrrow is highly impressed!}

{Extra reward: +10,000}

{+10 Respect}

{"Nonchalant Son Gains Recognition" - Completed!}

{Your influence grows! Your name spreads like wildfire. The potential heir of the Monrrow family has been made known!}

(⁠•⁠‿⁠•⁠) Congrats, Host!

{The system is excessively pleased. Another extra reward will be granted!}

{Skill Unlocked: Aphrodisiac}

{Skill Description: While in an enclosed space alone with the host, women are instantly aroused.}

{Skill Effect: +100 Charm when activated}

{Type: Passive | Activation Condition: Alone with a woman in an enclosed space}

’What kind of skill is this?’ Caleb blinked, confused.

{The kind that helps you do questionable things... while avoiding the questions.}

’Huh?’

At this point, Caleb didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.

It was the first time the system had actually responded to him in conversation, and the answer was just so... stupid.

He stared at the screen, stunned.

The more he interacted with the system, the more unhinged it seemed to become.

He couldn’t even decide whether to complain about how absurd it all was... or to be grateful that it kept throwing money his way.

With a tired sigh, Caleb looked down toward the stage.

The long battle was finally over.

Or so he thought.

His gaze shifted toward the glowing card encased in its protective barrier.

"Now we have to figure out what to do with that," Julia said, echoing his thoughts.

"At least Eldora didn’t take it home. God knows what would’ve happened," Caleb replied.

"Yeah," Julia nodded.

Just then, Naya stood and interrupted.

"Sorry, I need to use the bathroom," she said as she made her way to the door.

As it clicked shut behind her, Julia turned toward Caleb with a playful smile.

"I’m surprised you actually pulled it off without any support. Not gonna lie—even I’m impressed. And I guess Dad is too... You left a pretty good impression on the old man."

Meanwhile, the auctioneer returned to center stage, a bright smile plastered on his face.

"With that, we’ve reached the end of the High Crest Auction! A big thank you to all our VIP members for putting on such a good show tonight..."

He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Of course, when there’s a next time—you’ll be the first to know!"

With that, the auction officially ended.

Some guests stood and stormed out in frustration, bitter at losing items they had desperately wanted.

Others left with eager smiles, hurrying backstage to collect the treasures they had secured.

Jin didn’t waste time either. As soon as the final announcement dropped, he exited the hall with his secretary in tow.

Within minutes, the once buzzing chamber fell ghost silent.

Only few were left inside the hall, and that included Caleb and Julia.

"Well, I guess that’s my cue to leave... Time to go see how much I bagged from my auction," Julia said with a gleeful smile.

"You should come with me backstage. Let’s pick up the card while we’re at it," she offered.

Caleb didn’t hesitate.

"Sure."

They made their way toward the backstage area. But as they neared, faint sounds reached their ears—groans of pain, low and pained.

Julia and Caleb exchanged a look—sharp, immediate understanding passing between them.

Without another word, they broke into a run.

The closer they got, the clearer the scene became.

Every guard stationed in the hallway leading to the prize vault lay scattered across the floor.

Some were unmistakably lifeless.

Others still breathed—but barely. Their eyes were wide open in frozen horror, their expressions locked in a silent scream.

It was as if they had seen something they weren’t meant to.

Something that broke them.

Neither Caleb nor Julia needed to ask what had happened.

Their eyes darted forward to the center of the room.

The protective casing that once held the glowing card—gone.

Empty.

"They came sooner than we expected!" Julia shouted, her voice trembling with fury. "Damn it! Those bastards are always unpredictable—why now?!"

She clenched her fists, her frustration raw and visible.

But Caleb stood frozen.

Something was off.

Something more than the stolen card.

Something tugged at the edge of his mind, gnawed at his instincts.

’Why does it feel like I’m forgetting something...?’

{Ding!}

{Partner life in danger!}

"