Chapter 4 Storming the Auction

• Isabelle didn’t say a word as she headed upstairs, tears flowing from her eyes once again. She didn't understand why Evelyn was behaving that way.
• "Everyone of you bullies me! I will never come back!" Seeing that her parents weren’t standing up for her, Evelyn ran out in tears.
• At this moment, Landon pulled up in a Mercedes and stopped in front of Stephan. "Sir, where do we go?"
• Getting into the car, Stephan didn’t blame Landon for failing to uncover the existence of Lily. After all, hiding the identity of a little girl was far too easy.
• "The auction of the Carter family," replied Stephan.
• "Yes, sir." As one of Stephan’s four guardians, Landon had already familiarized himself with everything about Newbridge before their return. That was the basic duty of a guardian.
• Time passed as the car drove into the main city. Landon, however, was trembling with anxiety. Stephan’s current state was off, very off. He had never seen him like this, not even when Isabelle had been forced into another matchmaking event.
• "Landon, I have a daughter," Stephan said out of the blue.
• At those words, sweat immediately beaded on Landon’s forehead. He quickly pulled over and, drawing a gun from his pocket, pressed it to his head. "Sir, I have failed in my duties. If there is a next life, I will still follow you into battle!"
• "Did I tell you to die?" The icy voice cut through the air, and Landon’s finger trembled, but he ultimately didn’t pull the trigger.
• Next, he heard something that felt like the end of the world. "She is being auctioned."
• Time passed, and when the car finally stopped, Landon pointed to a small convenience store nearby.
• "Sir, the entrance to the Carter family auction house is inside that store. Please allow me to lead the way. Anyone who dares to harm your daughter will be annihilated."
• "I will handle it myself. She’s my daughter. Right now, she needs her father," replied Stephan.
• Opening the car door, Stephan entered the store and glanced at the young man behind the counter, who was engrossed in his phone. "Open the entrance to the auction."
• Without even looking up, the young man said automatically, "Show your membership card."
• Stephan slammed his hand down, shattering the entire counter into pieces. The man, still holding his phone, was left dumbfounded.
• "This is my membership card."
• Swallowing hard, he quickly pressed a button, and a hidden door opened on the wall.
• Ignoring the man as he fled, Stephan stepped through the secret entrance and descended the stairs. At the bottom, he found a brightly lit hall.
• "One million dollars, sold! Now, let’s bring out the eighth item up for auction." On stage, the auctioneer’s voice fell as two men in black pushed forward a metal cage.
• Inside the cage was a little girl of no more than three years old. She curled up and shook uncontrollably in fear.
• "A healthy little girl, two years and eleven months old, with full family authorization and no genetic disorders. She could be your daughter, your slave, or your anything."
• "The starting bid is 100 thousand dollars. Increments must be no less than 10 thousand dollars."
• Looking at the little girl, a deep, primal connection surged through Stephan. He was sure that she was his daughter.
• Suppressing his turbulent emotions, he slowly walked toward the stage.
• "One hundred thousand."
• "One hundred twenty thousand."
• "One hundred fifty thousand."
• The bids came one after another, and Stephan memorized each person who raised their hand.
• "One hundred fifty thousand! Do I hear anything higher?"
• The auctioneer was getting excited. He knew that members of the cash-rich Serpent Order were attending today.
• The members of this cult specialized in controlling venomous creatures, particularly serpents and insects. They believed that by allowing these creatures to bite or sting them, they were granted immunity and divine strength. Most importantly, they loved to experiment on children.
• "Two million dollars."
• As expected by the auctioneer, a voice called out a higher bid, echoing through the hall. He was thrilled and was about to speak when he noticed Stephan approaching the stage. "Sir, please sit down and do not disrupt the auction."
• "One billion dollars for the lives of everyone here," When Stephan didn’t stop and even uttered such outrageous words, several security guards rushed toward him.
• "Stop right there!"
• But before they could get close, he leaped into the air and landed right next to the metal cage.
• "Lily, I’m so sorry." Seeing the frightened look on her face, an overwhelming sense of guilt washed over Stephan, while the beast within him roared with fury.