Chapter 5 A Bloodbath at the Auction

• With a slight movement of his hands, the steel bars snapped inch by inch, leaving the security guards who had chased after him frozen in place. They were completely dumbfounded by Stephan's monstrous strength.
• "Daddy will take you home." Stephan extended his trembling right hand as he spoke.
• Lily looked into his eyes, sensing that he had no ill intentions. After hesitating for a moment, she actually took hold of his hand.
• The moment they touched, a tear slipped down from Stephan’s eye, as if, in an instant, he had gained the whole world.
• "Daddy? But Mommy said I don't have a father. Are you willing to be my father?" asked Lily naively.
• Stephan nodded firmly. "Yes, from today on, I am your father. No one will ever bully you again."
• In his arms, Lily wriggled with joy, babbling happily, unable to contain her excitement. "I finally have a daddy now! No one will ever call me a fatherless bastard again!"
• Upon hearing that, the atmosphere around Stephan shifted. Had it not been for his daughter in his arms, his fury would have unleashed far worse.
• Lifting his head, he scanned the faces of everyone below the stage. "Those who bid on my daughter earlier, come up and kneel to her and apologize."
• If not for Lily being present, none of those who had bid on her would be alive right now.
• Instead of responding to him, most were sneering. After all, this auction house belonged to the powerful Carter family of Newbridge. Otherwise, they wouldn't have dared to traffic human beings here.
• "Daddy, that’s not okay. Uncle told me to be well-behaved and polite when we arrived, or the people here wouldn’t like me. If they didn’t like me, no one would buy me."
• Hearing Lily's words, Stephan temporarily suppressed his rage. He smiled softly.
• "You can do whatever you want here.. Now, I will make them apologize to you, and they will have no choice."
• Lily wrinkled her nose. It seemed she understood, though at the same time, maybe she didn’t.
• "Who is this ignorant fool causing trouble here? Are you having a dead wish?" At that moment, a figure leaped down from the second floor, rushing toward the stage with a few quick strides.
• "It’s Edward Frost!"
• "Mr. Frost used to be a mercenary overseas in his youth, notorious for killing. His presence alone could silence a crying child. With him involved, this man is done for."
• Before Edward could get close, Stephan kicked him away with a single blow. Despite Edward's agile movements and deadly claws, it was useless. His body flew backward and slammed into the ground.
• Looking closer, his chest was caved in. He was undeniably dead.
• Everyone sucked in a cold breath. The fighter of the Carter family, the one responsible for overseeing the auction, had been killed by a single kick.
• "For the last time, those who bid on my daughter get up here and kneel to her, and apologize." Stephan’s voice rang out again. After hesitating for a moment, some people hurriedly stood and rushed toward the stage.
• After all, this man had dared to kill Edward without fear of offending the Carter family. There was nothing they could do against him.
• After the apologies, Stephan, holding Lily, jumped off the stage. As he passed by, everyone backed away frantically, not daring to even raise their heads.
• Reaching the last row, Stephan suddenly stopped and looked at the only person still sitting there, a young man with an air of arrogance.
• "Didn’t you place a bid?" he asked.
• The young man sneered. "I am from the Serpent—"
• Before he could finish, Stephan, shielding his daughter’s face against his chest, made his move. The man now lay slumped in his chair with a bloody hole in his forehead.
• "You missed your chance."
• It wasn’t until Stephan left that the auctioneer, whose legs had been shaking uncontrollably, collapsed to the ground.
• Along with his fear came a shadowy sense of satisfaction. Not only had Stephan offended the Carter family, but he had also killed a member of the Serpent Order. No matter who he was, his death would be ugly.
• As Stephan exited the convenience store, Landon approached. "Sir, allow me to lead my men in and wipe them all out."
• Landon was unwilling to let it go. He had made a mistake and wasn’t allowed to die for it, so he wanted to do something to make amends.
• Without breaking his stride, Stephan left him with a single command. "Leave them. I’ll return later to confirm a few things with them."
• Looking down at the now peacefully sleeping Lily, who seemed to have found her safe haven, a cold glint flashed in Stephan’s eyes. "Lily, we’re going home now. I will make things right for you."
• By the time they returned home, it was already dusk. When Stephan walked into the living room with Lily in his arms, Isabelle was overjoyed beyond words. Just at that moment, Lily woke up too.