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The narrative of the charity banquet seemed to have reached a delicate junction. The two heroines had each completed a move, leaving the score deadlocked.
Whether it was Cantarella's effortless, seasoned maturity or Coletta's proactive sincerity and spirited arguments, both had left a profound impression on the guests in attendance.
Meanwhile, the male lead who triggered this open and secret struggle—Rover—acted as if nothing were happening. Throughout the entire process, he remained almost detached, steering clear of the vortex swirling between the two women.
At times, he was led around the banquet by Cantarella, arm-in-arm, easily handling interactions with other Laguna celebrities. At other times, he was pulled away by Coletta to meet important members of the Mortari family.
Despite meeting countless faces, both old and new, in a short span of time, Rover showed not a single trace of fatigue. Holding his wine glass, he calmly handled the sycophancy of the vast majority of visitors with words of consistent humility.
Regarding this outsider—whom the Convent feared, whom Mortari treated as an honored guest of the highest order, and whom the Fesale family treated as a master—none of the Laguna elite present were fools. They all understood exactly why he could navigate between the three factions while remaining the favored choice of the two major families' leaders.
It was simply because, on this small chessboard called Laguna, the person before them literally possessed the only power capable of flipping the table.
In the world of Solaris, where the Lament and civilization coexist, strength is the ultimate foundation that decides everything. No matter how clever the methods of struggle or maneuvering, they must, in the end, be supported by sufficient raw power.
And ever since the departure of the Convent's Prelate—the one person who could ostensibly stabilize the order of Laguna—this "Crown-Taker" had become the sole arbiter in the upcoming grand game of power redistribution.
Consequently, everyone present hoped to make their face familiar to him. Even if they couldn't secure a friendship that would actually catch his eye, they at least wanted to ensure they didn't offend this formidable figure.
Inside Mortari's glass-domed banquet hall, wine continued to flow and the crowd remained dense.
As the clock struck ten times with a rhythmic dong, dong, dong, the climax of the charity banquet—the final auction segment—finally arrived.
The master of ceremonies stood on the stage, enthusiastically introducing precious lots one by one. From antique artworks to rare resonance materials and exclusive collections donated by major merchant guilds, the sounds of bidding rose and fell in a heated atmosphere.
This was an occasion to showcase one's charitable heart, but also a stage for the elite to wordlessly demonstrate their financial might.
Coletta sat in the front row, in the Mortari family's exclusive area, her mood somewhat bolstered by her previous small victory. She noticed Rover surrounded by several merchant guild presidents, seated in the VIP section not far away. Cantarella had not sat with the Fesale family delegation; instead, she remained by his side.
The auction proceeded in an orderly fashion. Coletta bid on several fine items on behalf of her family, performing an act of charity while winning applause for the Mortari name.
Then, the host used an extremely sensational tone to introduce the next lot: "Distinguished guests, the next item comes from the mysterious deep sea! It was brought back from the coastal waters bordering the Hidden Sea Proving Ground by our brave Resonators at great risk—an extremely rare Gilded Pearl!"
A waiter brought out a tray covered in black velvet. Resting upon it was a smooth, round pearl roughly the size of a pigeon's egg.
Unlike the gentle white of an ordinary pearl, it presented a gilded exterior, while the interior gave a fantastical sense of flowing liquid. It emitted a soft, pure halo that was breathtakingly beautiful.
"This pearl is not only peerlessly magnificent but also contains gentle oceanic resonance power. Wearing it long-term has the effect of calming the mind and nourishing the body, making it especially useful for Resonators."
"Starting bid: 500,000 Shell Credits! Each increment shall be no less than 50,000!"
A wave of amazement rippled through the hall. The quality and origin of this pearl were highly unique, undoubtedly making it one of the most brilliant lots of the evening.
Almost instantly, the bidding turned white-hot. Many noblewomen and wealthy merchants joined the fray.
Coletta was also deeply captivated by the pearl. Its color immediately reminded her of Rover's golden eyes, which occasionally emitted a gentle light.
Thus, a thought irresistibly surfaced: If I can win it... give it to him... or even just own it myself, it feels as if I could be a little closer to him.
"800,000!" Coletta raised her paddle for the first time, her voice crisp.
"1,000,000." A languid and familiar voice followed immediately from Cantarella's direction.
She didn't even raise a paddle herself; she simply lifted her chin slightly, and an attendant beside her raised the bidding sign on her behalf. She looked at Coletta, a trace of a faint smile on her lips, as if asking, "Are you following?"
Coletta's heart skipped a beat, but her competitiveness was instantly ignited. She knew this was no longer a simple charitable auction; it was another invisible contest between her and Cantarella. This was a battle of pure financial power and... sheer nerve.
"1,200,000!" Coletta raised her paddle again, refusing to back down.
"1,500,000." Cantarella's voice remained steady, even bordering on nonchalant, as if she were merely buying a common piece of candy.
The price climbed steadily, quickly breaking the two-million mark. Other bidders had tactfully withdrawn long ago, leaving only the duel between these two ladies. All eyes in the hall moved back and forth between the two women and the radiant pearl. Everyone saw that this was more than charity; it was a high-stakes gamble between the two top women of Laguna.
As the bidding went higher and higher, a fine sheen of sweat appeared on Coletta's forehead.
Two million Shell Credits was nothing to the Mortari family, which owned the Everard Bank and vaults, but to her personally, it was no longer a small sum—especially for a single pearl. As the family heir, her personal expenditures were subject to necessary restrictions. While she could occasionally spend a fortune, it was usually for extremely useful items rather than vanity accessories.
She subconsciously glanced at her grandfather. Old man Francis was still beaming, giving no sign of whether he supported or opposed her, merely looking at her with a gentle gaze.
She then looked at Rover. He was still gazing at the auction stage with a calm expression, seemingly indifferent to this struggle triggered by his presence—or perhaps he had long since seen through everything.
"2,500,000." Cantarella announced a new height once more.
She even picked up her wine glass and took a light sip, her posture incredibly elegant. It was as if she weren't bidding a sky-high price, but just stating a number.
Coletta was backed into a corner. Her pride and competitiveness wouldn't allow her to admit defeat here, especially losing to Cantarella in front of Rover!
"3,000,000!" She called out the number almost through gritted teeth, her voice carrying a nearly imperceptible tremble.
This was the limit of her personal vault for the month. Any higher, and she would need to apply to her grandfather for an additional allowance.
The audience in the hall whispered incessantly. Buying a decorative pearl for three million Shell Credits far exceeded its intrinsic value. Every gaze in the room focused on Cantarella, awaiting her response.
Coletta also turned her head, looking toward her with a face full of tension.
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+50 advanced chapters monthly on my patreon, join now and read...
Patreon.com/IndifferentVillain
Ur support keeps me motivated thanks in advance.
Chapter 260 is out on my patreon!!!!!
________