\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
Selene\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHow boring.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The words slipped from my lips before I could even think about it. My tone was flat, and indifferent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The two men sitting at the table turned to me, their faces a mix of confusion and surprise. Evelyn, beside me, stiffened as if she wanted to disappear under the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The man in white tilted his head slightly, golden eyes glinting with amusement. \u201cBoring?\u201d he repeated, as though he wasn\u2019t sure he\u2019d heard me right.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I nodded, meeting his gaze without flinching. \u201cYou\u2019re boring, old man.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
He blinked, and his brows arched in disbelief. \u201cBoring old man?\u201d he echoed, as if testing how the words sounded coming from my mouth. \u201cWhat gave you the idea I\u2019m old? I\u2019m quite young, actually. Twenty-eight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I shrugged. \u201cIt\u2019s only old men who think they can define what a person should or shouldn\u2019t like based on their gender. You must be one of those people who think a woman should like pretty things just because she\u2019s a woman, or that she can\u2019t fight just because she doesn\u2019t have a cock. So yes. You\u2019re an old man.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The table went dead silent.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn froze mid-breath, her face turning crimson. The man in white\u2019s raised his brows slightly, while the one in black cloak just stared.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Evelyn was the first to snap out of it. \u201cMy lady!\u201d she gasped, grabbing my arm, mortified. \u201cYou-you can\u2019t say words like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
I blinked, turning to her slowly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Oh, right. I almost forgot, I was back in the body of an eighteen-year-old.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I probably shouldn\u2019t be saying things like that so openly. But the habit was hard to kill. In my past lives, I\u2019d commanded men twice my size who spat curses, and I\u2019d learned to speak with a tone that made them listen.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Words like that were nothing to me.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I sighed softly and nodded. \u201cAlright, alright. I\u2019ll be careful.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I turned my gaze back to the two men, they were both watching me again. The one in black cloak\u2019s stare was unreadable, weighing me as though I were something worth studying. But the man in white laughed. A low, rough chuckle that drew curious glances from nearby tables.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I looked at him, unimpressed.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He leaned back in his chair, still smiling, eyes gleaming like he\u2019d just discovered something rare. \u201cLady,\u201d he said, his voice rich with amusement, \u201cyou\u2019re interesting. I\u2019ve never seen a woman like you before. And it\u2019s not every day someone gets to impress me, especially a woman. And oh, this time around,\u201d he added with a teasing tilt of his head, \u201cI\u2019m not being a boring old man. I\u2019m speaking the truth.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why was he talking as if I should care about that? As if I should feel honored that he found me interesting? His approval meant absolutely nothing.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I ignored him, turning my gaze to the front where the auctioneer\u2019s voice echoed across the grand hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cNow, for the next item,\u201d the auctioneer said with a bright smile, gesturing toward the cloth-covered pedestal beside her. \u201cThe item most people have been waiting for!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room shifted, excitement rippling through the crowd. Chairs creaked as people leaned forward, their eyes gleaming with desire. I stayed still, fingers drumming lightly against the armrest, already predicting what would happen next.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In a dramatic way, the woman pulled away the white cloth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Light spilled across the room. The crowd gasped.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, Goddess,\u201d someone whispered, voice trembling in awe. \u201cThey weren\u2019t lying, it\u2019s really the Moonstone Amulet.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s incredible.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard it was lost decades ago.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s worth so much, whoever gets it will be so lucky!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Their eyes burned with hunger, already calculating how much they could bid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
When I glanced at the two men beside me, they hadn\u2019t moved. Their gazes weren\u2019t even directed at the amulet. It was as if something that dazzled everyone else in the room was little more than dust to them.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The man in white smirked, gold eyes sliding toward me. \u201cNot interested too?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHmm. Should I be?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
His smile deepened, intrigued. \u201cI see.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The auctioneer lifted her voice again, cutting through the murmurs. \u201cAs you all know, the Moonstone Amulet is a legendary artifact capable of strengthening a wolf\u2019s power during a battle. Though the enhancement is temporary, it grants a single wolf the strength of ten wolves. It is a rare treasure indeed, one our auction house was fortunate enough to acquire.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crowd grew louder, restless with excitement.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure many of you will be heartbroken if you fail to obtain it,\u201d the auctioneer continued, grinning. \u201cSo please, bid well! The highest bidder will win!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
As expected, several eyes turned toward one particular table, the one where Kane, Sienna, and Cross sat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the Mooncrest temple group,\u201d someone whispered behind me. \u201cHe\u2019s definitely going to bid again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d another muttered. \u201cWe have to make sure someone beats him this time. He\u2019s already taken half the rare items tonight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd, people glaring daggers at Kane as if hatred could bankrupt him.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The auctioneer raised her hand. \u201cAlright, we will start the bidding for the Moonstone Amulet at two hundred go-\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFive hundred gold coins.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The hall fell silent,\u00a0<\/p>\n
The auctioneer froze mid-sentence. Her mouth was still open, the words caught somewhere between her throat and her disbelief.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Every head in the room turned, mine included.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the Mooncrest table, Cross had lazily raised his paddle. He was leaning back in his chair, eyes still closed, as if he hadn\u2019t\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:43 Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
just dropped the equivalent of a small fortune with a single breath.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kane blinked, then chuckled. \u201cYou know that\u2019s not how bidding works,\u201d he said, his tone playful. \u201cYou\u2019re supposed to let them think they have a chance before you crush their hopes.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Cross tilted his head slightly, not even opening his eyes. \u201cThat\u2019s a waste of time,\u201d he replied flatly. \u201cIt\u2019s faster to get it for Sienna without dealing with anyone.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The room buzzed with disbelief. People were so stunned they didn\u2019t even know whether to clap or curse.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFive hundred gold coins?\u201d someone whispered, voice trembling. \u201cThey\u2019re insane.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cInsane, but gods, look at them,\u201d another woman said, fanning herself. \u201cBoth handsome and rich? Their sister\u2019s so lucky.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI know right?\u201d another one added bitterly. \u201cI wish I had brothers like that.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Across the hall, Sienna blushed prettily at the compliments, lowering her gaze shyly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The auctioneer, snapping herself out of the daze, cleared her throat and forced a bright smile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFive hundred gold coins, going once, going twice\u2026\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
She paused dramatically, though everyone already knew the outcome.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cSold!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The gavel came down.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A heavy silence followed before the crowd erupted into murmurs again as the Moonstone Amulet was carefully removed from the stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The woman on stage clapped her hands together, her ruby-red lips stretching into a wide grin. \u201cOh, would you look at that! The auction tonight is even more interesting than I thought!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
No one matched her excitement. The crowd, still bitter about losing the Moonstone Amulet, only murmured half-heartedly. The woman\u2019s smile didn\u2019t falter; she was far too experienced to be discouraged.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCome now,\u201d she said sweetly, \u201cdon\u2019t be sad. There are still plenty of items left! And our next lot is quite the mystery.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Her tone carried just enough intrigue to pull everyone\u2019s attention back to the stage. I arched an eyebrow, curious despite myself.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis next one,\u201d she continued, \u201cisn\u2019t a single item but a collection, but a set of objects brought in together. Even we at the auction house have no idea what they are. But,\u201d she paused dramatically, \u201cyou never know when something that looks ordinary might turn out to be extraordinary.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
That caught people\u2019s attention.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cBring it in.\u201d At her command, two men appeared from the side of the stage, each carrying a large, old wooden box. They set it carefully on the table, and the auctioneer lifted the lid.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A puff of dust rose into the air.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Inside the box lay a messy assortment of rusted trinkets and broken fragments, metal plates, cracked stones, a few dull gems, and objects so corroded it was impossible to tell what they once were.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crowd\u2019s interest died instantly.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell is that?\u201d someone muttered loudly. \u201cThat\u2019s just junk.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:43 Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Chapter 29\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYeah,\u201d another scoffed. \u201cThey\u2019re selling trash now? Who\u2019d be crazy enough to buy something like that?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Laughter rippled through the room. Even Evelyn beside me looked unimpressed, tilting her head at the pile of rust and dust. But I felt my pulse quicken.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I leaned forward, eyes fixed on the box.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally.\u00a0<\/p>\n
A smile tugged at my lips.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Finally, it was here.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without hesitation, I reached for the paddle resting on the table. Evelyn turned to me, wide-eyed and confused, while the two cloaked men at my table glanced my way with curiosity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I lifted the paddle high and said clearly, my voice slicing through the stunned silence.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cOne silver!\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gasps echoed around the hall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The crowd turned toward me as if I\u2019d lost my mind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
12:44 Tue, Dec 23\u00a0<\/p>\n
Editorial Board: Our editorial team works behind the scenes to refine each chapter, maintain consistency, and deliver the best reading experience.<\/p>\n
Hope Is Not Optional \u2014 Manuel Flores 29 \u00a0 Chapter 29\u00a0 Chapter 29\u00a0 Selene\u00a0 \u201cHow boring.\u201d\u00a0 The words slipped from […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[82],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-27823","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-ruthless-tycoons-obsession-novel"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27823","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27823"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27823\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27823"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27823"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kezpres.xyz\/novelreading\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27823"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}