Chapter 13 {Bidding}

The auctioneer, a man with a silver tongue and an impeccable suit, launched into his description of the first lot – a shimmering, obsidian amulet said to possess mystical properties. He spoke with theatrical flair, highlighting its historical significance and potential value. Bids began to trickle in, escalating quickly as wealthy patrons vied for possession of the coveted artifact.

Echinacia remained largely unfazed by the frenzy surrounding the auction. She had seen countless displays of wealth and extravagance in her past life, and they no longer held the same allure. Her focus was solely on the herb she sought – a far more valuable prize than any trinket or artifact.

As the bidding for the amulet reached its peak, Echinacia subtly shifted her attention to a small screen embedded in her wristband.

The screen displayed a live feed of the auction's inventory list, updated in realtime. It was a system she had discreetly installed prior to attending, allowing her to monitor the progress of each lot without drawing attention to herself. Scrolling through the list, her eyes scanned for the specific botanical designation she was searching for Silvanus Lumina.

Suddenly, a notification popped up on her screen: Lot 170: Silvanus Lumina Rare Medical Herb. Estimated Value: Undisclosed.

Echinacia's pulse quickened. Lot 170 was still several lots away, but she made a mental note of its position. She subtly adjusted her posture, leaning forward slightly to get a better view of the stage.

"Maxwell," she murmured quietly, barely audible above the rising din of the auction.

"I need you to stay here with Lulu. I have some business to attend to."

She glanced at her friend, who nodded understandingly. Maxwell looked up at his sister, his brow furrowed with concern.

"But sister, where are you going?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry.

Echinacia offered him a reassuring smile, ruffling his hair gently.

"I'll be back before you know it. Just stay here and enjoy the show with Lulu, okay?"

Without waiting for a response, she rose gracefully from her seat and melted into the crowd. Her movements were fluid and purposeful as she navigated through the sea of elegantly dressed patrons, her eyes fixed on the stage ahead.

As she approached the front of the room, Echinacia spotted a discreet doorway off to the side – an entrance reserved for VIP attendees and staff. She slipped through it unnoticed, disappearing into the shadows beyond.

Hostess Emily saw Echinacia and waved her over and she walked inside a vip room as she sat down Hostess Emily crossed her legs and she sat down.

"Sister Echinacia, here the Liun Herb," Hostess Emily said. Echinacia who now has a habit of wearing silk gloves reached over in truth the reason why because in her past life her fingers were destroyed and to hide it she wore gloves. But now they aren't destroyed but she has a habit of clenching her hands together.

"Thank you here is this, it's called the Luio Pouch it should help with your insomnia but it only last a month so have it on you the fragrance is also your favorite also I would like to change my VVIP name to Echinacia Roaz but don't tell anyone else," Echinacia said as she stood up and held the box in her hand.

"Sure well the other herb is about to be auction off," Hostess Emily said.

Echinacia nodded, her fingers tightening slightly around the Luio Pouch. She tucked it securely into her backpack, ensuring it was wellhidden from prying eyes.

"Thank you, Emily," she said softly, her gaze meeting the hostess's.

"I appreciate your discretion."

With a final nod, Echinacia turned and exited the VIP room, slipping back into the main auction hall unnoticed. She quickly made her way to the stage, where the auctioneer was just beginning to introduce Lot 170 – the Silvanus Lumina.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he announced, his voice booming through the microphone.

"We have reached a most extraordinary item tonight – a rare medicinal herb known as Silvanus Lumina."

He paused dramatically, allowing the murmurs of excitement to build before continuing.

"This herb is said to possess incredible healing properties, capable of curing even the most debilitating ailments."

Within the opulent confines of the first private room, a figure radiated an unsettling aura of power and intelligence far beyond his years. Stanford Keith Volkov, the ninth young master of the formidable Volkov family, sat poised and observant. Despite his youthful appearance barely seventeen years of age he possessed a presence that commanded respect and instilled a sense of unease in those around him.

His gaze was sharp and calculating, fixed intently on the auctioneer as he introduced Lot 170. A faint smirk played on his lips as he listened to the exaggerated descriptions of the Silvanus Lumina's purported healing properties. He knew better than to believe in such fanciful claims, yet he recognized its potential value.

Stanford's personal assistant, a sharpwitted young man named Alexei, stood attentively beside him. With a neatly trimmed beard and glasses perched on his nose, Alexei exuded an air of intellect and efficiency. He leaned in close to Stanford, murmuring softly.

"The Lumina is indeed rare, sir. Its properties have been the subject of much speculation in the medical community. If the rumors are true, it could be invaluable to our family's pharmaceutical division."

Stanford nodded imperceptibly, his eyes never leaving the stage. He signaled to one of his bodyguards, a hulking man with a scar across his cheek.

"Make sure we acquire that herb," he ordered quietly.

"Whatever the cost."

The bodyguard nodded solemnly and melted into the shadows, ready to execute Stanford's bidding instructions.

The auctioneer's voice boomed through the hall,

"Alright ladies and gentlemen, let's begin the bidding for Lot 170 – the Silvanus Lumina! Starting bid, one million pounds!"

A collective gasp rippled through the room as the initial price was announced. The air crackled with anticipation as medical professionals, pharmaceutical executives, and wealthy collectors alike leaned forward, eager to secure this coveted prize.

A distinguishedlooking gentleman in a tailored suit immediately raised his hand.

"One million and fifty thousand pounds!" he declared confidently.

Another bidder, a woman with fiery red hair and piercing green eyes, countered swiftly.

"Two million pounds!"

The bidding escalated rapidly, each increment increasing the tension in the room. The numbers climbed higher and higher five million, ten million, twenty million as the competition intensified.

A hush fell over the auction hall, a palpable tension hanging in the air. The sheer magnitude of Stanford Volkov's fifty million pound bid had effectively silenced the competition. The Volkov family's reputation preceded them – a web of power and influence that spanned continents, making any direct challenge a perilous gamble. No one dared to defy them.

Just as the auctioneer was about to declare Stanford the victor, a ripple of surprise ran through the crowd. Echinacia, seemingly out of nowhere, calmly raised her bid card.

"Fiftyfive million pounds," she stated, her voice clear and steady despite the sudden shift in atmosphere.

The whispers began immediately, spreading like wildfire through the room. Gasps of disbelief mingled with murmurs of speculation as attendees struggled to comprehend what they had just witnessed.