Auction Secrets

Raina kept her head down and finished all the dumplings in the bowl in one go. She put down her spoon and suddenly asked softly, “Mr. Vexley, did you make these dumplings yourself?”

Leif caught her gaze and said casually, “Yeah. I learned how to make them a long time ago. If you like them, I can make them for you more often.”

A long time ago, someone had said the exact same thing to her.

That person had fumbled in the kitchen for a long time, wasting who knows how many ingredients, until their face was covered in flour and dust. Clumsily yet carefully, they brought her a bowl of dumplings that didn’t look very appealing, carrying it all the way to her without spilling a drop of soup.

She still remembered the taste of those dumplings to this day.

But the person who had carefully brought them over was already gone long ago.

Raina’s fingers twitched slightly, then she nodded and said, “Okay.”

Leif said, “Good.”

They exchanged a brief question and answer, and Raina diverted her attention away from those distant memories.

“Oh, by the way, there’s something I wanted to ask…” Raina made a fist with her right hand and knocked it into her left palm. “Do you know about the Auction held by the Medica Society?”

Though Leif was very wealthy and his Vexley Group owned a private hospital, he couldn’t possibly handle everything himself or know every detail.

But he replied, “Yes, I’m one of their top VIPs. They’re holding a small, private auction tonight. Are you interested, Miss Carrington?”

Raina was speechless for a moment.

She realized she had underestimated things.

Clearing her throat awkwardly, she said, “My senior brother called me last night. There’s a seller offering a Eclipse Vine—this herb is very effective for ‘Velvet Mercy’ (a certain condition). So tonight, we have to win it at the auction.”

Leif said, “Alright, I’ll make the arrangements.”

Raina’s lips twitched slightly, but then she thought, well, Gale is Leif’s own son, so it’s not inappropriate for him to handle these things.

She understood all this logically, but why did her chest feel a little sour?

Leif called Rael, and Rael immediately took the matter seriously and got to work.

At the same time, in a hotel...

Fenris and his family had been forcibly kicked out of the Carrington family mansion the day before. Originally, Fenris wanted Mireille to ask Jasper for help—since the Hale family owned many properties, they could easily lend one to solve the problem.

But Jasper made some excuse and sent Mireille away. Mireille, of course, didn’t dare tell Fenris the truth. Instead, she made up a plausible excuse and took the family to stay temporarily at a hotel.

“Mireille, what exactly is Jasper doing? It’s been so long—hasn’t he arranged anything yet? We can’t keep living in this dump forever!” Fenris’s face was pale as he complained.

Being thrown out still stuck in his throat like a bitter pill.

Mireille’s eyes flickered with displeasure, but she quickly put on a graceful smile and, with a soft, coaxing tone, said, “Dad, Jasper’s been really busy lately. You know how it is. It’s not good to trouble him with these little things, right?”

Mrs. Carrington hurried over to smooth things over, “That’s right. At a time like this, it’s better not to trouble Mireille too much. Once Mireille marries into the Hale family, she can live wherever she wants.”

Fenris’s eyes gleamed sharply, but he swallowed his anger and grumbled, “It’s all that wretched Raina’s fault! Always opposing me. If it weren’t for her, how would we have ended up like this?”

Mrs. Carrington seized the opportunity to pile on, sneering, “Exactly! Raina, that little wildcat, is so cold-hearted and ruthless. She actually kicked us out of the house! Remember when she got pregnant before marriage and caused that scandal? If we hadn’t been so forgiving, would she be where she is today? She has no shame at all.”

Fenris’s face twisted with rage, no longer looking like a father. He ground his teeth and snarled, “Enough already! Luckily, we still control the company. Just wait until the VIREXIN hits the market—I want to see what she can do to me then!”

Mireille glanced at Fenris, and just then her phone buzzed. She quickly looked down and then raised an eyebrow, saying proudly, “Dad, Jasper just told me he got the entry pass for tonight’s Medica Society auction. I’m going to meet him now. Tonight, I’ll be at the auction.”

Her tone was arrogant, her eyes shining brightly.

The Medica Society auction isn’t open to the public. Only elite, high-ranking members and successful individuals get invited.

Simply put, only the wealthy and powerful attend.

Originally, the Hale family didn’t even have the lowest membership in the Medica Society, let alone a pass to this private auction. But somehow, Lucas found a way to get Jasper the invitation.

“Really? That’s great, but…” Fenris’s eyes darted as he rubbed his hands, smiling, “Mireille, since Jasper can get a pass, could you maybe ask him if I can go too? Just take a look?”

The Medica Society auction was a dream for many—an icon of success.

Mireille thought to herself: I barely got this pass, how could there be a second one for Dad?

She smiled brightly and said, “The entry pass needs to be applied for well in advance. It’s too late this time. Maybe next time. Jasper’s waiting for me. I have to go.”

Fenris wanted to protest but held his tongue.

Mireille grabbed her phone and bag and rushed off to meet Jasper.

---

Night fell, and the city was ablaze with lights.

The Medica Society auction was not held at their building but in a quaint, antique-style building on the outskirts.

Gold lanterns hung high, casting a brilliant glow.

The auction hall was specially designed with three floors: regular members were only allowed on the first floor; general VIP members could access the second floor.

The third floor was reserved for the most prestigious guests. It was usually empty and rarely lit.

Each time a guest arrived and their identity was confirmed, a lantern outside their room was lit.

A glowing lantern signaled that the room was occupied and the guest had checked in.

Though the auction hadn’t officially started, many guests were already on-site. As they entered their rooms, lanterns lit up one by one, creating a beautiful yet eerie sea of light.

“Did you hear? The old Medica Society’s president himself is attending tonight. Wonder what rare treasures will be auctioned off.”

“I heard the third floor will have a lantern lit tonight. Is that true?”

***