Ann Vaughn spoke as she picked up the invitation to take a look. Upon seeing a list of rare medicinal herbs listed on it, her words suddenly took a turn, "I think I should give it a try after all, given such a demanding task, who else but me, right?"
Oh my, where on earth did The Gilded Pavilion find so many rare medicinal herbs? It’s unbelievably extravagant!
Seeing Ann Vaughn’s expression change to one of instant interest, Sutton Jennings slightly covered his lips to prevent himself from laughing too noticeably, though his peach-shaped eyes were full of amusement.
"Alright, I’ll come by tomorrow night to pick you up."
Once Sutton Jennings left the apartment, Ann Vaughn finally entered the newly renovated laboratory, surveyed it, and felt fairly satisfied.
Considering the limited space, achieving this scale in such a short time required Sutton Jennings to put in substantial effort and time.
Ann Vaughn took a folder marked "Cancer Cell Inhibitor" from the cabinet and sat down at the table to start working.
She hadn’t officially begun to extract this inhibitor yet, as she was still missing a few herbs, which the rewards from The Gilded Pavilion just happened to include.
If the herbs were flown in from another country, it would take too long, and Ann Vaughn didn’t want to wait.
After finally leaving aside her current work, Ann Vaughn emerged from the laboratory and called out into the still-lit living room.
"Sweetie, Mommy is taking you to bed."
"Coming!" Kenny snapped shut the laptop he had been sending messages on and jumped off the sofa, running over with quick footsteps.
Soon, Ann Vaughn carried a bundle dressed in panda pajamas into the bedroom.
At the scene of The Gilded Pavilion auction, the lights were dazzling and celebrities gathered.
Inside the venue, it was arranged in a trapezoid, divided into two levels—one upper, one lower—all surrounding the central auction platform.
The lower level had more seating, with influential people sitting toward the front and center where the view was best.
The upper level seats weren’t accessible simply with money or power; the side terraces held only a mere twenty positions, offering not only broad views but significant privileges during bidding.
"I heard The Gilded Pavilion invited that international Divine Doctor to host tonight? Crazy, using such healing hands to take a hammer?"
"Perhaps it’s just hype. I heard the Langdon Family asked the Divine Doctor several times, all to no avail. That’s one of the political family dynasties, the Langdons, yet the Divine Doctor is truly divine, bowing to neither fame nor fortune."
"Didn’t the Langdon Family release information saying anyone who associates with the Divine Doctor is opposing them? Thanks to them, the Divine Doctor’s studio finally scheduled me for tomorrow."
"Langdon Family? Just clowns. Remember how the second Langdon was so carefree, but he offended Mr. Hawthorne and ended up exiled?"
"Let me tell you a joke; someone there said the Divine Doctor is Cyrus Hawthorne’s ex-wife Ann Vaughn. Hahaha, absolutely absurd, how could these be the same person?"
"Shh, quiet down. I heard Mr. Hawthorne is already here, right upstairs. Don’t end up like Langdon No. 2!"
"It’s starting, starting, look up there!"
The previously noisy auction hall quieted down as all the lighting focused on the auction platform, driven by anticipation for tonight’s auction items and the enthusiasm for the rumored Divine Doctor host.
Since The Gilded Pavilion announced Aquarelle Vaughn as the host for the evening, nearly everyone present came with hopes of interacting with her.
No one dislikes longevity; making connections with a Divine Doctor is beneficial and harmless, as no one knows whether tomorrow or danger will come first.
In the foremost upper-level seat, a man’s long legs crossed elegantly, lightly swirling a glass of red wine between his fingers, his face obscured in dim light, unclear to see.
Only in the occasional reflections from the auction platform’s lights could one vaguely glimpse his exquisitely carved, deep facial lines, akin to the Creator’s proudest masterpiece, flawlessly handsome.
"President Hawthorne, here’s tonight’s auction catalog for your review." Mark Joyce approached, quietly handing a catalog with an exquisite cover to the man.
Previewing auction items is one of the privileges of upper-level guests.
"Okay." The man lazily replied, about to open the catalog when the corner of his eye noticed a familiar figure appear on the central auction platform, his gaze suddenly fixated. Follow current ɴᴏᴠᴇʟs on N(o)vᴇl(F)ire.nᴇt
The auction platform was brightly lit, and amid the crowd’s eager anticipation, a slender, graceful silhouette emerged from the red drapery.
She wore a pale golden peacock feather vintage cheongsam. As she gracefully pulled the curtain aside and stepped out, the feathers embroidered on her sleeves and hem seemed dynamic, vividly alive.
Her skin was like snow, her eyes bright and captivating, her red lips gently curved—a beauty of absolute elegance that captured everyone’s attention in an instant.
The sound of gasping came from somewhere unknown.
Almost everyone’s gaze was firmly glued to the beauty on stage, too afraid to look away, lest missing even a second hurt worse than losing millions.
"Hello everyone, I’m the host for tonight, my name is Aquarelle Vaughn." Ann Vaughn stood before the microphone with a gentle smile, not dwelling on an opening, instead diving directly into the content: "Next is the first auction item for tonight—The Chenghua Emperor’s Doucai Chicken Cup."
"This was the imperial wine cup during the Ming Dynasty under the Chenghua Emperor..."
As staff carried the opening item on stage, Ann Vaughn’s softly spoken explanations seemed to strike people’s hearts like jade.
Even under bright lights, the radiance emanating from her was like a diamond, dazzling and impossible to look away from.
Above, Cyrus Hawthorne’s deep and narrow gaze remained locked on the petite figure, a stunning impression slowly flowing from the depths of his eyes; his thin lips curled into a slight smile.
This version of Ann Vaughn seemed to shine as if the entire person emitted light, incomparable and undeniable.
Brilliantly eye-catching to the extreme.
After finishing her explanation, Ann Vaughn stepped aside for the auctioneer to announce the starting price and the range of each bid increment.
It was then the audience finally snapped to attention, diving into the bidding over the first item; with such a spectacular opening, the items following likely would be even more astonishing.
Listening to the vigorous bidding sounds below, Ann Vaughn’s smile deepened with the perfect arc—a testament to the wicked appeal of wealth.
Suddenly, she sensed an intense gaze locked onto her, as if pegged without deviation, leaving her feeling—
Like a beast in the jungle had targeted her, with an inescapable subconscious sense of danger.
Ann Vaughn’s bright eyes scanned around before settling on the right upper level, stopping at the first terrace seat directly opposite her.
Unexpectedly, she met his gaze—the man lounged with his arms casually draped over the sofa, narrow eyes lazily yet intensely focused on her, catching her completely unprepared.
Ann Vaughn’s smile suddenly froze, her bright eyes blinking several times to ensure she wasn’t mistaken.