"Number 3, 18 million! Any further bids?" the CM announced.
"Alright! Number 9, 26 million! 26 million going once..."
"Number 36, 37 million! Is there a higher bid?"
With each round of bidding, the price skyrocketed from the starting price of 10 million to 92 million.
Sweat beaded on Sophie Sullivan’s forehead. Damn it! How could she escape?
"The gentleman who just raised his hand, how much are you adding?"
The man in black, who was clearly there to cause trouble, said, "Priceless."
The word ’priceless’ drew the attention of everyone in the room.
The CM, embarrassed, immediately tried to smooth things over with a chuckle, saying, "If tonight’s finale is priceless in your heart, then how much are you willing to bid?"
Sophie, dangling in mid-air, saw the man in black and understood.
Thomas Shannon had arrived.
In less than a second, a group of men in black surged in from outside, their aggressive demeanor forcing the crowd to disperse.
The scene grew chaotic. The CM shouted for security, "Security? Where are the security guards? Someone’s causing trouble! Quickly, get someone here!"
Charlie River leaped onto the stage and sent the CM sprawling with a flying kick.
Stepping on the CM’s back, Charlie River warned coldly, "Tell Hans Pang this is Young Master Shannon’s woman."
Hearing the name ’Shannon,’ the CM trembled all over, begging for mercy, "Yes, yes, yes, I’ll tell the boss."
Charlie River kicked him away. "Still not getting out of here?!"
"Yes, yes, yes, I’ll leave right away, right away."
The CM scrambled to his feet in terror and fled for his life.
Once the venue was cleared, the spacious showcase held only the men in black and...
Thomas Shannon, who entered with elegant strides.
The man’s cold eyes narrowed, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing at the corners of his lips.
"Young Master, if you please."
Thomas Shannon seated himself in a chair with graceful, aristocratic ease, crossed his long legs, and leisurely lit a cigarette.
Dangling in mid-air, Sophie waited patiently for him to speak. An entire cigarette’s length of time passed, and still, he showed no intention of speaking.
He just looked at her with that enigmatic smile. Enraged, Sophie exclaimed, "Thomas Shannon, let me down!"
Thomas Shannon, a cigarette dangling from his lips, gave a haughty, cold smirk. "Every injustice has its perpetrator, every debt its debtor. Whoever hung you up there can be the one to let you down."
"They’ve all been driven away by you! Who am I supposed to ask to let me down?"
"That’s your problem, not mine."
What a heartless thing to say! Sophie thought. If it weren’t for this height, a fall would leave me severely injured, if not crippled! I can’t just sit here and wait for doom!
"What exactly will it take for you to let me down?"
Thomas Shannon chuckled softly, his long fingers flicking ash from his cigarette. "Maniac, do you even know what kind of place this is?"
Sophie remained silent. It’s definitely not a good place, she knew.
"You’d rather be sold to those fat-headed, greedy pigs than stay obediently by my side? Are you blind?"
"I was tricked!" Sophie retorted. So don’t say such nasty things. I never intended to sell myself!
"Your IQ is rather concerning. I don’t think you’re a maniac, just a little fool."
After being suspended for well over half an hour, Sophie felt all her strength drain away. "Thomas Shannon," she managed weakly, "let me down. I’ll agree to one of your requests."
"Do you realize your mistake now?"
Thomas Shannon stood up and brushed nonexistent dust from his black shirt. "Charlie, we’re leaving."
The man turned as if to leave, and it was clear he wasn’t bluffing. Sophie panicked. "I know I was wrong!" she cried out.
His footsteps didn’t pause in the slightest. Sophie, swallowing her pride, continued to plead, "Thomas Shannon, I know I was wrong! Please, don’t go!"
The man in the lead simply waved his hand, and Sophie was quickly lowered by the men in black.