Russell's words were like a stone leading to a thousand ripples, causing the crowd to be flabbergasted.

Everyone got into an uproar and began discussing among themselves.

The eight people whose names Russell had asked for and thought that Russell had been impressed by them just now each had a drastic change of expression, as they couldn't believe what they heard at all!

Soon, a staff member working for the Kingstons walked toward them and asked them to leave hostilely, "Gentlemen, you are no longer welcome at this auction tonight. Please leave immediately!"

After hearing this, the eight of them finally believed that Russell was really blacklisting them and that they were getting chased out immediately!

Tristan was furious and disgruntled. In a moment of pique, he stood out, pointed at Lucas, and bellowed, "Mr. Duncan, why? Shouldn't he be the one getting kicked out?"

But Russell's expression remained unchanged, and he merely glanced at the staff member behind him. "From now on, all the Parkers will be blacklisted and banned from all auctions that I participate in or am in charge of!"

"...!"

Tristan was so furious that he froze right on the spot. He wanted to say something but couldn't bring himself to. No, I can't say anything else. If I end up provoking Russell Duncan anymore, he might punish me more severely, and I'll be dead meat!

All the auctions Russell was in charge of basically included all the important large and medium-sized ones organized by the Kingstons. The point of such auctions was not to really buy something but rather about flaunting your assets and family background. They were also opportunities for building and maintaining close relations with other wealthy families.

For example, only top families would receive an invitation to enter an auction like the one held today. Obviously, their statuses were naturally much higher than those of second-rate families. They might even get to meet new people and form connections with other wealthy tycoons to lay the foundation for the development of the businesses of their respective families.

So after receiving the invitation, the Parkers had decided to send Tristan to represent them because they had groomed him well and believed that he could do a good job.

But he had now messed things up in a fit of anger. Not only did he end up on Russell's blacklist, but he even got his entire family implicated and banned from all future auctions held by the Kingstons. If the Parkers learned about this, they definitely wouldn't spare him!

The more Tristan thought about it, the more frightened he was. Deep down, his heart was full of fear and some regret. He could no longer be bothered about his pride and started pleading to Russell miserably, "Mr. Duncan, I know I was wrong to have said that in a moment of anger! Please give me another chance and rescind your orders! Otherwise, my family will definitely kill me!"

Russell looked at him coldly and remained silent.

Seeing this, many people around them sneered and mocked Tristan.

"Wasn't he very arrogant and mighty when he contradicted Mr. Duncan just now? Why is he so cowardly now?"

"Exactly! Actually, weren't they the ones who started this? That young man named Lucas Gray was just sitting there quietly, but those youngsters kicked up a fuss and tried to get him kicked out, leading things to come to this."

"Hah, their plan to bully others clearly backfired. They brought it upon themselves. They clearly deserve it! At first, they weren't aware of Mr. Lucas Gray's identity, but they should have stopped after questioning him a few times. Even after the Kingstons' staff checked the authenticity of the Black Diamond Card and proved that it belonged to Mr. Lucas Gray, they continued harping on the matter and even insulted him. They really deserve it!"

"Yeah, that's right! Besides, Mr. Duncan has always been a man of his word. Since he's already issued those orders, how can he possibly rescind them?"

...

Tristan and Elijah paled when they heard the mockery and remarks of the people around them. Their eyes were even full of despair.

Suddenly, Russell said, "Actually, you haven't offended me, but Mr. Gray. If you can obtain his forgiveness, I will let you off."

Everyone was surprised because they just said that Russell wouldn't change his mind, but his actions now proved otherwise.

Lucas raised his brows and looked at Russell in surprise, only to see the faint smile on his face. Lucas thought about it and soon understood Russell's intentions.

If Russell let the people who had insulted Lucas off the hook, it would be extremely disrespectful to Lucas.

If he insisted on kicking them out, he would be keeping his promise to Lucas and giving him a fair explanation that no one could nitpick.

But the blacklisted and expelled people would target Lucas and settle scores with him because they wouldn't dare to put the blame on Russell!

If not because of Lucas, they wouldn't have been kicked out. That was the logic most people would believe.

But Russell now gave Lucas the chance to deal with these people.

This way, if Lucas chose to let them off, they would naturally be grateful to him for his kindness. Not only would they not form a feud with him, but they might even have some dealings with him.

Of course, if Lucas was really furious and unwilling to spare them, Russell would also blacklist them as Lucas wished. But Lucas would have to bear the ensuing consequences.

Although Lucas didn't know why Russell was being so kind to him, he nevertheless nodded at him.

Logically speaking, Russell indeed gave him a reasonable solution and mediated the matter appropriately. But this request was unacceptable to Tristan and Elijah.

Begging Lucas for forgiveness was worse than having to die!

"Mr. Gray, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have babbled nonsense and slandered you just now. I hope you'll be kind and magnanimous. Please forgive me!"

"Yes, Mr. Gray. It's all my fault for spouting nonsense despite not knowing the truth. I express my deepest apologies! If you can forgive me, the Harolds will become your cordial partner in the future!"

"Me too! The Hanks are willing to form relations with you. I hope you will forgive us for offending you!"

...

All of a sudden, all six other people besides Elijah and Tristan hurried toward Lucas and apologized to him in a bid to seek his understanding.