No one could make a sound even after the recording was over. People were watching with their mouths agape, but the most drastic change happened to Nicholas Holmes. His face changed color from purple to red. He wanted to refute but didn’t know how.

“Pfft!” A gasp sounded in the silent room and everyone turned to look who could dare to laugh. It was from the front seat, and the one laughing was a handsome man with blue eyes.

“Hahaha. I never thought I would laugh so hard on such an important evening.” Merlin was laughing with tears in his eyes. His mood affected everyone, and people one after another started to chuckle. Those who didn’t dare giggled silently.

People watching the event from their homes were also laughing. Some living in slums and living poorly even felt thankful for Marooner’s words. He didn’t change anything nor had he helped them, but he at least pointed out their hypocrisy to everyone. Also, from Marooner’s words, some could understand he was also like them and grew up only by relying on himself.

“He is obviously somewhere here since he pointed at me by finger! Show yourself if you dare!” Nicholas Holmes was raging! In the recording, Marooner said it was one of the three families and emphasized Holmes's family. There was no way he could have predicted something like that. So, Nicholas thought Marooner should be hiding backstage, and the recording was just a live stream.

“Mr. Holmes must have his mind clouded with anger. Have you not seen the date on the bottom right of the screen? The record was a week old.” Merlin pointed at the now stopped screen and the date on the right bottom corner was really showing when the video was recorded. Since there was an authentication code at the top left, it must be a recording and not a live stream. Miles really had predicted Nicholas’s action. He was suspecting one of the three families, and even if he couldn’t he wouldn’t be afraid of any families, since his identity was hidden.

Of course, it wasn’t just luck. It was his deduction on families and the reminder of Ryu Shin that helped him filter three families. In the end, he was correct, and he was able to send his message successfully.

“Cut the crap, if you wanna buy just buy it. As long as you don’t donate half of your assets, then don’t pretend like you are hot shit.” The message might be tenderized, but the meaning was clear.

“And, Mr. Holmes, what is your answer to Mr. Marooner?” Ryu Shin nailed the coffin without any mercy. He didn’t like that rich and pretentious man in the first place. That is why he reminded Marooner that the Holmes family might create some trouble. And to his surprise, Marooner humiliated Nicholas. He was delighted.

Nicholas Holmes had an ugly look as he looked at Ryu Shin with murderous eyes. He snorted and ignored Ryu. As if he could donate half of their assets. What would the family do, how could they feed themselves then?

“Since Mr. Holmes is half-hearted, we are continuing with the auction. Mr. Marooner’s starting bid is 500 Million UD, and every increment should be at least 10 million.

Is there anyone willing to give 510 million, it is one of a kind orb. I got 510 million from the Lemaze family, as always they are the richest. Is there anyone else who wants to increase the price and take this unique orb home?” Ryu Shin was an expert auctioneer, in no time at all the price rose to 650 million.

“Seven hundred million,” Evelyn shouted when the price reached 650 million. She wanted the orb, and she also wanted everybody else to know that she wanted it. She would get it no matter what to study on that orb to crack its secrets.

“She is Evelyn alright, cannot contain herself.” Many people in the audience and their homes sighed. Evelyn was known for her unbreakable will and fierceness. When she was young, all her ideas were put on the shelf, and she was ignored. Only after Mother AI descended and noticed her capabilities, she started to shine. After that, she didn’t let anyone stand in her way to new breakthroughs.

Bids started to rise slowly after 900 hundred million. It was already thousands of times more expensive than any other low-tier orb, but it was getting stupidly expensive for even pinnacle-tier orbs. Even Frenzy-Rank low-tier orbs weren’t this expensive.

“Cross Family bid a billion UD.

Going once.

Going twice!

Sold!” Ryu Shin hit the gavel and the auction concluded at last. From start to end criminal party representatives haven’t bid. They knew Marooner wouldn’t accept their coins, but they were still hoping to buy it with some other means. But they couldn’t cash in a billion UD.

Orb brought Evelyn Cross in a tray by Mae, and she thanked her with a smile. She held the orb and said, “Abel, can you charge it please.” With a spark, liquid melted and formed a dagger. The dagger was purplish-green just like on the screen, and she could see it was a dual elemental orb.

“This is the first step.” Evelyn held it with an excited look. “Ms. Cross, can you follow me backstage alone please,” Mae said, and looked at her.

Malcolm and Mercer frowned, but then relaxed. The Shin family were their friends, so there shouldn’t be any problem. Evelyn nodded and followed them back. Ryu Shin was waiting there in front of a door.

When Evelyn reached, he said, “Marooner left us two items. One was the orb, and the second was a piece of paper. His request was, if you were to buy the orb, you could take a look at the paper, but if anyone else were to buy it we were to destroy the paper. I gave him my word. The paper is inside the room, but is for your eyes only.” Ryu Shin gestured to her to enter but reached out an empty tray.

Evelyn looked at the tray and removed her wristwatch, “Sorry, Abel. Be right back.” She said lightly.

“It is fine. Take your time.” Answered her watch.

Evelyn entered the room and found a sealed envelope. Outside of it written, For Evelyn Cross’s eyes only. The envelope was sealed. Of course, there were many things that could pass through the paper to read what was written inside, but this envelope was different. Evelyn could feel that its texture was different as well.

She opened the envelope, and an eye looked at her. In a split second, the eye lit up with green light and the device showed a countdown. Countdown was only 5 seconds long, so Evelyn didn’t delay and looked at the message written. It was one word, “Resonance!”

After five seconds, a small fire enveloped the envelope and turned it into ash. Evelyn of course could stop it if she wanted to, but she just watched fire dying in her hands.