After passing through the security checkpoint, Michael, and the two ladies entered the reception hall.
The hall occupied most of the floor. Reception counters stood near the entrance, while attendants guided guests toward their assigned sections.
Because it was almost ti for the auction to begin, quite a number of guests had already arrived.
While this auction was sothing that only a few people could attend, if compared to the entire population of the nation, once that small number gathers together, it could be surmountable.
Quite a number of guests had not yet headed towards their seats. Instead, they were chatting with each other, so of them discussing about possible collaborations outside the auction.
So guests, who were already done with their personal matters, were already being guided by the attendants. So headed for the ordinary seating area, while others made their way toward the elevators leading to the VIP and VVIP levels.
A female attendant noticed them approaching and stepped forward. But even before she could reach them, soone else beat her to it.
It was a young man in his late twenties with dium-length black hair and brown eyes. He was tall and had a dium build. A thin mustache rested above his upper lip.
He wore a tailored charcoal suit over a black dress shirt, leaving the top button undone. A silver watch rested on his wrist, while a pair of polished leather shoes completed his outfit. There was nothing flashy about his appearance, but every piece of clothing looked expensive.
As he approached them, there was a bright smile on his face.
"Carol, you ca? I almost thought that you would not co. So, it was because you already had another thod of coming over, which is why you returned the card that I gave you before, right?" The young man completely ignored Michael and Kate, with his focus solely on Carol.
Carol threw a quick glance at Michael, before she hastily retreated from the young man who was just about to grab her hand.
"Young master Julius, we are not that familiar, please keep your distance. Additionally, I ca today, because I was invited over, not because I wanted to see you." Carol stated bluntly.
The smile on Julius’ face did not falter. But even then, within his eyes, the previous enthusiasm dimd slightly.
"Okay, I understand. Anyway, since you are here, what about you co with ? The card that I had previously given you, it was to allow you access. And since you are here, you can co with . That way, you can gain a better view of the stage." Julius said, his eyes shining with anticipation.
"Sorry, but I already have arrangents made. You can see, I’m not alone. And I did not enter the auction house due to my own abilities, instead, I was brought alone. So, it would be rude for to just leave. Additionally, I really am not interested in joining you." Carol hastily responded.
It was only when Carol said those words that finally, Julius shifted his attention to look at Michael and Kate. He had been completely ignoring them, and only when he began paying attention to them that he realized that he could not recognize them.
Even though he himself was not very popular within the capital, he was quite familiar with most of the younger generation of the top forces within the capital.
He always made sure to do his own research, so that he would not accidentally end up offending soone that he could not deal with.
Now, as he looked at Michael and Kate, the first thing that he noticed was the fact that they were quite young.
Another thing was the fact that he could not recognize them at all. This was sothing that left him dumbfounded.
He believed that he knew quite a lot of people. Additionally, with the research that he had done, basically, all the young masters and misses who could attend this auction, he knew them.
So, how co there were two of them that he did not recognize? Additionally, considering the fact that they could co here, three of them at a ti, even if it was just the ordinary access card, it proved sothing.
That was the fact that their background was definitely not small. Of course, how big it was, it was mainly based on which family or force they were comparing it to.
Despite thinking much about it, Julius realized that he could not even guess the identity of the two. In the end, he completely dismissed them, as other thoughts imdiately erged in his mind.
Looking at this young lady, she was such a beauty, that even he was surprised at himself, on how he did not notice her when he ca over.
But, it did not matter. Even though she was a beauty, he only had his eyes locked on Carol. Though, it would not be a bad idea to hand this girl to soone else, and earn their favor.
As he was thinking about this, Michael looked at the two ladies and said, "Let’s go, the auction will start in the next 6 minutes. We cannot continue delaying."
But just as they were about to move, Julius spoke. "Hey, it seems that you are the leader of this group. How about this, I will do you a favor. First of all, allow Carol to co with . Second, this young lady beside you, let her co with so that I can introduce her to soone.
As long as you agree, not only would all of you gain, but you would definitely avoid a situation where you might face a disadvantage later on."
The mont that he said those words, Michael and the two ladies looked at him as though they were looking at an idiot.
Just what kind of logic was this guy using? What gave him the confidence to say sothing like this?
And from his words, it was clear that he was planning on sucking up to soone. This was a clear implication that his background wasn’t that big.
"Ignore him. Let’s go, we don’t have all day." Michael did not bother to respond, as he spoke directly to the two ladies.
The two also had no any intention of squabbling with Julius. So, they nodded, before they prepared to leave.
Julius on the other hand was both embarrassed and infuriated. Even though he had been ignored on many occasions, looked down upon, and embarrassed in other situations, it was by those that he could not deal with.
But since when could just any person do this to him? Did they think that he did not have the capability of dealing with them?
Just as he was about to say sothing, Carol seed to notice, as she imdiately spoke, "Please, respect yourself. I already told you, I’m not interested. So, could you please stop pestering us?"
Julius, who was already about to burst in anger, suddenly cooled down. Even though the anger within his eyes had not disappeared, at least, he regained his control.
He looked at Carol, before he shifted his gaze and looked at Michael and Kate. Eventually, he just shook his head and said, "Okay, then don’t bla later on. I gave you a chance."
Imdiately after he said but, he departed, with an attendant leading him away.
It was also at this mont that the attendant was previously intending to approach them, finally ca over.
"Good evening, sir. May I see your access card?"
Michael handed over his VVIP card. The attendant respectfully received it, before she placed it against a scanner. A green light appeared a second later.
On the screen of the scanner, words appeared, ’VVIP’, which imdiately surprised her.
She stole a glance at Michael, then looked at the two ladies, as if she was trying to deliberate what kind of background they ca from.
Still, she could not recognize any of them, which left her a little puzzled. Having worked as an attendant here for several years now, she was quite familiar with the important guests that held the VVIP access card.
So, it ca to her as a surprise that there was a person who held the VVIP card, and she did not recognize him.
Despite the surprise that she had, she still quickly reacted.
"Verification complete. Welco, sir. Your private box is ready."
She returned the card and motioned toward a nearby elevator while saying, "Please follow ."
She led them through a restricted corridor located along the side of the auction hall.
As they walked, the hall gradually ca into view.
The auction hall was built around a central floor. Hundreds of seats occupied the middle section, arranged in rows facing the stage at the front.
The stage stood several feet above the audience area. A podium occupied the center, while a large display screen covered most of the wall behind it. Every item being auctioned would be displayed on that screen.
Along both sides of the hall, raised platforms overlooked the ordinary seating area. Built onto these platforms were rows of private boxes reserved for VIP and VVIP guests.
Each box faced the stage directly, giving its occupants a clear view of both the auctioneer and the audience below.
The VIP boxes occupied the lower levels of the platforms. Their front walls consisted mostly of glass, allowing occupants to see the stage while remaining separated from the crowd.
The VVIP boxes were located on the upper levels. They were larger, more private, and positioned farther apart from one another.
After a short walk, the attendant stopped before a door marked Box Seven. She scanned Michael’s access card one final ti. A soft click followed.
"This is your private box, sir. If you need anything, press the service button beside your seat."
Michael nodded before entering. The box contained several sofas arranged before a large viewing window. A dining table occupied one side of the room, while refreshnts had already been prepared nearby.
Through the window, the entire auction hall was visible. Below them, guests continued entering the ordinary seating area. So were finding their seats, while others chatted quietly with the people around them.
Across the hall, the boxes on the opposite platform were also beginning to fill.
From their position, Michael could see everything happening in the auction house. However, the special glass prevented anyone outside from seeing who occupied the box.
On the stage, several staff mbers perford final checks on the microphones and display systems.
About 2 minutes later, the hall lights dimd slightly. The display screen behind the stage lit up.
Conversations throughout the hall began to die down as people turned their attention forward.
The auction was about to begin.
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