Servers weaved through the crowd, diligently providing for everyone’s needs.

At first glance, this didn’t look like an auction, but more like some kind of cocktail party.

The feeling that something was off resurfaced in Paige Summers.

’She really didn’t understand why, when it was clearly the apocalypse and resources were extremely scarce, people still insisted on putting on such extravagant displays. If they wanted to relax, wouldn’t it be quicker to just go home and get a good night’s sleep?’

’If Graham Monroe did this to display his wealth and power, then what about these people? Things like those huge diamond rings... instead of wearing them, they’d be better off being used to make weapons to fight the Mutant Beasts outside the city!’

She didn’t understand them, and the way they looked at her was equally strange.

The young woman who had just entered was certainly attractive, but her unfamiliar face, plain hairstyle, and utterly ordinary combat uniform all indicated she was definitely not from one of the city’s prominent families. The strange thing, however, was that she was standing right beside Marcus Monroe, and the two seemed to have a good relationship?

Most of those who could participate in the auction came from well-known families in the Upper District, so they naturally recognized Marcus Monroe. Many had also heard the rumors that he kept his distance from women. It was certainly surprising to see him appear in public for the first time since his return with a woman by his side!

Marcus Monroe, however, paid no mind to the crowd’s gazes. After a simple greeting with a few men he was on friendly terms with, he led Paige Summers towards a staircase on the side, saying in a low voice as they walked, "The four great families of the Upper District have all sent their elite scions over. It seems there are some good items in this auction. Once it starts, you can take your time and pick something out."

Paige Summers blinked and murmured her assent.

Absorbed in calculating whether she had enough Crystal Cores, she missed the deep disgust in Marcus Monroe’s eyes as he glanced at the lavishly dressed men and women.

’Among the four great families, there were indeed many elite scions. The far-sighted ones constantly honed their skills, even recruiting promising Superpower Users from the other two districts. But there were also many, like these peacocks strutting around... plenty of them are Superpower Users, yet they spend their days not thinking about how to Promote, but focusing on things within the city. They either seek pleasure and live in a drunken stupor, or they pull strings and indulge in internal strife.’

’Utterly foolish!’

Lost in their own thoughts, neither spoke for a moment.

Upon reaching the second floor, Paige Summers slowly realized that the auction also had VIPs. This second floor was different from the main hall below; it was entirely composed of small, private rooms, clearly prepared for the most distinguished guests of the auction.

The attendant leading them smiled. "Young Master Monroe, Miss, your room is ready. Please, follow me."

Paige Summers grinned and followed beside Marcus Monroe. ’A private room is great! Privacy!’

But her good mood was soon shattered into smithereens. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

When the attendant opened the door to the central private room, she was stunned to find a man and a woman already sitting inside, chatting. Those two voices, even without seeing their owners’ faces, made her heart sink with a familiar sense of dread.

’The plot gods really have it out for me!’

’This whole "what a small world" routine is so cliché it hurts!’

Marcus Monroe’s eyes narrowed, clearly surprised and displeased by this arrangement. He turned to the attendant and said, "I recall requesting a private room."

The attendant’s expression soured as he was about to explain. But Shawn Monroe and Nora Lowell had already turned around at the sound of the voice, their eyes quickly sweeping over the pair at the door.

Nora Lowell wore a smile, seemingly oblivious to the awkward situation. Shawn Monroe, however, curled his lips into a strange smirk. "What, Big Brother, you don’t want to be in the same room as me? I went to all this trouble to find you, too. Or is it... Paige Summers, that you’re unhappy with my arrangements? You know, we brothers always used to share a room..."

Paige Summers rolled her eyes internally. ’What a performance. The deep brotherly love, with me cast as the vixen tearing you two apart. You’ve got a real flair for the dramatic! Who doesn’t know Marcus Monroe was gone for years and just got back? Do you think I’m blind? As if I can’t see the truth that you two are completely estranged?’

She looked at Marcus Monroe, wondering what he would do...

Just then, Marcus Monroe’s eyes glinted, and he suddenly smiled.

Paige Summers immediately shivered.

To the attendant, the smile meant acceptance. To Shawn Monroe and Nora Lowell, it signaled weakness. But Paige Summers, for some reason, understood its true meaning.

’He was definitely, *definitely* scheming against someone!’

But she quickly snapped out of it. ’Why am I shivering? He’s definitely not scheming against me, it has nothing to do with—’ Wait. Paige Summers was stunned to find her hand grasped by a larger one and being led into the private room. At the same time, Marcus Monroe’s familiar voice sounded by her ear, "I’m surprised you still remember the old days. Sharing a room is fine. I just figured that since you came with Miss Lowell, you’d naturally want some time alone—just like Paige and I."

’What "Paige"? What "time alone"? Is he kidding?!’ Paige Summers felt her hackles rise as he sat her down in a chair.

’Marcus Monroe, you scoundrel!’

’Even if you want to piss off Shawn Monroe, did you really have to drag me into your scheming?!’

’There’s nothing going on between us! You’re ruining my reputation!’

Paige Summers barely managed to swallow her anger and stop herself from making a scene in front of the other two. When she looked up, she met Marcus Monroe’s meaningful gaze. It seemed to say, ’This isn’t so bad, is it?’

’Not so bad...?’

Her shoulders sagged as she considered it.

’It seemed... he was right.’

She noticed that after witnessing their supposed ’loving gaze,’ Shawn Monroe’s expression had turned cold. He had already turned away to whisper to Nora Lowell.

’Marcus Monroe’s method was terrible, but if it made Shawn Monroe give up his bizarre harassment, then maybe it wasn’t such a bad option after all.’