In their golden seats, the guests quickly straightened at the tap of the gavel, fixing their eyes on the object beneath the lights at center stage.
With the appearance of the golden seats and golden stage, the guests' lingering unease and dissatisfaction had given way entirely to curiosity.
Well acquainted with auction rules, they were eager to learn what lay beneath the red silk.
After all, to get any auction off to a strong start, its first item would inevitably be one of the finest lots on offer.
It might even rank second only to the final centerpiece.
Under the guests' expectant gazes, Kerry lifted the red silk.
"Oh! My God!"
"What is that?"
"Look at that!"
A chorus of gasps immediately gave way to exclamations from every direction.
A dragon-shaped golden crown studded with gems shone brilliantly beneath the lights.
Gold and gems alone would hardly have astonished these wealthy guests. What truly amazed them was the crown itself.
"Is that the Crown of Ailiterjia?"
"It looks like it, but..."
"Impossible!"
"How could it be the Crown of Ailiterjia!"
Murmurs rose through the room.
Onstage, Kerry immediately tapped the wooden gavel in his hand.
Tap, tap.
The distinctive sound of the gavel immediately silenced the entire hall. Standing beneath the lights, Kerry surveyed the doubtful, disbelieving faces around him, all carrying a faint trace of anticipation, and could not help smiling.
Their expressions stirred a strange excitement deep within him.
It was different from throwing his weight around on the streets.
This excitement was stronger, more profound.
It was like wave after wave of trembling XX, battering his nerves like a raging storm.
Kerry's face rapidly flushed, and the last shred of unease in his heart vanished completely.
He became calm and composed.
No!
More precisely, he became