Only after reaching Whitecliffe Harbor, undergoing further processing, and passing a new round of evaluations would they officially enter the bidding roster.
But to claim that one of them was vastly more valuable than tonight's finale?
That was impossible.
Aria Wynn's research serum held incalculable value. Excluding Specimen Seven, it was unequivocally the absolute crown jewel of Project Zero-Transit's current
voyage.
How could there possibly be an asset that eclipsed the serum?
Who on earth was spreading this absolute garbage?
The suite devolved into sheer panic.
Executives scrambled to contact the security division.
Others frantically tried to trace the source of the leak.
Some barked orders to the vault personnel, demanding maximum lockdown procedures.
Listening to their frantic shouting, a faint, dark glimmer flashed through Nicholas's eyes.
A special cargo in the vault more precious than Aria Wynn's serum?
And... he was supposedly highly interested in it?
This rumor was a blatant manipulation of his identity to force the organizers' hands.
Nicholas's lips curled into a faint smirk. He didn't even have to guess—this was one hundred percent Serena's doing.
It seemed she was finally ready to pull the net tight.
Since Serena had already set the stage so perfectly, the least he could do was play his part.
He raised a brow, a low, wicked chuckle escaping his throat.
"Something more valuable than Aria Wynn's serum?"
The man's lazy, magnetic voice instantly shattered the panic in the room.
He didn't speak loudly, but every nerve in the executives' bodies snapped taut.
Director Kaelen and the others whipped around to face him.
Nicholas slowly sat up a fraction straighter. His posture remained relaxed, but the crushing aura he exuded suddenly stole the oxygen from the room.
A chilling smile touched his deep, mesmerizing eyes. "Wasn't tonight's auction allegedly held in my honor?"
"Then I'd really love to know..."
He narrowed his eyes, his smile turning dangerously cold. "Why do you have something so precious hidden in your vault?"
"And why was I kept completely in the dark?"
Director Kaelen's expression stiffened, his pale face turning completely bloodless. "The... The Sterling Sovereign.it's just a rumor! Absolutely nothing but a baseless rumor!"
"You've already seen our most valuable assets during the private previews."
"The remaining items in the vault are merely semi-finished products unfit for bidding."
"As it stands..."
Director Kaelen wiped a fresh layer of sweat from his forehead. "Chief
Engineer Wynn's serum is
definitively the highest-value item
aboard Project Zero-Transit tonight."
"We would never hide anything superior from you! Someone is deliberately
spreading lies to incite chaos!"
Nicholas cast a nonchalant glance his way. "Is that so?"
Director Kaelen nodded frantically. "Of course! We would never dare deceive you."
Tilting his head slightly, Nicholas
acted as if he were listening to the most boring joke in the world. He let out a low laugh, though the amusement neverreached his So, everyone else on this ship knows you have a phenomenal asset stashed away, but somehow, the organizers are completely clueless?"