The corners of his lips quirked up imperceptibly.
Serena maintained eye contact for only a brief second before looking away,
continuing toward the top-tier suites without breaking her stride.
It was as though she had merely glanced at a stranger by accident.
But that fleeting exchange was more than enough.
Serena kept walking toward the VIP area.
As she passed one of the top-floor suites, she noticed the door wasn't fully closed.
Through the crack, she could easily spot the man sitting on the sofa.
He wore a perfectly tailored dark suit, exuding an air of refined elegance and gentle composure.
Even seated in this black-market auction-a place overflowing with greed, slaughter, and blood-he maintained a noble poise that felt entirely out of place.
He was absentmindedly thumbing the bidding button on the console.
It looked as though he were nothing more than a well-behaved buyer participating in the auction.
And just as Serena walked past the door.
The man inside happened to look up.
Their eyes met briefly in the air.
For just a fraction of a second, before they both looked away simultaneously.
Neither of their expressions betrayed any unnecessary emotion.
Serena didn't pause her steps, simply continuing her steady pace forward.
And the man inside the suite... was the world's top arms dealer, Joker.
Julian's expression remained neutral. He continued to lean lazily against the sofa, watching the auction stage ahead.
He made it seem as if The Panacea had merely walked past his door by chance on her way back to The Sterling Sovereign's suite.
But only the two of them knew the truth.
That single glance was enough to convey everything.
The path for Asset 14 had been perfectly paved.
The Panacea hadn't blown her cover.
Now, they just needed to hold their respective positions.
And wait for the show to begin.
Julian brushed his thumb lightly over the bidding button.
A faint, icy glint flashed across his usually gentle eyes.
In the next second, it vanished without a trace.
Serena's heels clicked all the way to the end of the corridor, stopping in front of the premium suite that symbolized the ultimate buyer's authority.
The crew members guarding the door immediately opened it with deep respect. "Ms. Panacea."
Serena didn't bother to reply.
The crew swung the door wide.
Serena stepped inside.
Inside the suite, Nicholas sat casually on the sofa, his posture relaxed.
The collar of his black shirt was slightly unbuttoned, his wrists pale and defined, and his long legs crossed effortlessly.
His cold, untouchable features looked even more striking and intense in the dim lighting of the room.
Several crew members stood respectfully by his side.
Director Silas Kaelen held a stack of documents, explaining something to Nicholas in a hushed tone.
Serena only needed one glance to
know that those were the originate
testing files regarding the finale piece the research belonging Aria Wynn, her grandmother.
A flicker of emotion crossed her eyes.
The moment the door opened, everyone in the suite immediately turned to look.
Nicholas lifted his previously indifferent gaze, locking his eyes unblinkingly onto Serena.
He scanned her pale, somber face, down to her bare arms.
Finally, his gaze traced down to her legs as she walked toward him in her stilettos.
He was making sure she hadn't been hurt.
Only then did the layer of icy hostility buried deep in his eyes gradually dissipate. On the surface, however, he gave nothing away.
Leaning lazily against the couch, he raised an eyebrow and spoke in
You draw "Ms. Panacea,
you finally decided to come back?"