As the man walked in, the crowd parted, making it clear that he was someone important. Jasper and Miranda had just arrived at the auction house.


    A screen disyed all the items up for auction that day. The crowd here was distinctly different from the mixed bag of people they met just now- here, it was mostly affluent businesspeople and those with an air of wealth and status.


    "Take a look, these are today''s auction items," Jasper exined to Miranda before motioning for a staff member. He exchanged a few words with the staff, who immediately became all smiles and nods, treating Jasper with visible respect.


    Miranda nced through the auction items. The descriptions were brief, but the images were in high definition, capturing every detail. Some of the pieces she had seen hints of on the ck market, but such items rarely made it there; only whispers about them did.


    She had done some research and knew the world was just beginning to understand the power of certain rare stones, though they hadn''t fully grasped their potential yet. Both official channels and private collectors were interested in these naturally urring treasures, making auctions like this a hotbed for treasure hunters.


    Miranda''s eyes lingered on a photograph of a particrly striking gemstone. She squinted slightly, studying it intently.


    "Come on, let''s head to the better seats. The auction''s about to start," Jasper called out, snapping her back to reality.


    They made their way to a more exclusive section of the stands, a spot with only a handful of guests, reserved for VIPs. The other sections were packed, but here, there were merely a few.


    Jasper grinned and whispered, "We''ve got the best seats in the house. The owner of this ce has some ties with our family, so even though I don''t frequent auctions, they still treat me as a special guest." "The owner of this auction house?" Miranda inquired.


    Jasper nodded. "Yep. Never met


    them myself, just know there''s some


    connection, presumably on


    business. But the rest, I don''t know, I don''t handle the family business."


    He had an older brother who was in charge of their business.


    Jasper was the quintessential


    yboy, enjoying a life of leisure.et


    he had not much information such an aspect.


    Miranda understood that people like Jasper, born into privilege, had no need to strive for more. But despite their carefree demeanor, those. people seemingly muddling along, were often moreplicated than they seemed.


    It was lucid whenpared to the ancient pce intrigue.


    Suddenly, Jasper''s expression changed, as if he''d seen a ghost. He muttered under his breath, "Oh crap." Miranda frowned. "What happened?"


    Jasper looked away, his voice uneasy. "Nothing, just saw someone I know."


    What was he doing here? If he caught him bringing Miranda to a ce like this, he''d be done for!