chapter 22 The geniuses of the Chu and Huang families

Soon, a group of people arrived at the auction venue. The auction was held in a high-end club, and those who came today were all wealthy and influential people from Zensea. A dignified cheongsam-clad beauty led Clarence and Rachel into the venue. Inside, quite a few people had already gathered. Clarence and Rachel took their seats in the front row. At that moment, Clarence noticed a young man in a black suit sitting not far to his right, giving him a hostile look. The man's gaze was mocking, and his mouth was curved in a smirk, but no matter how you looked at it, there was a hint of bloodthirstiness in his smile. "That's Conrad," Rachel whispered. Conrad only lingered on Clarence for a few seconds before turning his gaze to Rachel. "Miss Rachel, the last time we met was at your wedding with Chad. Sadly, the Van family has fallen on hard times. I wonder, what does it feel like to be a widow?" Upon hearing this, Rachel's face turned ice cold, "Conrad, this is an auction. Mind your language!" "So what?" Conrad always acted recklessly, without any regard. "This one beside you, he's the adopted son of the Van family, isn't he? Not bad, making quite the stir upon returning to Zensea." Although Conrad said this, it was clear from his tone that he was very dismissive. The Nyse Group was taken back, and Bacchus died unexpectedly. To outsiders, these events seemed somewhat inexplicable. But Conrad was not surprised at all. To him, Clarence was just a rogue soldier. Bacchus, that incompetent fool, couldn't even handle a rogue soldier, which was a disgrace to the four major families of Zensea. Clarence gave Conrad a cold glance. "I heard you were there on the day of the wedding," Clarence's eyes emitted a cold light. Conrad seemed to be struck by lightning, shivering all over. The look in Clarence's eyes was terrifying. It was as if he had crawled out of a pile of dead bodies, filled with coldness and murderous intent. However, looking at the burly bodyguards around him, Conrad scoffed mockingly. "So what, kid? I'm not a useless piece like Bacchus. You better not test my patience." "Otherwise, in Zensea, I'll make sure you don't see tomorrow's sun!" Conrad was formidable, disguised as a businessman, but his methods were even more ruthless than those of the underworld. This was a blatant threat. Thinking this, Conrad suddenly smiled and said, "Or, I can show you a way out. Take your sister-in-law, roll out of Zensea obediently, have a few more fat kids, wouldn't that be wonderful?" "You..." Rachel's face flushed with anger. Conrad actually said such things, which was extremely despicable. Clarence's eyes narrowed slightly, and he calmly said, "Go, slap him." "Yes!" Maxine approached Conrad with a cold expression. Conrad's eyes lit up as he saw a beauty with a cold appearance walking towards him. In terms of looks, she was not inferior to Rachel, especially with her valiant and heroic demeanor, which was refreshing. Such a beauty was rare indeed. "Beauty, what do you in..." Slap! However, before Conrad could finish his sentence, Maxine fiercely slapped him across the face. Conrad staggered, nearly falling off his chair, and a bright red handprint appeared on his right cheek. For a moment, Conrad was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe that someone dared to hit him in Zensea! Furiously pointing at Clarence, he yelled, "You bastard, you let this woman hit me? This is an auction!" "So what?" Clarence returned the phrase to Conrad, exactly as it had been given. And he even added a sentence for him. "If you wish to continue seeking death, I don't mind fulfilling your wish immediately. However, letting you die like this would be too lenient." The situation was tense, neither side giving in an inch. Conrad had not expected Clarence to be so audacious. Just as he was about to have his bodyguards take action, a woman, followed by a group of people, also entered the venue. The moment she entered, she attracted most of the attention. She was wearing a floor-length gown, her chest fair, and her every move exuded an indescribable aristocratic temperament. Her pretty face, as if favored by the heavens, was charming and alluring. Her charming eyes, like gentle autumn waves, were so mesmerizing that even some men dared not meet her gaze. "Conrad, you're still so crude, not even considering the occasion." Lillian smiled slightly and took a seat not far from Conrad. "Lillian, don't stand there talking without back pain. Humph, our opponent has already appeared." Conrad sneered, glancing in Clarence's direction. Opponent? What a joke. Was it based on a young man who knelt under his pomegranate skirt eight years ago? Lillian's lips curved into a smile as she also looked towards Clarence. Clarence's gaze met hers head-on. One second, two seconds, three seconds... Lillian slightly frowned. Usually, she could see through most men who held her gaze for three seconds, understanding them seven or eight out of ten. But facing Clarence, she couldn't see through him at all. "Old classmate, it's been several years, and you've changed a lot," Lillian still appeared supremely noble, as if she were above others. Clarence was undisturbed, the past matters no longer concerned him, merely youthful folly. Moreover, the woman's family had participated in the conspiracy against the Van family. Just on this point alone, the two were already on opposing sides. "Indeed, it's been years. We should catch up some time and ask you some questions," Clarence responded indifferently. For some reason, Lillian felt that Clarence at this moment was completely different from the Clarence of the past. But what exactly had changed, she couldn't quite grasp at the moment. Soon, the auction began. The host on stage started introducing the first plot of land, located in the east of the city, with a starting price of 85 million. When the host announced the bidding, the scene momentarily went cold. 85 million! Only a few families capable of participating in this auction could afford such a price. However, Lillian, Conrad, and a few other qualified bidders all kept their cool. None of them rushed to bid. Rachel was not too nervous, because, in her view, Clarence would not bid for the first plot no matter what. 85 million was only the starting price. And how much money could Clarence possibly have? 15 million? Or 30 million? Clarence smiled lightly and said, "Since the Norman and Michael families are too scared to bid, then the Nyse Group will take up the responsibility." "However, once I make a bid, you'll have no chance." As the host started the countdown, Clarence casually raised his bidding sign. "168 million."