2025-01-20 14:21:57The number echoed across the hall, silencing the faint murmurs.
immediately gasps rippled through the crowd, their admiration palpable.
“Such generosity,” someone whispered, their tone full of awe.
“No wonder he’s part of the Blake family,” another chimed in.
Meanwhile, Caleb basked in the praise, already imagining the ring being placed in his hands.
The room had gone silent.
No one dared to outbid him, knowing it was just a waste of time.
But just as the auctioneer prepared to call out the final sale, a calm, steady voice interrupted.
“Fifty million.”
Immediately the room froze. All heads turned in unison toward Raymond, their expressions ranging from shock to disbelief.
“Did… did he just…?” someone stammered, their voice trailing off.
“Is he serious?” another whispered, eyes wide with astonishment.
Upon hearing what Raymond just said, Caleb leaned back in his chair, his smirk growing wider.
His eyes darted between Raymond and Malisa, convinced that whatever boldness Raymond showed was because of her backing.
‘There’s no way he’s doing this on his own,’ Caleb thought smugly. ‘He probably doesn’t even know the rules.’
Mr. Drake’s auction was well-known for its strict policy: the bidder and the payer had to be the same person. No one could swoop in and cover the cost.
It was a rule that safeguarded the auction’s exclusivity and ensured only those with real wealth could participate.
Without being told Caleb was certain Raymond hadn’t bothered to understand these details. He’s walking right into his own humiliation, and he can't wait to see how everyone is going to mock him for being so useless, and stupid.
However seeing the flicker of determination in Raymond’s eyes as he gazed at the ring, Caleb smirked scornfully, decided to teach him a lesson.
He sneered, raised his paddle again.
“50.1 million dollars”
Seeing Caleb bidding again the crowd hummed in approval, their attention now fully locked on the battle for the ring.
They all thought Raymond would give up now, that his recent show was just for formality.
However Raymond didn’t hesitate. With the same calm expression, he lifted his paddle and increased the bid again, drawing more gasps from the crowd.
“60 million dollars.”
Caleb’s smirk deepened. The fish bit the bait.
He raised his paddle again.
“60.1 million dollars.”
Meanwhile, the murmurs among the crowd started growing louder.
They couldn't believe someone so useless as Raymond would be the one challenging Caleb of all people.
“He has no idea what he’s doing,” someone whispered.
“Does he even know the payer has to be the bidder? He’s making a fool of himself.”
“Look at him—so calm. He’s bluffing for sure.”
The noise of judgment filled the room, but Raymond remained detached, his focus solely on the auctioneer.
At that moment Malisa, sitting beside him, glanced around at the skeptical faces. Her smile was faint but steady, her posture relaxed.
She didn’t need to say anything to reassure Raymond, she knew how much he's worth.
Without wasting any more time Raymond raised his paddle again.
“70 million dollars.”
Immediately the room fell silent again for a moment, the crowd stunned.
“He’s still bidding?” one person whispered, their disbelief clear.
“What’s he thinking? He doesn’t have that kind of money.”
“He’s going to regret this,” another scoffed.
Seeing Raymond's attitude Dahlia couldn’t hold back any longer.
The tension in the room was palpable, and Raymond’s unwavering confidence of something he can't afford unnerved her.
She leaned forward, her voice low but sharp enough for him to hear. “Raymond, stop this. Don’t be reckless. You don’t know what you’re doing.”
However Raymond didn't respond immediately, his calm eyes fixed on the auctioneer as the current bid hovered in the air. Her frustration grew.
“Do you even understand where you are?” she hissed.
“That black card you’re holding—it’s fake. It won’t work here. You’re going to make a fool of yourself, and the consequences won’t just be embarrassment. Do you know what happens to people who cause trouble at Mr. Drake's auctions?”
At that moment Raymond finally turned his head slightly, his expression unbothered.
“I don’t need you to worry about me,” he said evenly, his voice steady and composed.
Immediately Dahlia’s breath hitched at his calmness. She couldn't understand why Raymond looked so certain.
At that moment Caleb’s smirk widened as he observed the exchange. He leaned back in his chair, his arrogance practically radiating from him.
“See that?” he muttered to the guest next to him, gesturing toward Dahlia and Raymond. “Even his ex-wife knows he’s out of his depth. This will be fun.”
Raising his paddle, Caleb increased his bid by another modest amount, his tone dripping with mockery.
“70.1 million dollars.”
“Come on, Raymond, show me your power. Astonish me. I know you can do it!” he said loud enough for the crowd to hear, earning a few chuckles.
At that moment, sitting beside Raymond, Malisa folded her arms, her lips curving into a faint smirk. ‘Let him dig his own hole.’
she thought, her eyes glinting with amusement. She had seen enough to know where this was headed.
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder as all eyes shifted to Raymond, expecting him to fold under the pressure.
“Is he going to back down now?” someone whispered.
“He’s been bluffing the whole time. Watch him try to weasel his way out.”
Raymond’s lips curved into a sneer. He was tired of this game.
Without a moment’s hesitation, he raised his paddle again.
“200 million dollars.”
“Did he really just bid that much?” one man murmured, wide-eyed.
“That idiot must be bragging! What a fool...”
At that moment Caleb cheek raised, almost covering his eyes, knowing he had gotten Raymond where he wanted him.
Without wasting any more time he stood up barely containing his glee.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he began, his voice filled with exaggerated politeness. “I think we can all agree that 200 million is no small amount. To avoid any unnecessary confusion or delays, why don’t we verify if Mr. Raymond actually has the means to back up his bid?”
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Raymond glanced at Caleb, sneered.“You can verify all you want, I'm not stopping you.”Upon hearing what Raymond just said, some of the guests gaze at him disgustingly.“Look at him, acting all high and mighty,” sneered a voice from the crowd.“Who does he think he's fooling?" another chimed in. “We all remember how he lived off Dahlia's money before he got a divorce.”Immediately more whispers rippled through the gathering.“A man who couldn't even keep his own house running, now claims to have such wealth?”“Pathetic,” someone spat.“He'll embarrass himself, just wait and see,” another voice called out.However Through it all, Raymond stood still, his face a mask of serenity. Their words, sharp as they were, couldn't pierce the quiet certainty he carried within.However Dahlia watched from the sidelines, shaking her head at her ex-husband's display. Deep down, she knew Raymond didn't have that kind of money - it was just another one of his elaborate acts that would end in embarra
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Upon hearing what Mr.Drake just said.Caleb stood frozen, his face drained of all color. His mind raced as Mr.Drake’s words echoed in his head. Kicked out of the association? Without being told he knew the importance, the implications were catastrophic. The business connections, the influence, the deals—it was all tied to the association. Losing that membership would cripple his family’s business.“President Drake,” Caleb stammered, stepping forward with desperation in his eyes. “Please, this must be a misunderstanding. I was only trying to maintain order. I didn’t mean to—”Immediately Mr.Drake’s icy glare cut him off. “Enough,” he said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “Your actions tonight have embarrassed this institution.” His gaze flicked toward Raymond, making the tension in the room even heavier.At that moment Caleb swallowed hard, his knees threatening to buckle. “I’ll make it right,” he pleaded. “Please, President Drake, reconsider—”But Drake didn't even flinch. Wi
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Raymond leaned back slightly, his brows furrowing as he studied the man standing before him.Drake’s demeanor was unexpected—calm, composed, and, surprisingly, respectful. For someone with his reputation, Raymond had anticipated arrogance or at least a hint of superiority.Then Raymond opened his mouth to speak, but before he could form the words, Drake raised a hand, his expression unchanging but firm. “Master. Raymond,” he began, his voice low and steady, “this isn’t the place for the conversation we need to have. I’d prefer we continue this in private.”Hearing what Drake just said, Raymond’s eyes narrowed slightly, suspicion flickering across his face. “Private? What’s this about?”Drake’s lips curved into a faint, polite smile. “All will be explained, I assure you. But for now, let’s move to a more appropriate setting.”Raymond hesitated before nodding curtly. “Lead the way.”He had a strong feeling that whatever Drake was about to say had something to do with his past.Drake n
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Raymond frowned, his skepticism clear. “A key? To what? It’s just a ring.”Immediately Drake shook his head, a faint smile touching his lips as if he had expected this response. “It contains energy, Master Raymond. A power your family has safeguarded for generations. But it’s dormant—waiting for the right moment and the right person to awaken it.”Hearing what Drake just said, Raymond’s confusion deepened, his gaze shifting between the ring and Drake. “And you think I’m the right person?”“I know you are,” Drake replied firmly. “But to access it, we need something only you can provide—your blood.”Raymond stiffened, leaning back slightly. “My blood? What are you planning to do with it?”“Only what’s necessary,” Drake said calmly. “The ring was crafted to respond to your lineage. A single drop of your blood will awaken it. Trust me—this isn’t something to fear. It’s something to embrace.”However Raymond hesitated, the weight of Drake’s words pressing down on him. He glanced at the
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As quickly as the thought came, it vanished, replaced by an unshakable certainty.“I can do this,” he thought, his jaw tightening with resolve. “This technique was meant for someone with exceptional talent. And I’m one of the rare few who can control it.”A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and in that instant, his entire aura changed. It was as if something deep inside him had awakened—a force so powerful that the air around him seemed to grow heavier. A chilling pressure radiated from him, enough to make an ordinary person instinctively step back.Yet, beneath this newfound power, he could still feel it—that invisible shackle in his mind, something holding him back, suppressing what he had lost. His memories were locked away behind this barrier, and until he broke through, he would never truly know who he was.But he had a lead now. The information he got from the ring had revealed a path: to undo the seal, he needed ten ancient herbs, ones so precious they were almost impossible t
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Not long after Malisa and Raymond arrived at the hospital.The air in the VIP ward was heavy with the scent of antiseptic, the hushed whispers of doctors and nurses filling the space as Raymond and Malisa stepped inside.Malisa’s grandfather lay motionless on the hospital bed. A group of specialists stood nearby, their faces etched with frustration and uncertainty.“We’ve done everything we can,” one of the doctors muttered, shaking his head. “We still can’t determine the root cause.”At that moment Malisa’s brows furrowed in concern before she turned to Raymond. “Let him take a look,” she said firmly. Upon hearing what Malisa just said.A murmur rippled through the room as skeptical glances were exchanged. Then, a sharp voice cut through the tension.At that moment her cousin Kelly looked Raymond up and down, immediately his jaw tightened. “Malisa, you want this thing to have a look at grandfather?”he said with a bitter mockery before facing Raymond "Are you a doctor?”Raymond
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At that moment Malisa stepped forward, her tone firm. “Dr. Nathaniel, he’s the only one who has made any progress. Grandfather’s condition was deteriorating before he started.”Dr. Nathaniel scoffed. “That Nonsense. Traditional medicine like this is unreliable. This so-called treatment is reckless at best. I won’t allow my patient to be subjected to unproven methods.”However Raymond’s expression remained calm, but his voice carried a warning. “Removing those needles now will put him in immediate danger. His body is still adjusting.”Dr. Nathaniel ignored him and turned to Malisa’s father. “Do you trust an amateur, or do you trust the years of expertise I bring? If we let this continue, we may never stabilize him again.”At that moment Malisa's father hesitated, uncertainty flickering across his face. The rest of the family, still skeptical of Raymond, murmured in agreement.“Pull them out,” Malisa’s father finally ordered.Malisa’s eyes widened. “No! Don’t—”Before she could sto
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His eyes settled on her, warmth returning to them. “Malisa... I feel—” He paused, flexing his fingers before touching his chest. “I feel... strong again.”“Father?” Malisa's father stepped forward, voice shaking. His hands trembled as he touched his father's wrist, feeling the strong, steady pulse.Immediately Malisa‘s grandfather sat up straight. No wheezing. No tremors. He looked at his hands in wonder.Kelly, who minutes ago had called Raymond a fraud, stood frozen. The blood drained from his face as he watched his uncle move with ease. His mouth opened, but no words came.“How...is this even possible.” Dr Nathaniel. stumbled back. Twenty years of medical experience hadn't prepared him for this. He checked the monitors again, rubbing his eyes. “These readings... they're better than before he got sick.”At that moment Malisa's father looked at Raymond, really looked at him for the first time. Gone was the arrogant businessman who'd dismissed him. Now he just stood there, strugg
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Chapter 25
Even Malisa felt a sense of warmth at the sight of Vincent’s gratitude and Raymond's kind heart . She had seen the Mayor command entire rooms with a single word, making powerful figures bend to his will. Yet, here he was not letting that overshadow him, of not showing respect toward Raymond.Then her gaze lingered on Raymond, a newfound admiration growing within her. He wasn’t just rich, nor was he only brilliant in medicine—he had a good heart.The fact that he agreed without hesitation, without demanding anything in return, only made him more intriguing.At that moment A soft smile tugged at her lips as she looked at him. He’s different from the rest.For the first time, Malisa didn’t just see Raymond as an enigma—she saw him as a man worth getting for herself.As the evening went on, Vincent continued expressing his gratitude, occasionally raising his glass in appreciation. The conversation shifted between business, politics, and casual topics, but Raymond wasn’t particularly inter
Chapter 24
Deborah, seated beside her, adjusted her glasses and turned to look. “Mayor Vincent? What’s he doing here?”As they stepped out of the vehicle, they immediately picked up on the hushed conversations from the small crowd near the entrance.“I still can’t believe it,” someone muttered. “The Mayor actually bowed to him!”“I’ve never seen him treat anyone with that level of respect before,” another said, his voice filled with disbelief.“Who is that man?” a woman asked, her curiosity evident.Hearing the whisper Dahlia slowed her pace, her interest piqued. She exchanged a glance with Deborah before casually adjusting the strap of her purse. “Did you hear that?” she asked, her tone calm but watchful.Deborah nodded, lowering her voice. “They’re saying Vincent personally greeted someone. Not just greeted—bowed respectfully.”Dahlia’s eyes widened slightly. Vincent Crane was not a man who bowed to anyone. He was one of the most influential figures in the city’s political sphere, known f
Chapter 23
The morning light streamed through the grand windows of Celestial Manor, casting a soft glow over the polished floors. Raymond sat on the plush leather couch, sipping a cup of black coffee. His mind was sharp, his body energized from the cultivation he had practiced all night.Just then, his phone vibrated on the coffee table. He glanced at the screen—Malisa.He picked up.“Hello, Malisa.”At that moment Raymond’s phone buzzed again, and when he glanced at the screen, Malisa's name flashed across it.He answered, his tone indifferent. “Hello Malisa, What is it?”On the other end, Malisa let out a soft chuckle. “That’s not how you greet someone who’s inviting you to dinner.”Raymond raised an eyebrow slightly. “You’re inviting me to dinner?”“Mhm.” Her voice was casual, but there was something playful beneath the surface. “Don’t look so surprised. I didn’t get the chance to properly thank you for saving my grandfather yesterday.”Raymond leaned back, resting one arm on the couch. “
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Raymond stepped into the car without a word, his presence commanding without effort. Sophia shut the door and quickly took her place behind the wheel, merging smoothly onto the road.As they drove, Sophia’s tone was measured. “Sir, I’ve arranged for you to stay at Celestial Manor.”Hearing the word, Raymond arched his brow slightly. Celestial Manor.He had heard of it.Not just anyone could live there. Money alone wasn’t enough— power is needed, status, and influence. Even some of the city’s wealthiest figures had been denied when they tried to purchase some property in the Estate.At that moment the car smoothly glided through the elite district, past extravagant mansions that paled in comparison to what lay ahead. As they neared Celestial Manor, whispers began to rise among the residents.“Who owns that car?” one man murmured, stepping off his porch to get a better look.“I’ve never seen that vehicle before,” his wife whispered, eyes wide with curiosity.“Wait—are they heading to
Chapter 21
Later that evening, Dahlia sat in her office, the dim glow of the city skyline reflecting off the floor-to-ceiling windows. The office was quiet except for the rhythmic tapping of her pen against the polished wooden desk.She was lost in thought, reviewing financial projections that didn’t look promising when her phone buzzed beside her. She glanced at the screen.Caleb.She hesitated. The last time she had seen Caleb, he had been humiliated; his family was kicked out of the city's largest business association by Mr.Drake. It had been a public affair.Her finger hovered over the screen before she finally swiped to answer.“Caleb.”“Dahlia,” his voice came smooth and confident, as if the recent disaster had never occurred. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”At that moment Dahlia leaned back in her chair, tapping the pen against her fingers. How is he still acting so composed?“That depends,” she said coolly. “Is everything alright? Why are you calling?”Caleb let ou
CHAPTER 20
Immediately the leader stammered, his words tumbling out in a rush. “I-it was Caleb! He wanted revenge for what you did to him! so he paid us to teach you a bitter lesson.” Upon hearing It was Caleb, Raymond's eyes narrowed, a cold fury burning within them. He tightened his grip on the thug's collar, his voice dropping to a menacing whisper. “Listen carefully. You're going to deliver a message to Caleb for me. If he ever dares to come after me again, it won't be just your legs that get broken. Next time, he'll be the one in pieces. Understood?” Immediately he nodded his head. “Yes...understand” Then Raymond let go of him and walked away.At the same time, Caleb paced back and forth in the meeting point, his heart pounding with anticipation. He eagerly awaited the news of Raymond's demise, a triumphant grin playing on his lips. However, his excitement was short-lived as the door burst open, revealing his battered and bruised thugs, limping and groaning in pain. At tha
Chapter 19
The old man’s face lit up. “Ah, Mr. Raymond, you’re in luck. I am the president of the city’s medical association. In a few days, we’re hosting a grand medical conference. It’s the biggest event of the year—experts from all over the world will be there, presenting groundbreaking research, showcasing rare herbs, and even electing the new state presidents for the medical associations. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”Raymond’s eyes widened, a flicker of excitement breaking through his usual calm demeanor. “Rare herbs? From all over the world?”“Exactly,” the old man said with a smile. “And as a token of my gratitude, I’d like to give you this.” He pulled out a sleek, black VIP card embossed with gold lettering. “This is one of only ten in the entire country. It grants you access to every exhibit, every presentation, and every exclusive event at the conference. If the herbs you’re looking for exist, you’ll find them there.”Raymond took the card, his fingers brushing over the intr
Chapter 18
Kelly pulled Raymond aside, his face flushed with embarrassment. He glanced around nervously, making sure no one else was within earshot, before leaning in closer. “Dr. Raymond, I need your help,” he whispered, his voice shaky. “It’s...uh...a problem. You know, down there.” He awkwardly gestured toward his lower body.Raymond raised an eyebrow, his expression calm but with a hint of amusement. He crossed his arms and leaned casually against the wall. “Let me guess. You can’t get it up, huh? The same problem you laughed at me for when I offered to help others?”Kelly’s shoulders slumped, and he looked like a kicked puppy. “Please, Dr. Raymond. I’m desperate. It’s ruining my life. I’ll do anything.”Raymond studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp but composed. Finally, he sighed. “Alright, I’ll help you. But if you keep overindulging with women after this, don’t come crying to me. Got it?”Kelly nodded so hard it looked like his head might fall off. “Thank you, Dr. Raymond! I swear I’l
Chapter 17
His eyes settled on her, warmth returning to them. “Malisa... I feel—” He paused, flexing his fingers before touching his chest. “I feel... strong again.”“Father?” Malisa's father stepped forward, voice shaking. His hands trembled as he touched his father's wrist, feeling the strong, steady pulse.Immediately Malisa‘s grandfather sat up straight. No wheezing. No tremors. He looked at his hands in wonder.Kelly, who minutes ago had called Raymond a fraud, stood frozen. The blood drained from his face as he watched his uncle move with ease. His mouth opened, but no words came.“How...is this even possible.” Dr Nathaniel. stumbled back. Twenty years of medical experience hadn't prepared him for this. He checked the monitors again, rubbing his eyes. “These readings... they're better than before he got sick.”At that moment Malisa's father looked at Raymond, really looked at him for the first time. Gone was the arrogant businessman who'd dismissed him. Now he just stood there, strugg
