My Substitute CEO Bride (Nash Calicraft) novel Chapter 2565

"That's right. You know what I'm talking about, don't you?" Nash asked.

Philemon chuckled in response. "Oh, I'm very familiar with it. These things have been passed down since ancient times. While they aren't exactly rare, they certainly aren't cheap either..."

"So?" Nash was ready to make an offer.

Philemon suddenly changed his tone. "Mr. Calcraft, I’m afraid I can’t help you this time."

"What do you mean?" Nash asked, frowning.

Philemon explained, "It's not that I don't want to help you; it's just that this token is truly different."

"Why do you say that?"

"Mr. Calcraft, I'm not trying to mislead you, but the token you're looking for is an unusual piece. Do you know the two types of things the Violet Hidden Pavilion never deals with?"

"No, I don't."

Philemon patiently elaborated, "The first is anything that shouldn't be collected—valuable items for historical research and things that are explicitly banned by Drakonia. I don't deal with those because it's my duty.

"The second type of objects I don’t deal with are things related to martial artists or cultivators, regardless of how valuable, powerful, or mystical the artifact may be. This is my principle.

"Artifacts, by their nature, belong only to the one who forged them. If someone else acquires an artifact that already has a rightful owner, it’s likely to bring misfortune. So, I absolutely refuse to handle such items."

Nash understood what Philemon meant.

"So, Mr. Troyer, what you're saying is that you do have it, and I can't get it from you, right?"

"That's right, Mr. Calcraft. Smart as always."

Philemon continued, "My family is not the only one behind this auction. Around this time every year, all the top names in the industry gather in Capiton to host this auction."

Nash was intrigued upon hearing that.

Philemon added, "As businessmen, we value integrity. But inevitably, some of our own may offend the heavens. So, this auction is our way of repenting for those sins and thanking the heavens for our fortunes. It has become an annual event.

"The items in the auction are donated by the top figures in the antique world from each region. Each family will contribute one item. Whatever price it fetches during the auction is final, and half of the proceeds are donated to help those in need."

Nash was surprised. "I didn’t expect you all to hold such an event."

"Well, we do," Philemon said with a wry smile. "I’m fully aware of my nature. I’m not a good person. For my own gain, I’ve committed acts that are against the heavens, sometimes even sacrificing others. Those are my sins. So, this auction is both penance and redemption."

Nash nodded, now understanding the situation better. "So, the token has already been confirmed as an auction item?"