There's No Love In the Deathzone (BL) novel Chapter 687

Chapter 687: Side Story 3. Stellar Blossom - 22

Inside a high-rise building in Luxier, the capital of the Western Republic, a man leaned back on his swivel chair, staring at the scenery behind the floor-to-ceiling glass wall.

He smiled in satisfaction while absorbing the view of the urban landscape. "What a good day," he sighed while sipping on his morning coffee, excellently brewed by a world-champion barista whose job now was solely to make his coffee.

A woman in a pantsuit standing beside his desk muttered in confusion. "It’s snowing, Sir."

"That’s why it’s good," he swiveled back and smiled cheerfully--which was a rare sight. It was rare that the smile contained real joy instead of mockery. "The colder it is the better."

Not many people might come due to the snow, but the media would definitely be there, waiting for any story. Whether he, Ramsay Hammer, proceded with the auction or not, it would still be worth to be turned into an article or two.

"Still upholding our schedule even in this bad weather," the man smirked, spreading his arms wide. "Wouldn’t I look gracious?"

Another man in a suit replied readily. "A lot of people had come from afar, so it would be a loss for them if the auction is canceled."

"Exactly!" he snapped his fingers, before glancing at the snow persistently falling since the morning. "Prepare my heat insulation coat."

"Yes, Sir."

When his assistants went to fetch the coat, Ramsay left his seat and stood in front of the glass wall, enjoying the winter scenery even more.

"You must be pissed, right? Radia Mallarc..." he smirked.

Laurel had never even met him. He made the representatives from Mortix wait for days saying he was busy, and then dropped the public auction announcement out of nowhere. He could imagine their expression--he could imagine Radia’s expression.

Those crimson eyes, ever so aloof and indifferent to everything that did not interest him...

"No matter what I do, you never pay attention to me," Ramsay’s smile deepened at the thought of an annoyed--probably even distressed look--on that face. "You have no choice but to, now."

* * *

Despite the snow, people had been gathering in Luxier Plaza since dawn--some had even camped inside the park surrounding the Plaza since the night before. They eagerly waited as the barricade protecting the Plaza was being lifted, and immediately made a line so they could be admitted in. Granted, they could still participate even if they weren’t inside the Plaza, but the chance to get noticed by the committee--or rather, by Ramsay Hammer--would be slim.

Beneath the umbrella and inside their winter coat, they clutched their own treasure; family heirlooms, their best artifacts, all the money they had saved their whole lives. Each had their motivation to get the flame artifact, but none was weak.

No one with a weak motivation would stand in the snow, freezing while waiting for a small possibility.

Of course, the stage where the auction would be held was under a canopy. To protect the artifact, they said. While the host of the auction explained the rule--which was registering their bids for the committee to peruse later--and introduced appraisals that Ramsey brought, the man himself was sitting comfortably, scanning the Plaza.

"Do you think he’ll really come, Sir?" the assistant lady asked curiously.

"I already denied his mother’s visit, so he would know he should come in person this time," Ramsay scoffed.

Yeah; that was why he did not even consider meeting Laurel Mallarc. He wanted to rile up Radia, making him think that he had no choice but to come in person. Unless he gave up on the item altogether, he would attend this auction.

But he knew Radia was in Luxier. He was already informed by someone working in the airport--a private jet with the Mortix logo just landed not long ago.

Yeah, he’ll be here--Ramsay smiled deeply, feeling excited just from the fact that Radia Mallarc was in Luxier. Whether the man would attend the auction or request a private meeting did not matter to him.

That being said...

"Why do you think he wants this artifact? It’s not compatible with his class," Ramsay stroked his chin while pondering. "Summoned creatures could not be enhanced with an artifact anyway."

"I’m not sure either, Sir," the male assistant replied. "Perhaps for a friend? I heard he has a good relationship with Eastern Sun."

"That flame witch?" Ramsay tilted his head. "But why would he send his mother to negotiate for someone else?"

"Perhaps Mallarc House wants to win her over and recruit her?" the assistant lady muttered. "Wasn’t Radia Mallarc purchasing an expensive healing relic four years ago?"

"Hmm...make sense. Is House Mallarc in decline or anything?"

"I’m not sure, Sir. It doesn’t seem so, but you never know with Old Houses. If there’s a friction between Old Houses, no one would know but them."

"That’s true..."

It was annoying to admit, but Ramsay did not come from the Great Houses family. The Hammer was considered a conglomerate, but also a new money. Anything less than five generations of wealth, even with more money, would be considered lacking in history.

Oh, whatever. The reason was not important to him, as long as he could play this man; make Radia dance on top of his palm.

"But when will this guy--"

He paused, smiling deeply until his canines were visible as he caught the sight of dark red hair, striking against the snow. With an all-black outfit, the crimson eyes staring at him were even more captivating.

A laugh came as he suppressed the shudder tingling his back from that intense crimson gaze. "There he is."

"Sir?"

Before the assistants could say or do anything, Ramsay stood up and walked toward the host, who had been randomly choosing people from the crowd to be appraised. With a cheerful smile, he snatched the microphone from the bewildered host.

"Today is so wonderful!" he spoke to the crowd in a cheerful tone that elicited a cheer, but his eyes only looked at one person standing at the back of the crowd. "To think that this humble auction even beckoned someone from the Eastern Federation!"

Well...Ramsay couldn’t care less if the people wanted to kick Radia out. But he supposed...it wouldn’t be much fun if it ended so quickly, would it? He curled his lips behind the microphone, staring back at the sharp crimson eyes. How about it? What are you going to do now, huh?