CHapter 223


    Noe had initially thought Lome was stirring up the nephrite market just to make a quick buck. But


    to her surprise, his sights were set on Pris Star.


    She didn’t buy for a second that Lome was bending over backward to get in touch with her just to


    snag a discount from Pris Star. If he imed to know the previous boss of Pris Star, then he


    had no need for such roundabout ways to get a discount.


    His attempts to contact her through such a pretext indicated only one possibility- either Lorne was


    not being truthful, or he wasn’t as chummy with this so–called previous boss as he imed!


    Noe nced at the calendar on her phone.


    Next week was her check–in date at Imperial University.


    Pris Star had tracked down another part of the USB drive left by Harriet, which could possibly be


    in Garrick’s possession.


    Noe had a hunch that whatever her grandmother wanted to tell her was stored on that USB


    drive!


    On the auction stage, a new disy pedestal appeared behind the auctioneer.


    *Our next item up for bids is a zither crafted by the Master Rainer himself. As everyone knows,


    Master Rainer doesn’t typically craft this type of zither. This is the one and only piece! A unique


    treasure in the world, starting at one million.”


    On the stagey a simple, unassuming zither. Every aspect of its construction was exquisite, with


    the thirteen markers adorned with lustrous nephrite.


    The appearance of this zither instantly drew the gaze of nearly everyone present.


    To showcase the items better, the auction house was bathed in bright lights, with all information


    disyed on electronic screens in the private booths.


    Noe was astonished at the sight of the zither! She could tell immediately that it was indeed a work


    of Master Rainer!


    It even retained many of the craft techniques Master Rainer was known for, the strings were well–


    maintained, though slightly worn. It was evident that the zither’s owner rarely yed it.


    The room erupted into excitement, and the once–quiet private booths buzzed with noise.


    The bids on the electronic screens in the booths were rolling in.


    “Two million.”


    “Two and a half million.”


    “Three million.”


    Master Rainer’s zithers were priceless, with the few that had surfaced on the market reaching sky–


    high figures. Moreover, it was a rare urrence for Master Rainer to craft this particr type of


    zither!


    Palmer arched an eyebrow at the visibly excited Noe. “Interested?”


    Noe pondered for a moment. “Since it’s my mentor’s creation, we should bring it back, no matter


    what.”


    Just as she prepared to raise her bid on the electronic screen, a message suddenly popped up.


    [One million is the price, and I am Rainer.]


    With that message, the previously animated guests fell silent!


    Those who had been raising the bids quickly withdrew their offers!


    When Master Rainer himself had set a price, they weren’t fools to jack it up. Even though the zither


    was precious, it couldn’tpare to Master Rainer being there in person!


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Watching the retracting bids on the electronic screen, leaving only Rainer’s own million, Noe


    chuckled softly.


    Palmer seemed to remember something. “You sure follow in Master Rainer’s footsteps, bold as


    brass.”


    Previously at the auction, Noe had openly dered her identity to get the information she


    wanted.


    Was this a hallmark of Pris Star?


    Noe shrugged indifferently. “After all, those items have their own inherent value, and the folks at


    Pris Star aren’t suckers.”


    It wasn’t that they couldn’t afford it through normal means; it’s just that not paying extra was more


    cost–effective!


    With the rightful owner present, the zither auction concluded swiftly, selling for one million.


    Noe’s phone pinged with a new message.


    10:32


    [Noe,e backstage with me after to pick up some things.]


    [Sure thing.]


    In such a setting, Master Rainer knew Noe had to be there!


    Noe turned her attention back to the stage.


    “Our next announcement rtes to nephrite – this is a public notice. A family has discovered a


    significant nephrite vein in the mountains. Bids for this information start at ten thousand,”


    The announcement was somewhat vague. It mentioned the discovery of nephrite but not the


    specific location, leading interested parties to assume that the paid information would include the


    site’s whereabouts.


    As expected, quite a few were intrigued by the notice.


    Palmer turned to Noe. “Not interested?”


    “Nope.”


    It wasn’t ack of interest; she suspected that the announcement was likely a ruse by Pris Star.


    After the auction, Noe indeed receive a transaction alert from the auction house.


    However, she was listed as the seller.


    Noe wasn’t surprised.


    “Did Pris Star release this information?”


    “Yes, and I checked who bought the information – it’s a jade merchant from Imperial City, someone


    who specifically deals in nephrite.”


    The catch was that this person was one of Lorne’s.


    The auction stage refreshed.


    “Our next item, a paid request. A gentleman has entrusted us to find a way into Lockhart Prison. If


    anyone has a method, please state your price.”


    The auction house was a marketce for buying and selling, and it wasn’t umon for people to


    use it to seek information.


    Noe tapped on her electronic screen.


    Thirty million.


    Master Rainer in another booth saw the information on the screen and couldn’t help butugh.


    He nced at the person sitting next to him. “My little apprentice sure knows how to y hardball.”


    “Heh, she’s the product of all you old–timers‘ fine teaching, after all.”


    Master Rainer pretended not to catch the sarcasm in his words, continuing to chuckle. “If Harriet


    hadn’t contacted me back then, wanting Noe to learn a thing or two from us, I wouldn’t have even


    known you lot were still kicking around.”


    “Knowing it or not doesn’t change the fact, Harriet’s gone.” The person sitting next to Rainer


    crossed their arms defensively, a guarded look in their eyes as they faced theirpanion.


    “Coming to me won’t do you any good either. Garrick’s off his rocker, and there’s no reasoning with


    him!”


    Garrick had insisted onunching the Pris Star Project against everyone’s advice, all for the sake


    of nurturing a new generation of prodigies. His ns were brutal, and there were countless who


    opposed him, including the person now seated before Master Rainer.


    “I’m not asking you to talk sense into him. The fact that he’s auctioning off the zither I gave him back


    in the day is a clear message that old–fashioned appeals are worthless, right?”


    Well, they weren’t nning on ying nice either.


    A snort of coldughter came from beside him. “I’d be curious to see what the kid would think,


    knowing she got shipped off to Pris Star because of a deal you old timers struck with Harriet.


    What would she say? A perfectly happy kid, put through hell–all by your making. Do you think she


    will end up hating you?”


    Master Rainer shook his head with a sigh, yet a tender smile crept across his face. “Noe wouldn’t.


    She’s the best kid in the whole wide


    world!”