The Killer Queen

Noella 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 Polaris 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 Polaris Star. If he claimed to know the previous boss of Polaris 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 claimed!

Noella glanced at the calendar on her phone.

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

Polaris Star had tracked down another part of the USB drive left by Harriet, which could possibly be in Garrick’s possession.

Noella had a hunch that whatever her grandmother wanted to tell her was stored on that USB drive!

On the auction stage, a new display 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 stage lay 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 displayed on electronic screens in the private booths.

Noella 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 played 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.” Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“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 occurrence for Master Rainer to craft this particular type of zither!

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

Noella 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’t compare to Master Rainer being there in person!

Watching the retracting bids on the electronic screen, leaving only Rainer’s own million, Noella chuckled softly.

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

Previously at the auction, Noella had openly declared her identity to get the information she wanted.

Was this a hallmark of Polaris Star?

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

Noella’s phone pinged with a new message.

10:32

[Noella, come backstage with me after to pick up some things.]

[Sure thing.]

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

Noella turned her attention back to the stage.

“Our next announcement relates 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 Noella. “Not interested?”

“Nope.”

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

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

However, she was listed as the seller.

Noella wasn’t surprised.

“Did Polaris 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 marketplace for buying and selling, and it wasn’t uncommon for people to use it to seek information.

Noella tapped on her electronic screen.

Thirty million.

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

He glanced at the person sitting next to him. “My little apprentice sure knows how to play 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 Noella 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 their companion. “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 on launching the Polaris Star Project against everyone’s advice, all for the sake of nurturing a new generation of prodigies. His plans 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 planning on playing nice either.

A snort of cold laughter came from beside him. “I’d be curious to see what the kid would think, knowing she got shipped off to Polaris 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. “Noella wouldn’t. She’s the best kid in the whole wide

world!”