The night.
A downpour of rain cascaded, washing over the street-side buildings, shrouding the entire city of Ragunna beneath dark clouds.
Carlotta sat quietly in the car, looking up. The lights diffused through the rain, diluted into a hazy, dim glow by the water, their damp reflections flickering uncertainly outside the window.
Since the Montelli family severed ties with the Fasciaspina family, the latter had never ceased trying to mend the broken alliance.
But the Montelli never forgive betrayal, one act of disloyalty means a hundred times of disuse.
Giacomo would, of course, become desperate.
And this was precisely the scenario Carlotta was happy to see.
Only then could her family, under the watchful eyes of the Order and the Fisalia family, find a legitimate reason to exact revenge.
Or perhaps...
Describing it as 'settling a debt' would be more accurate.
"Second Young Miss, are you sure about tonight's operation... with just the two of us?"
Ray slowly parked the car in front of the auction venue, glancing sideways at Carlotta beside him.
Carlotta's face showed little emotional fluctuation; she merely gave a slight nod. "The fewer people, the better. If we alert him, all our efforts could be wasted. I want to give Giacomo the illusion that this operation is sure to succeed."
"But on the way here, I kept feeling..."
Before Ray could finish, his gaze was already fixed outside the window. Rain continuously washed the streets. Although vehicles were parked all around, filled with lavishly dressed guests, he still felt a vague unease.
"Something isn't right."
"If everything seemed normal, I'd actually find it boring. Giacomo is very likely to launch an attack at the auction. Leave the assailants to me when the time comes. As for you..." Carlotta gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, turning to him with a slight smile. "You just need to protect that painting and ensure a safe withdrawal."
'Withdraw by smuggling a big red item in my pants? I'm good at that.'
"What about you, Second Young Miss? Don't you need my help?"
Although Ray was aware of her capabilities, he couldn't help but ask.
What if she got hurt?
Carlotta tilted her head, her fingertip lightly stroking her fair chin, her tone relaxed. "Oh? Worried about me? Don't worry, I've seen bigger scenes than this. These small fry can't handle me."
Seeing her so composed, Ray didn't press further. He looked out the window again, lowering his voice. "But there seem to be people from the Order among the attendees. Is that really okay?"
"It's fine. I don't care who bids. Ultimately, the winning bidder will be me." Carlotta shook her head lightly, casually picking up a mask and putting it on, then handed him an identical pure black one. "Let's go. The auction is starting."
...
...
This was Ray's first time attending an auction.
Art itself is pure, but the trade of art never is.
Every transaction involving value is a promise and a wager on the future.
Time flowed on. On the stage, artworks took their turns under soft lighting, then quietly gave way to the next.
People below whispered and conversed, calmly analyzing the market potential of each piece as if they were merely another weight on the scale of profit.
Carlotta sat quietly among them, indifferent to the surrounding discussions.
The corners of her mouth still held that faint, nonchalant smile. She lightly closed her eyes, quietly awaiting the arrival of her quarry.
Ray stood beside her, continuously scanning their surroundings, trying to spot the hidden assailants among the bidders.
But he found nothing.
Perhaps the timing wasn't right yet.
When would the timing be right?
Perhaps it was this very moment.
"The next item: 'The Supper'. Starting bid: 50,000 Monets."
When the auctioneer called out the name, Carlotta, who had been keeping her eyes closed and biding her time, gently opened them, her gaze smilingly fixed on the painting on the stage.
Before she could even raise her paddle, other bidders had already started calling out prices.
"Bidder number four, 55,000 Monets."
"Bidder number six, 60,000 Monets."
Carlotta was in no hurry to reveal herself. She was happy to first give others the illusion of hope, then personally crush it.
She enjoyed this feeling of silently controlling the entire situation.
At the very last moment before the auctioneer's gavel was about to fall, she calmly raised her bidding paddle.
"Bidder number three, 100,000 Monets!"
The previously confident bidder, seeing this, couldn't help but glare fiercely at Carlotta, almost without hesitation choosing to follow.
"Bidder number six, 110,000 Monets!"
Of course, this time Carlotta again didn't rush to counter. Just before the gavel was about to fall, she raised her paddle once more.
"Bidder number three, 150,000 Monets!"
The auctioneer's voice trembled slightly with excitement, this was an exceptionally high price rarely seen at recent auctions.
Hearing this sudden bid, the number six bidder, though he tried to disguise himself, traces of the Order's distinct mannerisms were still evident in his bearing, once again sharply turned his head, glaring viciously at Carlotta, then raised his paddle again.
"Bidder number six, 160,000 Monets."
This time, Carlotta intended to offer no more false hope.
"Bidder number three, 200,000 Monets!"
The auctioneer's voice trembled even more noticeably; she could hardly believe her own eyes.
Even the other guests present couldn't help but hold their breath. They all turned their gazes toward her. Only after clearly seeing who she was did they finally understand.
Carlotta Montelli, Ragunna's renowned art investor, the Second Young Miss of the Montelli family.
Whether in wealth or power, she was at the pinnacle in Ragunna. Any artwork she set her sights on was never missed.
The Order's bidder's face darkened instantly upon hearing the offer. He gritted his teeth, his gaze like daggers fixed on Carlotta.
Clearly, his funds could not stretch any further.
"200,000 Monets, going twice."
The entire hall fell silent. No one raised their paddle again.
"200,000 Monets, going three times! Sold!"
The auction gavel fell with a decisive sound.
Carlotta rose gracefully and stepped slowly onto the stage, her fingertips lightly brushing the painting's frame. On the surface, 'The Supper' appeared as tranquil and harmonious as its name suggested, showing no apparent connection to the centuries-hidden secret of Rinascita.
BANG—!
A gunshot abruptly shattered the auction's tranquility.
However, the bullet did not hit Carlotta. Instead, it veered off course and embedded itself into an empty section of the wall.
Carlotta slowly turned around. She first glanced in the direction of the shot, then looked at Ray, tilting her head with a slight smile. "Thanks."
Ray gave a slight nod, responding in a perfectly natural manner.
From the moment Carlotta first raised her paddle, Ray had already detected the presence of a sniper in the corner.
Just before the other party pulled the trigger, he grabbed a nearby chair and hurled it, precisely disrupting the sniper's aim.
And that gunshot was merely the beginning.
In an instant, countless masked assailants poured out from every corner of the auction hall, their killing intent palpable.
"My, my, it seems someone couldn't hold back any longer." Carlotta looked at the assailants with interest, using crystal-like gemstone material to generate both gun and bullets. She then lightly tossed the painting in her hand to Ray. "Alright, as per the plan, take this painting and get out of here."
"But, Second Young Miss—" Ray was still somewhat hesitant.
"Don't worry about me. Don't forget, I'm an executor of the Montelli family. I've seen many scenes like this. And besides, I don't really like men who are too indecisive."
The young lady spoke in a tone that was not overly sweet, yet gentle.
"Oh, right. I haven't had dinner today. Remember to bring me a pizza."
Finally, she tilted her head slightly. The smile on her face never faded.
Ray looked at her, his lips parting slightly, ultimately only able to let out a soft, helpless chuckle. "Understood, Second Young Miss."
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