...

Until now, Virus had been completely quiet as if he was just a simple bystander watching an interesting scene while casually keeping track of the conversation between his companions.

However, looking at the person who had just strolled behind the tribune, he had to cut them off and say, "It's beginning, let's see what they have to offer."

...

"Hello everyone. This is Wang Fang, your auctioneer for today's event. Please let me begin by announcing that there's going to be invaluable merchandise and treasures, both known and unknown, in today's great auction. Another vital part of our transaction today is that everything will be traded in dollars, meaning, we only accept USD. I can say with certainty that…" Like that, the female auctioneer who was a native female began boasting and explaining the rules and other necessary topics.

A while passed and at last, the first item was pushed in front of the auctioneer who started introducing it, "For our first opening item, it's a very special painting! Now behold…" then, after signaling the assistant to reveal the painting by grabbing the cover which was concealing it, she started mouthing in an excited tone, "Pablo Picasso's Les femmes d'Alger! Version O of this series to be more exact!!! Our starting price for this amazing piece of art is $140 million! Now you can promptly begin bidding since I believe there's no need to explain anything further regarding it."

Facing the painting of the woman with her nude breasts, many people became mesmerized and lost at the depth of this particular painting which talked for itself.

"$150 million!" Finally, the first bid was heard as it was immediately followed by the second, "$155 million!"

"$185 million!"

"$185 million!!! Now $186 million, is there anyone for $186 million?"

 …

The bidding war continued until someone won the painting at the price of $297.2 million.

Witnessing this final price, Virus wondered silently, 'According to the historical data I have in my head… originally, this painting was sold for $179.4 million in 2015… and the location of the auction was the New York branch of Christie's auction house… but now, the date's earlier. The location is Shanghai instead of New York, though it's still Auctioned by Christie's to the same person. But the most notable thing is that the price has increased to $297.2 million… hmm, my presence here's beginning to slowly affect and change right about everything indeed.'

It's been a while since Virus had noticed that his presence in the world was like that of a rock which was thrown into the middle of a tranquil pond, sending waves of ripples which grew bigger and bigger by itself as more time passed. Waves that went further and further away from the original epicenter.

The result of this contamination by the so-called Virus who had invaded a system called Earth was the fact that Earth was now plunged into an unknown path altogether, a path filled with unforeseen events and untold mysteries such as the rifts!

"The second item isn't as shocking as the opening item, nonetheless, it's something I'm sure every woman here today covets… I present to you, Marie Antoinette's Pearl Pendant!!!" Immediately, in front of everyone, a pearl was exhibited.

Seeing this beautiful pearl which was staring at everyone like a sole sad drop of tear standing alone on top of the world in all its grandeur, grieving to be bought, the eyes of various women started to shine like never before while looking back and forth between their boyfriend/husband and the pearl.

"The dream pearl of every woman! The starting bid will be just a measly $2 million!" Announced the auctioneer.

As if greatly impatient, a woman's voice was heard immediately, "$10 million!"

"$20 million!" Another woman.

"$21 million!" Another.

"$23 million!" A husband determined to have his wife for tonight also declared.

…

Soon, a familiar and feminine voice was also heard from a certain seat, attracting some people's attention, "$30 million!" The voice belonged to Amara.

"Oh, you're interested in this pearl too?" Virus inquired.

"Of course! Name one woman who's not interested in The Queen Marie Antoinette's huge drop-shaped naturally-formed Pearl!" Said Amara with a crazed glimmer of greed flickering within her eyes, the kind of look which was screaming 'I've found my lost baby!'.

Hearing this, wanting to confirm something, Virus looked in the golden beauty's direction only to be surprised by what he saw.

He was instantly taken aback because he witnessed that although she wasn't saying anything, her eyes were already shimmering in a strange light. That was an intense desire to possess.

Displaying a wry smile to this, Virus thought of something which had gone through his head on many occasions, 'She's a woman, alright?' And with that, he was also adamant about getting his hands on the pearl just for her sake.

By now, the price had already been raised to a whopping $42 million with only a few bidders remaining in the bidding war.

"$80 million!" Suddenly, a haughty sound was heard from a corner, shocking everyone due to the abrupt increase of the price to twice the previous bid! Thus, twisting their neck, everyone was faced with the arrogant nearly toothless Fan Tong!

'I'll buy this pearl just for you, Hu Yuexin! There's no way you'll be able to resist this… tonight, I'm finally gonna… haha…' With a perverse shine sparkling inside his pupils, Fan Tong bidded wearing a twisted grin.

After that bid, everyone turned entirely quiet while whispering some words like "that's too much.", "it's too expensive now.", or "that's not worth it.".

At this moment, the auctioneer's eyes were shining in extreme delight as she exclaimed, "What a bid! Is there no one else who wants to bid more? No gentleman willing to fight for the happiness of his loved one? Anyone for $81 million? No? Then $80 million going once… going twice…"

Seeing Fan Tong bidding, an irritated frown appeared on Amara's forehead. However, knowing the price was already way too expensive for the pearl, she could only give up since she wasn't one to squander money mindlessly.

Meanwhile, the auctioneer was just about to close the bid, when a new casual bid was heard, "$200 million!"

This in return, made everyone wide-eyed as they could only look in the direction of the source of the voice in utter stupefaction, just to discover a relaxed Virus taking another sip from his specially brewed tea without any care in the entire world! As if it was just a random number he had thrown rather than a shitload of money.

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