Chapter 52
Auction Banquet
Chapter 52 Auction Banquet
Outside a lavishly decorated building, a car is parked, its cheapness clashing with the building's overall aesthetic.
"Are you sure bringing Laura in is a wise choice?"
Caliban turned around from the driver's seat and glanced at Laura and Logan in the back seat. "She might make things worse. I mean, she's young and inexperienced."
"Should I bring you along?"
Logan rolled his eyes at him. A white man with albinism would become the center of attention wherever he appeared. Compared to him, Laura, though small, would at least not receive as much attention.
"Lola won't cause trouble. If it weren't for the invitation, I'd rather go alone."
Logan took a black invitation card out of his pocket. The cover was embossed with a silver cross and looked very well made.
"Invitation to the Cross Auction" This is the invitation letter I picked up from the Nottland office yesterday. In addition to the invitation letter, the requirements for attending the event also specifically state that two people must accompany each other and that the funds must exceed US$200,000.
Therefore, he had to dress Laura up carefully to get her to participate in the auction with him.
As for the minimum capital verification of 200,000, that was relatively easier to solve. The money saved up by the Lawrence family, plus the remuneration paid by Gabriela before leaving, barely raised 200,000.
"Perhaps Victor doesn't want us to rescue him. Taking such a huge risk would endanger us all, and it would leave him with a life of guilt."
Caliban looked at Logan, strongly opposing this risky move.
"Shut up!"
Logan coldly interrupted Caliban, his voice leaving no room for argument, "For him, it's worth it."
"Hey, don't get excited."
Caliban quickly spoke up, pressing his hands down to signal Logan not to get angry, "I was just saying it casually, and besides, Victor might not even be inside. He's a saber-toothed tiger; who could catch him?"
Logan ignored Caliban and turned to straighten Laura's collar. The girl was wearing a brand-new black suit and pink sunglasses. Her delicate and pretty face was quite charming.
Logan bought new suits for himself and Laura to attend the auction. Although they were not as expensive as the custom-made ones, they were much better than the cheap suits he used to wear.
He whispered to Laura, "Don't be nervous later, just follow me."
Laura nodded obediently, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
"Let's go."
Logan got out of the car, and the two walked together toward the magnificent building.
Inside the car, Caliban looked helplessly at the two figures, one large and one small, and gazed at the towering building hundreds of meters high, feeling a vague sense of unease.
If this conflict happens, it won't be easy to escape.
Meanwhile, Logan led Laura into the building and took the elevator to the fourteenth floor, where the cross auction was being held.
As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, Logan was amazed by the high-end banquet hall.
The entire banquet hall was decorated in a very high-end style. Soft colored lights illuminated the hall, not dazzling, but creating a relaxing visual atmosphere.
A skilled pianist is playing gentle notes on the stage, and the soothing music seems to cleanse the soul.
The self-service pastries and delicacies on the table are exquisite, with plating styles that are beyond the reach of ordinary people.
The hall was filled with people holding wine glasses and talking in hushed tones. They were elegant and polite, the men exuding gentlemanly charm and the women looking like princesses from a royal family. Apart from Logan and Laura, the rest of them were probably wealthy businessmen who could directly influence the economy of the entire Nevada state.
"Sir, what would you like to drink?"
A waiter in a tuxedo walked over slowly, nodded politely to Logan, and asked in a soft voice.
"Brandy and juice."
Logan glanced at Laura beside him.
The waiter showed no surprise at Laura's age, nodded respectfully, and then brought the two of them two drinks.
Logan, holding a wine glass, led Laura to a seat.
Clearly, the banquet was just a formality; the main event was the auction, so the exquisite food on the table naturally went untouched.
However, Laura Kinney didn't care about that. There was very little food available in the laboratory, and after escaping, she lived a simple and plain life with Gabriela. How could she have seen so many delicacies?
Without any hesitation, she tasted all the candies and pastries on the table, a satisfied smile curving her lips.
"Mr. Notland, why are you so late?"
A sound caught Logan's attention. He looked towards the door and saw Notland stepping out of the elevator.
He smiled and said to his old friend who was asking him questions, "Something came up and I was held up."
He glanced around the banquet hall, but thankfully did not recognize Logan.
That's normal, since Logan didn't have any direct contact with him back then; he just accompanied Victor to his office door.
Logan sat in his chair, listening intently to Nortland's movements.
"What good stuff are you planning to buy this time?"
Notland smiled as he took a glass of red wine from the waiter and spoke quietly to his old friend.
"That's hard to say. There are so many items up for auction this time, and they're all very attractive," the old friend replied softly.
He paused, then smiled at Nottland, "And you? I bet you've got your eye on something good."
"No, no, no."
Notland squinted, smiled and shook his head at his old friend, "I've prepared a big surprise this time."
"Oh?" the old friend asked, somewhat curious.
Notland, feigning mystery, sipped his red wine and said softly, "You'll find out soon enough; it will definitely open your eyes."
His old friend's curiosity was completely piqued. "You've made me even more excited for this auction."
Logan listened to their conversation, his brow furrowing slightly.
At this moment, the waiter came out, the piano music stopped, the colored lights went out, and the waiter announced through a microphone that the auction was about to begin, asking those who participated in the auction to go to the hall to get a number and take their assigned seats.
The people in the room began to move and head towards the hall.
Logan was assigned numbers seventeen and eighteen, which were relatively close to the front. He led Laura to choose a seat and they sat down.
Just as he sat down, Notland, holding up number sixteen, sat down to Logan's left.
Logan glanced at it briefly before looking away, intending to ignore it.
However, Naughton greeted him warmly, "Lance Naughton, may I ask your name, sir?"
"James Logan."
Logan had no choice but to force a smile in response.
"James..." Notland murmured softly, then asked with some curiosity, "What kind of business does Mr. James run?"
He might not know all the wealthy businessmen in Las Vegas, but he had heard of most of their names. However, the name Logan was quite unfamiliar to him.
"The logistics industry rarely makes an appearance."
Logan made up a random excuse, trying his best not to look directly at him.
"Logistics business? I've never heard of a family named Logan not being in the logistics industry?"
Notland, however, stared at Logan's face and suddenly spoke, "But you look familiar. Haven't we met before?"
(End of this chapter)