Chapter 582
Several luxury cars headed toward the nightclub, stopping just outside. When the vehicles stopped, the club’s boss rushed out, breathing heavily at his eyes locked onto the “Stewart” insignia on the license plates, his legs trembling with fear.
The “Stewart license plates were exclusive to the Stewart family–belonging to a family wielded immense influence over the global economy. For generations, their authority had gone unchallenged. Their wealth and power were unparalleled; even the slightest move from them could shake the entire Crownridge
Why would people from such a family come to a place like this? The boss wondered, his heart pounding. When he first received word of their arrival, he panicked, convinced he must have done something to offend them, and now they had come to settle the score.
“Mr. Stewart.” The boss said, standing there with utmost respect
Behind him stood a line of bodyguards and enforcers, all equally subdued, their expressions tense.
No one dared to breathe too loudly. Inside, the nightclub had fallen into complete silence, the usual lively atmosphere replaced with oppressive stillness. The staff and patroms held their breaths, terrified of causing any offense.
The boss’s eyes scanned the group, quickly locking onto Percival. He thought, “These people exude an air of sophistication and power–clearly heirs
of affluent families. Still, Percival’s presence stands out.
“Among recognizable faces, like Stellan and Francis, well–known celebrities, only one man remains an enigma. That must be him–the head of the Stewart family
With that thought, the boss approached with practiced politeness, a professional smile plastered on his face. “Everything inside has been prepared for you. We’ve reserved the number one suite upstairs for your group,” he said confidently.
“Good,” Percival replied in a low, commanding voice.
The bodyguard stepped forward and handed over a thick stack of cash.
The boss stared at the money in surprise, feeling a mix of flattery and shock. Most patrons tipped after their visit, but it was rare–almost unheard of–for someone to hand over cash when they arrived.
Running his fingers over the thickness of the stack, he felt a surge of excitement.
He followed closely behind the group as they entered the club, which had been cleared out in advance.
All other guests had been ushered to a back room, leaving the space eerily quiet. Leading the group upstairs, the boss stopped in front of the number one suite and opened the door for them.
The number one suite, typically off–limits to the public, was reserved for the elite. It symbolized power and status, an exclusive place where money couldn’t guarantee entry.
After ensuring the group was settled, the boss instructed staff to bring in drinks, fruit, and snacks before quietly leaving the room
“So, this is a nightclub!” Odalys said as she stood, walking to the window,
Hearing the commotion from below, she opened the window and glanced down. From their vantage point, the auction stage was in full view,
The room below was filled with patrons–men with arms around shy young women, wealthy older women accompanied by younger companions, and an assortment of rowdy onlookers, many of whom seemed to be from the underworld.
“Tonight’s auction begins now someone shouted from the stage.
A figure was pushed forward onto the platform–a man in black trousers and a crisp white shirt, several buttons undone to reveal a muscular chest. “His hair
was neatly combed, though a few strands fell casually across his forehead, and his entire demeanor exuded a raw, magnetic energy that set him apart from the typical nightclub regulars,
“Wait, isn’t that Henry?” someone in the crowd muttered in disbelief.
Henry was no stranger to many in the room. Some had crossed paths with him socially, others in business. His sudden appearance here left everyone stunned, the realization drawing slurp gasps from the audience.
The president of the Bennett Group on the auction block? What’s going on someone asked, battled
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Chapter 582
Others, however, whistled and cheered, their excitement rising as they watched Henry stand motionless on stage. His vacant eyes stared ahead, unfocused, as though he couldn’t hear or process the noise around him.
“He’s been drugged” Selah muntered as she popped a peanut into her mouth.
Freya leaned over their shoulders to get a better look. “You’ve got to be kidding me. That is Henry! Odalys, is this why you brought us here to witness this? It’s unbelievable! The great president of the Bennett Group, up for auction–it’s unreal!”
was standing on the auction stage, the Bennett
“Her eyes gleamed with excitement. She had always disliked the Bennett family. Now that Henry was st family’s reputation in Crownridge was utterly ruined,
“Henry?” Selah stared more intently, trying to reconcile the man on stage with her memory of him. Realization dawned, and her expression shifted.
“It is him! I’ve met him before. He’s always been so proud–this doesn’t make any sense. How could he end up here!” Her shock was so great she nearly dropped the peanuts in her hand.
Stellan and Francis, drawn by the commotion, came over to look. Their expressions darkened as they took in the scene, a mix of disbelief and unease flickering in their eyes.
Odalys remained silent, her gaze locked on Henry. Percival moved to stand beside her. “Do you see anything unusual?” he asked quietly.
“Interesting,” she replied, her eyes narrowing. “Henry’s under the influence of the forbidden scents we saw earlier–the same one Hannah used in the hotel. It’s even from the same bottle. Looks like she’s been putting it to use
Selah visibly shivered at the mention of forbidden scents, goosebumps rising on her arms.
“How could forbidden scents make someone so dazed? Isn’t it said that using them makes the other person completely devoted?” Freya asked, confusion flashing in her eyes.
She couldn’t understand it; it was entirely beyond her understanding.
“Different forbidden scents have different effects. Odalys explained patiently. “If the forbidden scent is applied to someone’s skin and then burned, causing the other person to inhale it, the one who breathes it in will become utterly devoted to the person wearing it.
“But in this case, Sophia didn’t apply it to herself. Instead, she used it directly on Henry. The forbidden scent muddles the mind without the proper connection, leaving the person disoriented, like their consciousness is locked away.
“It’s similar to severe autism, where the individual lives in their own world, completely cut off from the sounds and reality around them,” Odalys added
Selah frowned in frustration. “Is there a way to fix it? Leaving him like this isn’t any fun,” she said, shaking her head.
A group entered the room in a rush as soon as she finished speaking.
Atlas’s face instantly changed when he saw the figure standing on the stage.
“Henry?” Atlas muttered, convinced his eyes were deceiving him.
Caspian’s heart sank. He hadn’t expected Henry actually to be here. Less than an hour ago, they’d received a message claiming Henry’s life was in danger at the nightclub, which had sent them racing over in a panic.
But seeing Henry on stage, being auctioned off, was beyond anything they could have imagined.
“It is Henry. Why is he selling himself like this?” Sophia said in a pitiful tone, her voice laced with mock sympathy
Sophia stood there with a faint smirk, her eyes flashing with malice.
She wondered, ‘So he thought he could investigate me? Let’s see if he survives this first. Even if someone looks into it, they’ll only trace it back to Hannah, not me. I have nothing to worry about, even if the truth comes out”
“Shut up.” Caspian snapped, his voice trembling with rage as he turned on Sophia. His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening as he fought to keep his anger in check.
