When There Is Nothing Left But Love

I handed my invitation to him. He smiled and gave me a paddle before gesturing me to walk forward.

I entered the auction hall with the paddle in hand. Many of the seats inside were already filled.

I found my seat. Stacey had already arrived. When she saw me, she said, “I thought you weren’t coming.”

I gently sat down and looked around at the large number of people in the auction hall. I could not help but exclaim in surprise, “I didn’t expect this auction to be on a large scale. There are so many people here.”

Usually, only influential individuals were invited. However, the guest list seemed to be more complex this time.

She leaned into my ear and whispered, “All the VIPs are seated in front. The seats at the back are just glorified audience members.”

A smile tugged at my lips. I felt she was exaggerating and checked the number on my paddle. The number one hundred was inscribed on it.

Evidently, there were at least a hundred people present at the auction.

I scanned the surroundings and noticed that black was draped over items that were situated all around the area. I could not help but ask curiously, “What’s all those?”

She lowered her voice and said, “Those are the treasures collected by various specialty stores in J City. Once the auction starts, the black cloth will be removed to reveal the treasures. It’s so the participants can check them out.”

I nodded. This was my first time at such an auction.

call was coming from Joseph. I picked up and

stunned and looked over at Joseph, who was standing near the stage. “I can sit at the back,”

has made the arrangements. You’ll have a better view from the

excitedly, “You’ll be able to see the items clearly from the front. Most importantly, you’ll be able to rub elbows with the wealthy

know Mr. Fuller has arranged everything nicely for you. Please bring

to do. I thought it over before asking,

a moment before

phone, and looked

for the silence imposed by the large number of

could only cover her mouth and whisper, “Great! You’re the best,

and walked to the front row with

those things should be done fairly. Every citizen should receive equal treatment and people should

were born, they were sorted into different classes. In school, the teachers favored the smart. In society, the disparity is all the

in attendance was the same. Yet, the people at the front were relaxed and served refreshments. The people at

and one’s treatment was

Joseph switched out Stacey and my paddles. He handed me a

confused and asked, “What’s

bid on whatever attracts your attention. This card

being