The Heiress's Comeback-Chapter 107: [Volume 1] - - Auction.
The next day, Esme sat in her office, calmly going through her paperwork. The steady hum of the office surrounded her, the rhythm of her work uninterrupted. But that calm was abruptly shattered when the door burst open, and in came Helga, her usual composed demeanor replaced by a mess of emotions.
A file was clutched tightly in her hand, and though her appearance was disheveled, her eyes shone with victory, like she’d just uncovered a long-hidden secret.
Esme didn’t even need to ask. One look at Helga’s expression and she already knew something significant had happened. But she played along, leaning back slightly in her chair with a raised eyebrow.
"What happened, Secretary Ruby?" Esme asked, her voice smooth, but with a hint of curiosity. "Why are you in such a rush?"
Helga, without a second thought, walked briskly up to Esme’s desk, a triumphant smile dancing on her lips. She leaned over the table, her excitement barely contained. "I found it."
Esme’s gaze sharpened. "What?"
"The auction," Helga whispered, savoring the moment. "The auction where the pendant is being sold."
"An auction?" Esme asked, her voice now piqued with real interest.
Helga nodded, eyes sparkling with excitement. "Yes, that’s where the pendant is placed. I also managed to secure two tickets for us."
A smile slowly spread across Esme’s face, full of quiet confidence. She had expected nothing less from Helga, her capable and sharp secretary, who always seemed to pull through when it mattered most.
"I just knew it!" Esme said, a proud smile on her face. "Honestly, when it comes to our talented Miss Ruby, what more could I hope for?"
Helga’s smile widened, a flush of pride coloring her face. She stood taller, her earlier disheveled state forgotten in the glow of their impending success.
"So, when is it?" Esme asked, rising from her chair, her voice calm but tinged with anticipation.
Helga gave a professional smile, eyes glinting with the satisfaction of her discovery. "Today, in about an hour."
Hearing that, a smirk slowly curled on Esme’s lips. She had known about the pendant being auctioned for some time now, yet no matter how much she tried, the actual location had always eluded her. It was always transported from one place to another, like a ghost, impossible to track.
But now, finally, she had her lead.
....
Somewhere far away, a sleek black van rolled to a stop in front of an inconspicuous building. The engine hummed softly before cutting off, leaving the air still. A group of women, dressed sharply in black security uniforms, emerged from the van with an air of quiet authority. Their movements were smooth, precise, and carried a sense of purpose.
In their hands was a small, locked box—carefully guarded and cradled as though it held something of immense value. Each woman moved with the grace of someone trained for far more than just security work. Their eyes scanned their surroundings, quick and vigilant, before settling on their destination.
The building in front of them was subtle but radiated exclusivity. Its plain exterior did little to hint at the high-stakes deals and hidden treasures inside. This was no ordinary place—it was an auction house, a secretive space known to few, where objects of unimaginable worth were traded behind closed doors.
Without exchanging a word, they advanced toward the guarded entrance. The doors opened smoothly as they approached, as if expecting them. With the locked box still held tightly, they stepped into the building, disappearing into its dimly lit corridors.
In a dimly lit office, a middle-aged woman sat before a locked box, her gaze sharp and focused. The box, resting on the table in front of her, held an air of mystery. Another woman, seated across from her, carefully unlocked the box, revealing its precious contents.
Inside, encased in a glass lock, lay the pendant. Its chain was thin, but the intricate pattern that adorned it resembled snake skin. The pendant itself was a striking, deep blue, clear yet complex, as if it held countless dimensions within its shimmering surface.
The woman smiled, her eyes glinting with intrigue as she admired the piece. "Wow, so this is the legendary pendant of the Rex family," she mused, her fingers lightly brushing against the glass. It was a treasure not just for its beauty but for the history and power it symbolized.
The room was tense as the security guards, who had transported the pendant, stood watch. The two women continued to examine the artifact, but confusion crossed the face of the one seated on the other side of the table.
But her moment of awe was short-lived, as the other woman, standing beside her, broke the silence, her voice laced with uncertainty. "But, Chief... who do we send the money to? The family or the real master?"
The question hung in the air, causing the chief woman to pause, her smile fading into a look of confusion. She hadn’t thought that far ahead, unsure of who would actually claim ownership of this prized artifact once the auction was complete. As the weight of the question settled over her, she opened her mouth to respond but was interrupted by a voice behind them.
"There is no need," came the cold, matter-of-fact tone of one of the security guards who had escorted the pendant into the building.
The two women turned, their confusion deepening as they saw the guard step forward. In one swift, fluid motion, the guard reached behind her and pulled out a sleek black gun from her waistband. Her face remained emotionless as she raised the weapon, aiming it directly at them.
Before either woman could react, the deafening crack of gunfire echoed in the room. The shots were precise, methodical—two bullets, one for each of the women. Their bodies jerked violently as the bullets struck them, slumping forward onto the table with wide, lifeless eyes. Blood pooled beneath them, staining the papers and documents scattered across the surface.
Clank.
