Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 61: Checkmate Begins

The atmosphere inside the Grand Knox Auction Hall was suffocating with tension. Every tycoon held their breath as the royal knight stepped forward, his boots echoing across the polished stage floor.

Luke Nightwalker.

He looked like a walking execution order than a royal knight. His sharp gaze swept across the hall, pausing only briefly on each VIP room door like a predator marking his hunt.

As Princess Seraphina’s order still lingered in the air, he turned back to her for confirmation.

"Luke," Seraphina said calmly, her voice ringing with regal clarity, "start the search with our own room. Let it be known to all that I do not stand above my own rules."

Virgil immediately bowed low. "Your Highness, we dare not doubt your fairness!"

She gave a small smile. "It’s alright, Sir Virgil. I am a VIP tonight, like everyone else. Every room will be checked. No exceptions."

Whispers spread rapidly through the crowd.

"She’s even having her own room checked?"

"Princess Seraphina is so kind..."

"That’s real royalty."

As the guards opened the velvet ropes leading to VIP Room 10, Lukas took the lead. Seraphina followed a few steps behind him, hands behind her back, her expression unreadable. Dozens of eyes followed their every move.

Inside VIP Room 10, the guards searched with strict professionalism, checking corners, beneath tables, and every inch of furniture. Lukas himself opened every compartment and even examined the ventilation panel.

Nothing.

He turned and nodded once. "Clear."

The tension in the room eased slightly. Seraphina stepped outside, her eyes sweeping over the gathered guests.

"There," she said, glancing at the stage. "Let none say I showed bias."

The crowd murmured in approval, and even some of them offered respectful nods. freewebnσvel.cѳm

From his place near the edge of the stage, Ethan watched it all with a subtle smirk.

He leaned toward Jasmine. "She’s playing it smart."

Jasmine whispered, "She’s really good.."

Meanwhile, Master Yun watched the scene unfold from behind his silver mask, but his attention wasn’t on the princess,it was locked onto Ethan.

He saw that faint smile on the young man’s lips and felt a chill.

That smile wasn’t nervous or forced.

It was the smile of a man who was certain of something.

Gregory had already briefed him earlier, how Ethan humiliated him in front of Hayes’ family, how he took the painting.

When Master Yun tried to look into Ethan’s background, everything appeared normal.

But the more he tried to dig, the more his efforts were blocked.

By something or someone.

That was when Master Yun reached a chilling conclusion.

"This boy..." he murmured quietly behind his mask, "he’s not ordinary."

Ethan glanced toward him, as if sensing the thought. Their eyes met for a split second across the hall.

Master Yun quickly raised a hand behind his back and signaled his representative and Gregory: Don’t react. Stay normal.

Gregory, sweating slightly, gave a small nod. Trevor beside him tried to look casual, though his jaw was clenched tight.

Lukas returned to the stage, facing the crowd. "VIP Room 10 is clear."

The audience braced themselves again.

One by one, VIP rooms were opened. One by one, vip guests stood aside nervously, even though they were innocent.

But this wasn’t about guilt.

It was about fear.

Fear of Lukas.

His cold eyes, his unblinking gaze, the emotionless tone in his voice,they all screamed of someone who lived for the Princess and would burn anything to ash for her slightest command.

Inside each room, Lukas moved like a hound trained to kill. Even the most powerful merchants and nobles stepped back like prey.

Finally, after a long tense march, he stopped outside VIP Room No. 8,Gregory and Trevor’s.

The two were already standing, pale, trying to appear normal.

"Open the door," Lukas ordered.

Trevor’s hands trembled as he turned the knob.

Lukas stepped inside, flanked by guards. He checked every inch. The wardrobes. The floor. The drawer under the table. The flower vase.

Nothing.

He walked out without a word.

Gregory exhaled shakily, barely hiding the panic in his throat.

"Princess," master Yun said, voice laced with restrained authority, "we are wasting time here."

Everyone turned toward him.

"The longer you delay," he continued, "the further the real thief gets. You shouldn’t have listened to him."

His masked gaze turned slightly toward Ethan.

She ignored him and told Luke to continue.

Then they reached VIP Room No. 5.

The room of Master Yun.

Luke’s eyes scanned the room swiftly and thoroughly,his hand trailing the edges of the curtains.

Master Yun stood silently in the corner, arms folded behind his back, his mask hiding all emotion.

Finally, Luke paused.

His hand reached up toward a tall antique cabinet.

He pulled the door open,and there it was.

A sleek black titanium case.

The seal of the Grand Knox Auction Hall is still pressed on the corner.

"Mosalina..." Lukas said coldly.

He stepped back, holding the case up.

Everyone on the floor below gasped.

Princess Seraphina’s face twisted. "What... the hell...?"

Even the vips in the crowd stood up in shock.

"No way..."

"That’s Master Yun’s room..."

"The great Master Yun, stealing from the royal family?"

"He tried to manipulate destiny... and got caught."

Gregory felt his legs wobble. Trevor looked like he would faint.

Master Yun stared at the painting in Lukas’s hands, silent.

Impossible... What is this thing doing here?

His thoughts raced.

Did Gregory... betray me?

His gaze slowly turned. Gregory looked back with a frozen face.

"Master Yun," Luke declared, voice slicing the air like a guillotine, "you are accused of stealing from the royal family.."

He turned toward the hall and raised the case.

"The thief is Master Yun."

Gasps exploded through the crowd. Some nobles outright yelled in shock.

"Impossible!"

"There must be a mistake!"

"He’s the one who warned us about destiny!"

Seraphina’s eyes burned with fury.

"So this was what you saw in that painting’s fate, Master Yun?" she said coldly, stepping forward. "Let me tell you yours now... Death."

Luke stepped forward, one hand already on his sword hilt.

"Understood."

Master Yun didn’t move. He said nothing.

He couldn’t.

Because even he didn’t understand what had just happened.

But before the execution could be carried out, a calm voice echoed from the side of the stage.

"Wait," Ethan said, stepping forward.

Seraphina turned, eyes narrowed. "What is it?"

Ethan smiled faintly. "I don’t think Master Yun stole the painting."

The entire hall fell silent again.

Seraphina’s eyes narrowed further. "You’re defending him?"

Ethan met her gaze without hesitation. "No. I’m questioning the situation."

He looked at Lukas, then at Master Yun.

"I have a theory," Ethan said, folding his arms. "But if I’m right... someone else is pulling the strings here."

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