Chapter 223 The Black Heart Is the Legacy of the Galactic Aurora Collective
"Since he's out of his mind, whatever he wants to do has nothing to do with me." Catherine originally thought Tiberius wanted to hype up the nephrite market just to make a profit. She didn't expect that he was actually aiming for the Galactic Aurora Collective.
She didn't believe that Tiberius went to great lengths to contact her just to get a discount from the Galactic Aurora Collective.
If he claimed to know the previous boss of the Galactic Aurora Collective, he wouldn't lack ways to get a discount.
Using such an excuse to contact her only showed that Tiberius was either talking nonsense or wasn't really familiar with that so-called previous boss!
Catherine glanced at the calendar on her phone.
Next week was the time for her to report to Imperial University.
The Galactic Aurora Collective had already tracked down another part of the USB drive left by Elodie, which might be in Franklin's hands.
Catherine always felt that what Elodie wanted to tell her was probably stored in that USB drive!
On stage, a new display stand appeared behind the auctioneer. "The next auction item is a violin handcrafted by Vincent, starting at one million dollars."
A simple and understated violin was placed on the stand.
Every part of it was exquisitely crafted, with the headstock and tuning pegs adorned with nephrite that had a lustrous sheen.
As soon as this violin appeared, it caught the attention of almost everyone present.
To better showcase the item, the auction house was lit from all directions, and all information was transmitted to the electronic screens in the private rooms.
Looking at the violin, Catherine was also very surprised, telling that this violin was indeed Vincent's work with a a glance.
It even retained many of Vincent's techniques for making violins, and the strings were well-maintained with slight wear.
It was clear that the owner of this violin didn't play it often.
The room was abuzz, and even the previously quiet private rooms became noisy.
The prices on the electronic screens in the private rooms kept rising.
"Two million dollars."
"Two and a half million dollars."
"Three million dollars."
Vincent's violins had always been priceless, and the few that circulated in the market had been hyped to astronomical prices.
Alexander raised an eyebrow, looking at the somewhat excited Catherine. "Do you want to buy it?"
Catherine pondered for a moment. "Since it's Vincent's work, we should take it back no matter what."
Just as she was about to operate the electronic screen to bid, a message suddenly appeared on the screen: [One million dollars means one million dollars. I am Vincent.]
Seeing this message, the previously excited guests suddenly quieted down!
Those who were bidding quickly withdrew their offers!
Vincent had stated the price, and they weren't foolish enough to drive it up.
No matter how precious the violin was, it couldn't compare to Vincent himself being there!
Watching the prices being withdrawn on the electronic screen, leaving only Vincent's one million dollars, Catherine chuckled!
Alexander seemed to remember something. "You and Vincent definitely have that teacher-student thing going on, with your matching styles."
Previously, when Catherine wanted information at an auction, she also directly revealed her identity. Maybe this was a characteristic of the Galactic Aurora Collective
Catherine shrugged indifferently. "After all, the value of those things is evident, and the people of the Galactic Aurora Collective aren't fools."
It was not that they couldn't afford it through normal procedures, but not raising the price was more cost-effective!
With Vincent present, the violin auction quickly ended, selling for one million dollars.
Catherine also received a message on her phone.
Vincent: [Catherine, come with me to the back to get the item later.]
Catherine: [Okay.]
In such a setting, Vincent knew Catherine would definitely be there!
Catherine looked back at the stage.
"The next piece of information is related to nephrite and is a public announcement. A family has discovered a considerable amount of nephrite in the snowy mountains. The paid portion starts at ten thousand dollars." the auctioneer said.
The message was somewhat ambiguous.
It only mentioned the discovery of nephrite without specifying the location, leading interested parties to believe that the paid portion would reveal the location.
Sure enough, many people were interested in this information.
Alexander turned to look at Catherine beside him. "Not interested?"
Catherine nodded, thinking it was not that she wasn't interested, but this information was most likely released by the Galactic Aurora Collective.
After the auction concluded, Catherine indeed received a transaction reminder from the auction house.
So she was the information provider.
Catherine was unfazed by the revelation. Having cooperated with the Galactic Aurora Collective for many years, there was no need for prior discussion!
"Was this information released by the Galactic Aurora Collective?" Alexander asked.
"Yes, I checked, and the person who bought this information is a jade merchant from Imperia City, specializing in nephrite." she said.
However, this person happened to be one of Tiberius's people.
The auction stage was refreshed. "The next piece of information is a paid announcement. A gentleman has commissioned us to find a way to get to Ironclad Jail. If anyone has a method, please state your price."
The auction house had both sales and purchases, and there were many who used the auction house to obtain information.
Catherine tapped on the electronic screen: [Thirty million dollars.]
Vincent, in another private room, saw the message on the screen and burst out laughing. He glanced at the person sitting next to him. "My student is truly ruthless."
"After all, she's a good kid taught by you old folks."
Vincent pretended not to understand the sarcasm in his words and continued to laugh. "If Elodie hadn't contacted me back then, wanting Catherine to learn something from us, I wouldn't have known you were all still alive."
"Even if you knew, it wouldn't matter. Elodie is no longer here." The person sitting next to him folded his hands together, looking at Vincent with a somewhat defensive posture. "Even if you come to me, it won't help. Franklin is a madman, and I can't persuade him!"
Back then, Franklin insisted on starting the Galactic Aurora Collective project despite everyone's opposition, aiming to cultivate more super geniuses. Franklin's plan was brutal, and countless people opposed it, including the person in front of Vincent.
"I didn't mean to ask you to persuade Franklin. By auctioning off the violin I gave him, he's telling me that appealing to sentiment won't work." Vincent said, not planning to appeal to sentiment either.
The person beside him sneered, "I'd like to know what Catherine will think if she knows that being sent to the Galactic Aurora Collective was all arranged by you old men and Elodie. A good child like her went through so much pain, all because of you. Won't she hate you then?"
Vincent shook his head helplessly, but his face showed a loving smile. "Catherine won't. She's the best child in the world!"
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