The time was 5:40 PM, 20 minutes till the auction took off. To liven up the atmosphere, several pole dancers started performing. Abel, Benjamin, and the 12 elite guards remained still in their positions. Two other guards went to scout out Emmeline’s room, to no avail. As all canaries were busy putting on their costumes and makeup. A round badge that had “No. 9” on it was attached to Emmeline’s waist. It had one purpose. To lead everyone’s eyes to the most titillating region.

Since Adam didn’t want to alert the Adelmar Clan, his auction was much smaller in scale. He had 19 canaries in total, but only 11 would be auctioned off tonight. His plan was to get rid of both Abel and Benjamin. Profit was not his priority.

After the pole dancers came two belly dancers. And when the performance was over, an emcee in white appeared. He exchanged pleasantries with the rich businessmen present and ushered in the canaries. Buyers, who were dying from boredom moments ago, turned excited. This was the highlight of the night. They came for the visual feast. And soon, 11 women in provocative attires lined up on the stage. What followed the initial gasp was a long silence, as everyone was busy admiring the absolute beauty before them. The face of each canary was half-covered in thin veils, which only added to their charm.

“There once was a woman whose eyes outshone the star, whose body outcharmed the gems…”

A song was played. And for everyone present, it precisely described the way they felt now.

“Yes… I need her,” Everyone chanted.

Abel and Benjamin focused hard. They needed to locate Canary No. 9.

“Emma!”

“Emma!”

Both men stood up. But so did everyone else.