C18 Returning to the Auction House

While Mo Fann underwent testing at the Galaxy Club, Bai Jiuyan was preoccupied with her own affairs. As Mo Fann stealthily left his house at noon, she was just waking up. Her first order of business was to check on her auction house's current state.

Since the major incident, the Demon Slayer Division and the Lee family had besieged the Nine Hu Auction House for two solid days, showing no signs of backing down. Despite turning the place upside down, they seemed unsatisfied, stubbornly preventing the resumption of normal operations. Bai Jiuyan was livid.

She wasn't concerned about the loss in revenue for herself, but what about her employees? Didn't they need to eat? The Lee family's actions were excessive; failing to discipline their son, they resorted to oppressing others.

Dodging the vigilant eyes outside, Bai Jiuyan managed to sneak into the auction house's backstage area. Upon seeing her, Mr. Hua's eyes brimmed with tears. He bowed deeply, his hands clasped in respect.

"Miss Bai, I beg your forgiveness. I have been utterly inept. Not only did I mismanage the auction house, but I also caused a tremendous mishap. I am truly worthless, having betrayed your trust," he lamented.

Bai Jiuyan, aware of the whole story, couldn't stand to watch the old man shoulder the blame. She lifted him to his feet, offering words of solace.

"I know none of this is your fault; it's Lee Jun who's to blame. Are they still not allowing you to leave?"

Mr. Hua, drying his tears, explained, "We intended to go home last night after giving our statements, but the Lee family blocked the Demon Slayer Division's entrance, demanding an explanation. Under pressure, the Division offered a compromise: return to the auction house and wait for the issue to be resolved before going home."

Bai Jiuyan's fists tightened in frustration.

"This is a blatant disregard for the law! Have they even paid the compensation and auction fees? Without that, they have no right to hassle you!"

Mr. Hua sighed, "The Lee family has paid the deceased employee's family, but they coerced them into not suing Lee Jun, insisting it was an accidental death. They claim that once Lee Jun is found, he won't face any criminal charges."

"As for the auction proceeds... the Lee family says they'll pay once they see Lee Jun."

Furious, Bai Jiuyan slammed her palm down on a nearby table.

"This is unacceptable! The Lee family can't just reap all the benefits! Who's responsible for this? I need to speak with them!"

Mr. Hua glanced around cautiously before whispering to her, "The Demon Slayer Division is in full control of the situation. They suspect demonic activity at the scene... Miss Bai, please be careful."

Indeed, Mr. Hua was among the rare few who knew Bai Jiuyan's true identity in the human world, which is why he cautioned her against rashly confronting the Demon Slayer Division.

But Bai Jiuyan was undeterred.

"A mere Demon Slayer Division can't intimidate me. If I were so easily exposed, my years among humans would have been for naught. Rest easy, old friend. I'll handle this. Our auction house will be back in business in no time!"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Bai Jiuyan vanished from the auction house in the blink of an eye.

Outside the auction house, atop the Demon Slayer Division's surveillance vehicle, the device that tracked demonic auras registered a minor blip as Bai Jiuyan departed. The operator had barely focused on the anomaly before it normalized. Rubbing his eyes, he dismissed it as a trick of the light and redirected his attention elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Bai Jiuyan had swiftly made her way to the Demon Slayer Division. She was the picture of affluence, adorned in a noblewoman's attire complete with a white European aristocratic hat, oversized sunglasses, and fiery red lipstick—a veritable image of a triumphant businesswoman.

As Bai Jiuyan approached, she was halted by the security guard at the entrance.

"Who dares to intrude upon the Demon Slayer Division?!"

With a scoff, Bai Jiuyan retorted, "I am Miss Bai, proprietor of the Nine Hu Auction House. Has your supervisor instructed you to bar me from entering the Demon Slayer Division to discuss the case?"

The guard, recognizing her status, stepped back respectfully and bowed.

Bai Jiuyan entered the Demon Slayer Division with a haughty snort, her presence undetected by any of the surveillance equipment—a testament to the Ninetails Lynx bloodline's superiority. Unless they chose to expose their demonic aura, their presence remained virtually untraceable.

Barging into the officer's office, Bai Jiuyan ignored the guards' protests about an ongoing meeting with an important guest. She strode in, her demeanor one of undisguised disdain.

Inside the office, Zhou Keqin and Lee Guohui were deep in discussion. The sudden intrusion prompted them to look up, their gazes landing on the imposing figure of Bai Jiuyan.

The door guard, flustered, came in to apologize to Zhou Keqin. "My apologies, Sir Zhou, we couldn't stop her. She claims to be the head of the Nine Hu Auction House..."

Lee Guohui's expression darkened upon hearing this, while Zhou Keqin, resting her chin in her hands, regarded Bai Jiuyan with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

Zhou Keqin gestured dismissively, and the guard, taking the cue, closed the door behind him as he left.

"What brings Miss Bai to grace us with her presence?" Zhou Keqin inquired, a smile playing on her lips.

Bai Jiuyan's response was a cold huff. "Aren't you both aware of my reasons? We've submitted all the evidence, clearly showing that we are the victims here. So why haven't you allowed our auction house to reopen, and why are you detaining our employees?"

Zhou Keqin's eyes flicked to Lee Guohui. "Indeed, Old Mr. Lee, what's your take on Miss Bai's grievances?"

Her tone was laced with irony and challenge. She had witnessed Lee Guohui's oppressive tactics against the Nine Hu Auction House and, though she had to avoid direct conflict with the Lee family as her master had advised, she couldn't resist the opportunity to stir the pot.

Lee Guohui gave Bai Jiuyan a contemptuous once-over before rising to his feet, hands clasped behind his back. "My son is still missing. How can you brazenly claim that the Nine Hu Auction House has no connection to his disappearance? And the missing surveillance footage—how do you explain that it wasn't tampered with by someone within your own ranks?"