The venue, where people had been eagerly bidding against one another, maintained an orderly yet lively atmosphere—until a dark figure walked from the back to the front of the stage and whispered something into the auctioneer's ear.
The crowd was bewildered as they watched the auctioneer's expression shift abruptly. He nodded to an aide beside him, then looked out at the seated attendees with a grave expression. "Ladies and gentlemen, today's auction concludes here. Please leave in an orderly fashion through the rear exit."
No sooner had his voice fallen than a group of men in black sprang into action. Some moved to escort the guests out, while others began tallying the auction lots, packing them up, and boxing them away.
Chapter 737