Chapter 171 - 170: Unsolicited Attentiveness

Alan Knight was out taking care of something and hadn’t returned yet. Yvonne Lowell, bored out of her mind, rested her chin in her hand and watched the auction below.

Suddenly, an idea struck her. She looked over at the Leogryph, which had just finished its meal and was now drinking water, and patted the armrest of the sofa.

"Come here. I’ll wipe your mouth for you."

The Leogryph froze mid-sip. It then turned around, presenting its rear to Yvonne Lowell, and nonchalantly went back to drinking as if nothing had happened.

’It’s been ages since she’s offered to wipe my mouth. This sudden kindness can only mean one thing: she’s up to no good!’

’This human is definitely plotting something.’

Yvonne Lowell laughed in exasperation and picked up the tissue box from the table.

"Hurry up. I’m introducing you to a new friend soon, and I’d rather you didn’t scare them off with a mouth full of blood."

"ROAR!" ’I don’t want any new friends! You’re definitely up to something!’

The Leogryph was unmoved, its back still turned to Yvonne Lowell.

"If your roaring brings down this wall, selling you wouldn’t even cover the cost of repairs."

"ROAR!" ’This is *your* wall, so I’m not scared! And I’m not paying a cent!’

"Don’t worry, it’s not a lioness."

Yvonne Lowell’s eyes narrowed. "But," she said menacingly, "if you don’t come over here right now, it *can* be."

The Leogryph couldn’t help but shiver. It immediately padded over like a cat and obediently opened its gaping, bloody maw.

Yvonne Lowell took a tissue and wiped the water droplets from around its mouth, then cleaned the lingering traces of blood from between its teeth.

With its mouth held open, the Leogryph couldn’t roar. Instead, it huffed through its nose to express its dissatisfaction.

Yvonne Lowell tossed the tissue away and patted its head. "Oh, now look at this! Whose little lion are you? So clean and handsome, so big and mighty~"

"ROAR!" ’You silver-tongued woman! I’m not falling for your tricks!’

The Leogryph’s mood visibly improved. It grumbled softly and rested its large head on Yvonne Lowell’s lap, its tail sweeping the floor now and then.

Looking down at the lion’s head on her lap, Yvonne Lowell’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

’Heh, you little thing. As if I couldn’t win you over.’

’She had perfected the art of making grand promises to people; handling a mere little lion was child’s play.’

"Colin, go and invite the distinguished guests from VIP Room 3 over for a chat, if they are willing."

"Yes, Master." Colin, who had been standing to the side, understood her intent. He acknowledged the order and left the room.

...

VIP Room 3.

An attendant brought in the Purple Diamond, and Leo Grant signed for it and paid with his card in one smooth motion.

He stroked the diamond in its brocade box, raising an eyebrow in satisfaction.

’The quality is nice, though it’s a little small. It’ll make a nice piece of jewelry for Little Marshmallow to play with.’

After the attendant left, Nolan Crawford immediately broke into a sly grin. "Bro, buying a diamond out of the blue... don’t tell me you’re planning to propose to Yvonne? Did the Lowells finally give you their blessing?"

Leo Grant shot him a cold glare. "No."

"I knew it. You two haven’t been dating that long, so there’s no way the Lowells would give in so quickly. The battle’s not over, my friend. You’ve still got a ways to go."

Ian Lynch watched, stone-faced, as Nolan danced on his boss’s landmines. ’Go on, keep talking,’ he thought. ’One wrong word and you’ll be silenced.’

’At least we’re not on a plane this time, so my own life isn’t at risk.’

’As they say, better you than me.’

’We’re like birds from the same forest, and when disaster strikes... you’re the one who’s not getting away.’

"Propose with a diamond this small? Would *you* have the nerve?" Leo Grant paused, then continued,

"Oh, right. I forgot, you don’t even have a girlfriend. The battle’s not over, my friend. You’ve still got a ways to go."

Nolan Crawford practically heard a *THWIP* as a sharp arrow pierced his heart.

Before he could even form a retort, Leo Grant spoke again.

"Last I heard, Grandpa Crawford was talking about pressuring you to get married. If you’re too embarrassed to tell him that nobody wants you, I can let him know you’re interested in being set up on some blind dates."

Nolan Crawford laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. "Ahem... Bro, it seems the owner of this auction house is on-site. What do you say we go and greet them?"

After all, considering what just happened, even if the owner didn’t do it specifically for them, they should still express their gratitude.

’Most importantly, changing the subject might just save my damn life!!!’

Leo Grant shot him a sidelong glance but didn’t press the topic further.

After a moment of consideration, he said, "Ian, go to VIP Room 0 and see if they’re willing to meet. If not, just convey our gratitude."

"Yes, Sir."

Just as Ian Lynch got to his feet, there was a knock on the door of their room, VIP Room 3.

"This is..." Ian Lynch’s hand instinctively moved toward his lower back as he looked to Leo Grant for direction.

The staff would never knock unbidden.

Even when delivering the purchased item moments ago, they had first called on the room’s intercom and only entered after getting approval.

The person outside had apparently anticipated this, because a second later, the intercom buzzed.

A glimmer flickered in Leo Grant’s eyes. He gestured toward the intercom with his chin. "Answer it."

Nolan Crawford pressed the talk button, and a man’s voice came through the speaker.

"Esteemed guests, my Master would like to invite you to her private suite for a conversation."

Nolan Crawford glanced instinctively at Leo Grant before asking tentatively into the intercom, "And is your Master the owner of this underground auction house?"

"That is correct. In VIP Room 0. If you are willing, I am waiting outside your door right now."

He paused, then added, "Please rest assured, we have no ill intentions."

"Bro, what’s the call?" Nolan Crawford mouthed silently.

Leo Grant gave a slight nod.

Taking his cue, Nolan replied, "Alright, one moment."

Having received an affirmative answer, the man on the other end said nothing more and simply cut the connection.

"Damn, he just hung up?! Didn’t even say goodbye, how rude!" Nolan Crawford grumbled.

*Colin: Unfair! I only know how to kill people, not how to make small talk!*

Leo Grant raised an eyebrow with great interest and stood up. "Let’s go. Weren’t you just saying we should go greet them? Now’s our chance. We can meet this mastermind in person."

’He was growing more and more curious. ’Does this person know me? Who could it be?’’

At his words, Ian Lynch stepped forward and opened the door, revealing a burly man standing outside.

Ian Lynch’s eyes narrowed as he discreetly sized the man up.

’This guy is a trained fighter, and a damn good one. And the reek of blood on him is intense.’

’In a bare-knuckle fight, even Warren Lynch might not come out on top against him.’

The burly man—Colin—seemed not to notice, standing his ground and calmly allowing himself to be scrutinized.

*Colin: I’ll take the compliment about my fighting skills, but the smell of blood is from the Leogryph’s dinner. I’m not taking the fall for that, thanks.*

Ian Lynch stepped out first, positioning himself protectively between Leo Grant and Colin.

Colin’s gaze swept over the three men before him, finally landing on Leo Grant. He gave a slight nod. "This way, please."

With that, he turned and began to lead the way.

A flicker of amusement crossed Leo Grant’s eyes. ’So trusting, to turn his back on strangers he’s only just met?’