Gregory's face was a mask of rage, his two most hated were present and it was killing him inside.

As such he had no patience for anyone antics or to wonder why anyone of them would do anything. He was here to win and win he would.

Gregory's bid was as though an opening of Flood gates and all began to bid...

"26 million"

"27 million"

"30 million"

Meanwhile, Ford was trying to have a conversation with Emily by posing the question that was most bothering him at that point

"Do you think he's really here to bid?" His eyes glued on Hal whose shoulders were being massaged by the Dark eyed lady he could not recognize

"He might be. What does it have to do with you?" Emily asked quietly

"Well, it's suicide, is it not? And see the company he keeps" Ford said with a nod in Camilla and Irina's direction

Emily looked sideways suddenly and locked eyes with him, then smiled widely

"Oh, what's wrong with 'those people'?" She asked

Looking at that smile of hers, Ford felt chilly all of a sudden

"N-n-nothing, I-I-I-I meant... Y-you know..." He choked trying to get his words but he was soon interrupted by Emily's 'lighthearted' giggle

"I was just kidding" she said

'That was no joke' Ford yelled in his mind

"Oh, of course you were" was what he actually said

Why she would react like that (for he was convinced she had been serious) he did not know, however he was more than aware that it was much better for him to let it go.

"Aren't you going to bid?" She suddenly asked as the bid continued to increase while the people who bidded simultaneously reduced.

"I will, but not yet. The bidders are too many right now. let them thin out a little more." Ford said and turned his attention back towards the center stage where Marlon stood with the deeds in hand

"36 million going once... Twice..." He said

"40 million" called San while gritting his teeth. He glanced sideways at Gregory who despite still looking angry remained calm and was obviously still able to bid higher and sure enough...

"43 million" Gregory called out

...before Marlon could speak.

"45 million" San called out soon after

"47 million" Gregory said with his eyes lightly closed

"Damn you, Gregory Payne" San mumbled

To be honest, none of the other Great families made San worried like the Paynes. They controlled a large amount of wealth in Salmon city thanks to their mines.

The only family that was wealthier were the Edgars and it was only because they had ruled the city for centuries, Allowing them to hold on to the top spot like Grim death. However it was not likely they would bid.

That Gregory was against them was not boding well in the slightest for their cause.

However they still had an ace that the Greats had no idea about and should they lose this auction, -which, truth be told was very likely- they would gain it all back once they completely overturn the rule of the Greats.

With this thought in mind, San calmed down and with a controlled tone of voice and emotion, he called his next and final bid, laying it all out on the table.

So to speak.

"55 million"

The bid drew gasps from the spectating crowd, this was a lot of gold and despite all of their former bids, no one expected the Plebeians had amassed such large wealth.

Gregory sneered "It turns out you've hiding the depth of your resources. 60 million"

Following Gregory's bid, all eyes turned towards the Plebeians but they looked resigned and bid no more. They were at their limit. Their amalgamate of resources was still lacking against the Greats.

Gregory snorted, his rage lessening slightly as his pride swelled.

"62 million" Called a slick voice and all eyes turned towards this new bidder.

Edvard Krast had decided to join the bidding game.

"65 million" Ford Horst placed a bid of his own.

'Now things are getting interesting' Hal thought as he watched all three of the Great families now begin to bid against each other.

He was not the only one who thought so. The entire crowd watched with anticipation.

The only Great family not involved in the bid at the moment was the Edgar's and no one was truly expecting them to bid.

Not because they were poor.

It was because their territory was the largest and regardless of who won, their territory would still remain the largest.

They were right. Hector Edgar had no interest in participating in the auction.

The way he saw it, this was a win-win situation, let them battle it out and keep upping the price. Once the proceeds were shared, he would receive the biggest percentage.

He was convinced that at the end of the day. his family would have completely surpassed all others in wealth and power.

The second only lasting for his lifetime.

"70 million" Said Krast

"74 million" said Horst

"80 million" said Payne

"Husband, did we not come here to bid?" Irina suddenly asked Hal whose eyes were closed as Marla continued to massage his shoulder muscles

"We did" Hal answered shortly but Irina remained confused

"So... Why aren't you bidding?" She asked

"If they keep upping the price, it could spell trouble. They are already past what Pleasure inn has" Camilla chimed in

Hal opened one eye, and directed a question at all four of them

"Are you worried?"

Camilla and Irina nodded while Marla and Rita shrugged

"Well, even if I bid, it won't stop them from upping the price and besides bidding is only the second reason we're here"

"Oh? What's the first?" Rita asked

For the Auction, she was confident he knew what he was doing, but what was this about another reason for being here...

"Reconnaissance. I need to know just how rich this families are. It's like when searching for a relic, you need proper information on every thing that surrounds it before going after it.

"Trust me girls, Reconnaissance is sometimes the one thing that makes a plan whole."

Hal was already aware of the large amount of wealth the Confluence held. He also knew that they won't use or spend it for their expenses, this auction included.

After the Confluence, He planned to eventually go after their coffers and he needed to know;

If it was worth it and

Just how much he stood to gain from snatching it.

While Hal conversed with the gals, the bid was now at 90 million and both Ford and Krast seemed at their limit

Gregory's face was radiating with his pride and joy. Surely no one could bid higher than that alas...

"100 million Gold coins"

... Hal's bid turned his face black.

Trembling with anger "101 million" Gregory bidded again.

"105 million" Hal bid again

At this point. Gregory was no longer interested in winning. Bidding any higher for that Estate was nothing short of financial suicide, but he could not just take the loss just like that so he decided to gamble...

"110 million" he called out in a Clear voice.

"120 million" Hal bid unconcerned

Everyone looked towards Gregory Payne but he was smiling widely

"Hahahaha. You idiot. I knew you would bid higher. I'm sure you got that gold from Pleasure inn's whores and that bitch Melinda Dane. And you go ahead and spend it all. Hahaha, You fool."

Emily frowned slightly and Ford's eyes were wide

"Impossible" he mumbled

Whether or not, Hal had spent all he had, he had still been wealthier than the Horst patriarch before he did and that was enough to send him into shock.

Gregory's laughter continued to boom, but to his disappointment -once he started to calm down-, he saw Hal smiling

"Are you done? Did I win?" Hal asked

Marlon started "120 million going Once... Twice.. Thrice..."

*Bang*

"...Sold to Hal Payne"

...

The Hall soon emptied out and the main topic of discussion was Hal Payne's bid and his father's surprised expression at his calm.

At the back of the Hall where the Deed would be exchanged for Gold,

Hal had just handed Marlon a spatial pouch containing the 60 million he had, when Gregory stormed in and demanded to examine the pouch.

Marlon handed him a pouch and upon inspection he found 120 million Gold coins. No more no less. And he left, disgruntled.

Of course Marlon had prepared a pouch containing that amount before Gregory's abrupt arrival.

'Master, this is unfair' he lamented to Hal through their mind link

'Shut up. Don't pester me and you might get it back'

'Really? Oh master, thank you'

Hal ignored him.

Once the transaction was 'complete', Marlon left to find his brother and Hal was already leaving to meet up with the Rita and the others in the Hall before they would go their separate ways when he found himself face to face with Alexander Edgar...

"Hal Payne, I need to speak with you" He said