The woman slightly tilted her head, revealing a dazzling white along her slender swan-like neck. Her long hair cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall, and she wore a slanted black veil hat that half-shielded her exquisite, beautiful face. Like a black rose blooming in the night, beautiful yet deadly. As soon as this stunning face entered Princess Astrid’s view, it immediately sparked a gleam of jealousy in her eyes. "Who are you?" Astrid’s voice deepened, her frowning expression carrying a hint of authority. Everyone standing nearby couldn’t help but fall silent. The woman’s red lips slightly parted, and she calmly uttered a phrase: "Ignorant people are not worthy of knowing my name." Rage kindled in Astrid’s eyes. If it weren’t for maintaining her ladylike image, she might have already lost her temper and slapped this insolent woman! "Do you know who I am? Do you think you’re worthy of defying me!?" "Princess Astrid of K Country, right?" The woman wiped her delicate fingers clean with a tissue, then stood up with her handbag and faced Princess Astrid. The bright eyes under the black veil stared directly at her. "May I ask if Princess Astrid knows how many years K Country’s history spans?" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝•𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝘯𝘦𝘵 Even daring to ask such a foolish question... Astrid inwardly scorned, raising her chin arrogantly, "More than three hundred years to date!" "Then does Princess Astrid know how many years Chinese medicine has existed to this day?" Before anyone could comprehend the significance of her question, the woman announced an astonishing number. "Five thousand years." The woman gave a faint smile. "Without knowing the full picture, one cannot comment. I hope Princess Astrid understands this and does not lose the royal family’s princess demeanor." After speaking, the woman nodded slightly and gracefully left the dining room. Watching the black silhouette fade away, Astrid’s face burned, her fingers clenched tightly around her skirt, her chest heaving. This woman dared to mock her... Astrid angrily turned to the manager beside her, "I want all of her information in two minutes!" The manager looked troubled, "Princess Astrid, every guest’s information is highly confidential, and cannot be accessed easily." "Princess, let it go," Astrid’s sidekick hurriedly advised, "That woman seems to be Lady Locke of the Black Rose. Didn’t you see the rose mark under her eye?" Insulting even the face of K Country’s royal princess—there’s no second woman brave enough to do that besides The Black Rose. Astrid’s expression changed, and she immediately shut her mouth. News of Lady Locke of the Black Rose being on the cruise spread quickly, except among those with wealthy backgrounds and the capital to fearlessly face her. The rest practically tucked their tails between their legs, fearful of accidentally offending this renowned and blood-stained poisonous rose. Until the second night’s auction, everyone saw the reemergence of The Black Rose. Alongside another figure that had been the talk of everyone over the past two days, Aquarelle Vaughn. Coincidentally, their seats were directly opposite each other, leading many to make comparisons between them. The Black Rose appeared beautiful but was actually cruel and ruthless, not to be underestimated. Doctor Aquarelle seemed delicate but was incredibly capable, welcomed as an honored guest by multiple countries. A venom and a flower, it’s difficult to determine who’s superior... Amid the hushed conversations, a malicious gaze locked onto the direction where Aquarelle was, like a venomous snake in the dark, ready to strike. Feeling something, Aquarelle slightly lifted her head but saw nothing amiss, so she withdrew her gaze. Soon, the auction began. The first treasure was sold for 130 million, followed closely by the second... After a good half an hour, an ancient book with a tattered cover and a strong aura of antiquity appeared on the auction stage. Compared to previous treasures like the Song Ru Yao Sky Blue Glaze, Ming Chenghua Doucai Chicken Cup, and Eye of the Divine Statue, this old book did not arouse much competitive bidding interest. The auctioneer struggled to explain it, and only a few scattered people bid, with low increments. "Ding." At seats number 8, belonging to The Black Rose, and number 18, belonging to Aquarelle, sounds were heard simultaneously. The previously unenthused crowd was suddenly startled into excitement. The Black Rose had sat here for so long without bidding on anything, they thought she was just here for fun. Unexpectedly, she was interested in an old book?? More intriguing was that the two women, who had been compared the entire night, were competing for the same item... "Bid five million from seat 8, is there any higher?" "Seat 18 bids six million! Six million, any higher bids!" The auctioneer’s enthusiastic voice echoed in the hall, making those who originally looked down on the old book doubt. If this book had nothing special, why would it simultaneously attract The Black Rose and Aquarelle’s bids? Yet, however they wondered, no one dared to recklessly compete with The Black Rose for it. Strangely, when Aquarelle’s bid reached nine million, The Black Rose ceased competing. But the book did not end up with Aquarelle either; it was instead taken by someone else looking to win The Black Rose’s favor, at a high price of 15 million. Ann Vaughn glanced distantly toward seat 8, pursed her lips, and then stood to leave. The person who won the rare medical book eagerly approached seat 8 and presented the book with both hands. "Mrs.Lowell, this is a small token of appreciation from me, please accept it." Sitting sideways on the seat, the woman picked a grape, slowly placing it in her mouth, though her fingertips were accidentally stained by the juice. The servant beside her immediately picked up a cloth and wiped her fingers clean, extremely attentive. "Hmm." The woman didn’t even spare a glance at the gift-giver, the rose mark under her eye making her appear even more alluring, "What do you want from me?" "How dare I ask for anything? As long as Mrs.You are happy, that’s the greatest reward for me!" The person flattered swiftly. "In that case, this item is now mine?" The person nodded profusely, their face full of flattery. The woman chuckled lightly, "What a pity, I really hate it when other people’s dirty hands touch my things." The lowered voice carried a hint of bloodlust, immediately turning that person’s complexion pale. Not long after, a piercing scream resounded in everyone’s ears. Everyone looked up to find it coming from seat 8, and instantly felt a chill run down their back, shivering involuntarily. Could The Black Rose have...murdered someone here?! For a moment, the entire auction hall plunged into a deathly silence. Meanwhile, outside the auction hall. Ann Vaughn, after leaving the hall, hurriedly made her way outside. Little did she know, as she reached a corner, she was suddenly dragged into the darkness by a pair of hands reaching out from the shadows! "I’ve been waiting for you to be alone, Ann Vaughn." A cold voice, akin to a snake coiling around the neck, rang out. Soon, there were no more sounds.