CHAPTER 111: SHATTERED!!

The hall froze in a stunned silence after Miles’ bid.

"Ten... thousand dollars," Miles repeated, his voice calm but cutting through the auditorium like a blade.

For a moment no one moved, no one breathed. Then the chaos began.

"Did he just say ten thousand?" "He must be joking—five million on the table and he drops ten thousand?" "Is this some kind of mockery?" "Sterling Enterprises’ chairman, playing games at an auction?" "Or... does he know something we don’t?"

Laughter began to ripple in scattered corners of the room. Some bidders from the screens were chuckling openly, shaking their heads. Antonio VK’s smug expression cracked; his jaw tightened as he leaned forward in disbelief. Silvey Sterling narrowed her eyes, mumbling under her breath, "What are you trying to do, Miles?"

The host cleared his throat, struggling to hold back his own unease. "Mr. Sterling... I’m sorry, but did I mishear you? Did you mean ten million?"

Miles finally stood from his seat in the private balcony, his laughter low and deliberate. "Ten million? Are you crazy? Who in their right mind would pay ten million for a diamond that isn’t even real?"

The hall erupted instantly.

"What?" "Not real?" "Did he just call it fake?" "Impossible—this is the Heart of the Frost Queen!" "Is he trying to sabotage the auction?"

The atmosphere was electric, whispers flying like sparks through dry grass. Every pair of eyes fixed on the man now walking down calmly from his balcony seat, descending toward the stage as if the entire room were merely a stage for his performance.

April, still in shock, whispered to herself, "Miles... what are you doing..."

The host’s face grew tight, his tone colder now, each word sharp. "Mr. Sterling, are you accusing us of cheating? This house has stood for decades, our reputation uncontested in the global market. Watch your words, young man."

Miles smirked faintly, his eyes glinting. "Is that so? Then what if I prove this diamond is fake? What do I get?"

The tension cracked as the owner of the auction house himself stood from the front row, his voice booming across the hall. "If you can prove it is fake, I will pay you five million personally—and I will apologize to every guest present here tonight."

Gasps. Whispers. The tension thickened like smoke.

"And if it is real?" the owner’s tone sharpened further, his finger pointed like a dagger. "Then you, Mr. Sterling, will owe me ten million dollars for daring to question the honor of this house in front of the world."

The crowd roared with chatter.

"Did he just accept a duel of reputation?" "Five million if he’s right, but ten million if he’s wrong—" "Is Sterling insane?" "Or is this why Sterling Enterprises keeps surprising the world?"

Silvey’s lips curved into the faintest smile, her eyes never leaving Miles. "So you’re gambling your pride..." she whispered.

Antonio VK scowled, muttering, "This brat..."

Miles reached the stage with an almost leisurely pace, the whispers swelling behind him like a tide. He stepped under the blinding lights, every gaze in the auditorium pinned to him. His smirk deepened as he turned toward the owner, eyes steady and voice unwavering.

"Well then," Miles said smoothly, his tone casual yet carrying the weight of thunder. "That’s a deal."

The hall erupted into a storm of whispers, gasps, and disbelief.

Miles’ voice carried easily across the auditorium."May I?"

The auction house owner’s lips pressed thin but he gave a stiff nod.

Miles reached forward and carefully lifted the Heart of the Frost Queen from its velvet pedestal. The jewel gleamed under the hot stage lights, scattering fragments of brilliance across the ceiling and walls. The audience leaned forward in anticipation, breaths shallow, waiting.

He held it up between his fingers, turning it lazily. "Is there anyone here who knows the hardness of a diamond?" His gaze swept the room, then he turned deliberately toward the balcony where Antonio VK sat. "Why don’t we ask the mining lord himself?"

Antonio VK had been leaning back arrogantly the entire evening, but the moment he saw Miles’ face clearly under the lights—his body stiffened. His pupils contracted, his breath hitched. The glass of wine in his hand trembled violently, crimson liquid spilling across his cuff.

"The... Ghost," he muttered under his breath, so low only those nearest to him could hear. "The Ghost of the Graveyard... what is he doing here?"

The ladies seated with him leaned closer, alarmed. "What happened, Mr. Antonio? Are you alright?"

But VK’s face was pale, his mask of power cracking. He gripped the railing of his balcony, sweat forming at his temple, eyes fixed on Miles as if staring into the face of death itself.

Miles smiled faintly, his words cutting through the silence like a knife. "So, Mr. VK, tell us again... what is the hardness of a diamond?"

VK’s throat bobbed. His voice shook, but instinct and pride forced the answer from him. "On the Mohs scale... it’s the hardest natural material. A diamond can... cut through steel. No pressure of a human could damage it."

Miles tilted his head slightly, holding the gem higher. "Good. Everyone heard that, didn’t they?"

He lowered his hand, palm open with the glittering jewel resting in the center. Then, deliberately, he curled his fingers into a fist. His knuckles whitened as he pressed.

The sound came sharp—an unnatural crack. Then a series of tiny snaps.

When Miles opened his palm, shards glittered like broken glass, spilling across the polished stage floor. The once-celebrated Heart of the Frost Queen lay in ruin, crushed to worthless fragments.

For a heartbeat the auditorium was drowned in silence.

Then chaos.

"It... it broke?" "Impossible, diamonds can’t be crushed like that!" "Then it really was fake—he was right!" "Five million dollars... gone in dust!" "Was the auction house trying to cheat us all?"

The auction house owner’s face drained of color, his body frozen in shock. He stared at the fragments as if his entire reputation had shattered alongside them.

Every camera in the hall turned toward the stage, flashing wildly. People in the crowd whispered furiously . Virtual screens from around the world flickered as audiences gasped and cursed in disbelief.

And Miles stood calmly at the center of it all, brushing the shards off his palm with casual ease, as if nothing more than a cheap trinket had just been destroyed.

The auction hall was trembling with whispers and gasps, but Miles’ voice cut through the noise with surgical precision.

The owner’s lips quivered. "This... this is impossible. It cannot be faked..."

Miles smiled, calm and sharp, the kind of smile that made everyone in the room feel he already knew ten steps ahead. "You must be swimming in doubts. Allow me to clear them for you."

He let the broken shards of the so-called diamond slide from his hand to the velvet cloth, like the remains of a lie. Then he raised his gaze to the crowd.

"The truth is simple. The real Heart of the Frost Queen never came to Star Harbor at all."

The audience erupted. "What—?" "Never came here?" "Then what have we been bidding on?"

Even Silvey, composed as ever in her balcony, leaned forward with sudden interest. Her eyes narrowed, studying Miles intently.

Miles continued, every word deliberate."A month ago, there was a robbery at the Brightvale City Museum. That robbery was never revealed to the public. The real diamond was stolen. And instead of admitting the security breach to the central government, someone within Brightvale covered it up. They replaced the original with a fake. That fake... is what you all just saw."

The whispers turned frantic. "No wonder they brought it here—" "Covering their own negligence—" "This is bigger than just an auction—"

Miles paced slowly across the stage, his tone steady, cold. "Why do you think the Brightvale government suddenly decided to auction off what was supposed to be one of their greatest treasures? Because someone up there already knew it was worthless."

The auction owner’s breathing grew heavier, sweat gathering on his brow as the puzzle pieces fell into place.

"And why," Miles added, his voice dropping lower, "do you think they didn’t hold the auction in Brightvale itself? Instead, they transported it here, to Star Harbor.

Last night, there was already an attempted robbery in this very building. Convenient, isn’t it?"

The hall grew quiet again, silence cutting deep. Miles’ gaze fixed on the owner."Tell me, Mr. Owner... am I wrong?"

The man’s face was pale, lips twitching. He looked cornered, exposed. And finally, with a defeated nod, he admitted, "You... you’re right..."

Gasps echoed again. The guests muttered in outrage. "So this was all staged—" "They would have blamed Star Harbor if it got stolen—" "What a scandal—"

Miles’ smirk returned. "They planned the robbery here. If the diamond were stolen, no one would ever know it was fake. And if the theft happened in a different city, Brightvale’s officials would never be held responsible. A clever plan indeed." He let the words hang in the air, heavy and condemning. "But unfortunately for them, the robbery failed."

He paused, his eyes glinting, then turned toward the doors."Mr. Owner... do you want to see one more surprise?"

The audience craned their necks, holding their breath.

Miles’ voice carried loud and clear. "Officer Jemma?"

The doors of the auction hall swung open. Uniformed police officers stepped inside, boots heavy against the floor. At their center, handcuffed and shoved forward, was a man with his face bruised and rage boiling in his eyes.

The hall erupted again. Guests stood from their seats. Silvey’s lips curved faintly, her eyes sharper than ever.

Miles pointed casually at the detained man. "Here’s the one who led last night’s robbery attempt. And tonight, you were all about to be fooled again."

The lights seemed to burn brighter as all eyes locked on Miles Sterling.

The auction hall was still buzzing with whispers when Miles’ voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"Mr. Owner, are you surprised to see your little brother?"

The entire room shifted its gaze. The auction owner froze, his eyes landing on the man in cuffs. His face turned cold, sharp with betrayal. "Explain yourself."

The younger brother stammered, voice trembling. "I... I got paid... by someone from Brightvale. They told me to plan this... to cover everything up..."

Before he could finish, the owner’s rage burst. He kicked his brother to the ground, fury pouring out. "You fool! You ruined our reputation here! You’ve disgraced us in front of the world!"

But before the shame could settle, Jemma stepped forward. Her voice was firm, steady, carrying across the auditorium. "The reputation is still here, Mr. Owner. Let me share the good news."

All eyes turned to her.

"The real culprit is already in custody in Brightvale City. And the shocking truth is this—he was the mastermind behind the robbery at the museum one month ago."

Gasps spread through the crowd.

Jemma continued, her tone calm but commanding. "He orchestrated everything, waiting patiently, making sure the world’s eyes would be turned elsewhere. That is why this auction was chosen.

But now the real Heart of the Frost Queen is safe. Secured. And this," she held up a folded document, "is an official notice from the central government itself."

The words fell heavy, undeniable.

"The decision to auction the diamond still stands. It will happen, right here, in this very hall. After the court finishes its proceedings against the real culprit, the world will see the diamond again. Safely. Right here."

The owner’s chest rose and fell as he drew a deep breath, his pride trembling but intact. Finally, he bowed slightly. "Thank you for coming, everyone. I apologize for what happened today, but as Officer Jemma said, the auction will continue here once justice is served. For now..." He raised his hand solemnly. "The auction is ended."

Chairs scraped. People began to rise, still murmuring, still shaken. Some glared at the younger brother on the ground. Others whispered Miles’ name like a storm.

The owner turned, his expression heavy. "Mr. Sterling..."

Miles smirked faintly. "Don’t worry. I won’t take your ten million. But..." His eyes narrowed just enough to draw a chill. "You owe me one."

With that, he turned his head upward. His gaze locked on the VIP balcony where Antonio VK stood. Miles grinned, subtle but sharp.

VK’s body stiffened. His hand trembled around his cane. "Let’s move," he muttered to the women beside him. "No diamond is worth a life." His steps quickened as if the air itself pressed down on him.

Down below, April walked onto the stage, heels clicking softly against the wood. She moved beside Miles, her smile soft but proud.

As they left the hall, April looked at him curiously. "When did you find out?"

Miles’ lips curved into a sly grin. "Just before I was really about to bid ten million. A message from Monica came through."

"Monica?" April raised her brows.

"My cousin," Miles explained casually, opening the side door for her as they entered the parking lot. "And June’s mentor. She’s been helping me watch everything."

April smiled lightly, eyes bright. "I’d like to meet her someday."

"Maybe you will," Miles said, pulling the car door open for her.

April paused, her tone softer this time. "By the way... you were really cool today. But more than that, you saved Sterling’s reputation. If people had found out later that the diamond was fake, it would have been a disaster. Now..." she smiled, "you made it into a triumph."

Miles chuckled under his breath as they reached the car. He swung the driver’s side door open. But just as he was about to step in—

A voice rang out from behind them.

"Miles Sterling, please wait—!"

The words echoed across the dimly lit parking lot.

Miles turned his head slightly, the night air sharp around him.