For Zack Alfredson, this was a moment of choosing sides, and he had already decided to stand with Kayden. Even if it meant opposing Asher Voss, Zack understood that kindness must be repaid with loyalty.
“The Alfredson family!” Cyrus Nightbane sneered. “The Alfredson family is on the brink of annihilation!”
At that moment, Cyrus stood like a martial arts master at the peak of his power, a man who could command the heavens with a wave of his hand-someone who could destroy an entire family with a single word. This confidence was rooted in the authority granted to him by Asher Voss.
Kayden remained silent, glancing at the timer on his phone. Then, in a calm voice, he said, “Thirty seconds.”
“Enough of your theatrics! No one is as foolish as the Alfredson family,” Cyrus declared with absolute arrogance.
“Ten seconds,” Kayden said, his voice devoid of emotion.
No one moved. No one came forward. Finally, Kayden shut his phone and, with ice in his tone, announced, “It’s too late now. Even if you wanted to come over, you couldn’t. Everyone who points a blade at me will die. This place will become a living hell.”
In that moment, it was as if the one being threatened wasn’t Kayden but Cyrus himself. Even in the face of thousands of cultivators, Kayden remained composed and confident. His calm demeanor only fueled others’ anger.
“That guy is absurdly arrogant! He’s already lost his position as commander, yet he still acts so high and mighty.”
“He’s facing thousands of cultivators. Does he seriously think he can take us all on by himself?”
“Maybe it’s just his ego. He’s used to commanding on the battlefield and can’t let go of his pride. But this pride is childish.”
“Damn it! He’s so arrogant I can’t stand him. He acts like he’s the best in the world. I don’t even feel sorry for him.”
“Today, he’s as good as dead!”
The crowd was unified in their hatred for Kayden. Everyone wanted him dead.
Cyrus, too, was filled with disdain as he looked at Kayden’s unshakable confidence. With a wave of his hand, he shouted, “Kill him!”
At his command, thousands of cultivators surged forward like a tidal wave, shouting as they advanced on Kayden.
Kayden closed his eyes. The metallic scent of blood already filled the air. The auction hall of the Rocco family reeked of impending slaughter. A broken blade appeared in his hand, and a chilling killing intent radiated from him, freezing the atmosphere.
“Stop!” A woman’s voice suddenly rang out, cutting through the chaos like a blade. The sound silenced the room instantly. The hall fell into an eerie stillness.
A stunning woman in a black evening gown appeared, flanked by several attendants. Her strides were graceful, her face calm, and she carried herself like a black rose in full bloom, commanding attention and respect with her presence.
The woman was none other than Mrs. Rocco, the president of the Rocco family.
“President!” Liam Rocco called out, rushing to her side. “That lunatic Cyrus Nightbane attacked me just now,” he said, showing her the bloodstains on his chest.
Mrs. Rocco cast a glance at the wound but said nothing. She continued walking toward Cyrus Nightbane with measured steps.
As the president, Mrs. Rocco held authority over all matters of the Rocco family. Though Liam was the host of the auction, she was the one ultimately in charge. Her status within the family was unparalleled, and any decision she made was final. Not even the family head would question her judgment.
“Mrs. Rocco,” Cyrus greeted her with a slight bow, acknowledging her considerable influence.
But Mrs. Rocco dismissed him with a glance, walking past him as though he didn’t exist. She stopped next to Kayden, her expression softening as she asked with concern, “Are you all right, Mr. Scott?”
Kayden hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. “I’m fine.”
“Don’t worry, Mr. Scott. As long as I’m here, no one will harm you-not even a scratch.”
Their brief exchange revealed an unusual closeness between them. Wood Faulkner, standing nearby, frowned, wanting to remind her that this wasn’t her concern, but he held his tongue.
In truth, Kayden was never in danger. Mrs. Rocco’s intervention spared the lives of the cultivators present. If Kayden had acted, they would have all been slaughtered in an instant. A mere few thousand cultivators were no match for him.
Mrs. Rocco turned to Cyrus, her gaze icy. “If anyone dares to harm Mr. Scott today, they will be making an enemy of the Rocco family.”
Cyrus’s face twitched at her words. He scoffed. “Mrs. Rocco, what are you saying? Is this man more important to you than your relationship with Lord Asher Voss? Surely the Rocco family wouldn’t risk going against him for the sake of someone who’s already been stripped of his power.”
“Cyrus Nightbane,” Mrs. Rocco said with a faint smile, “you keep bringing up Asher Voss, as if his name alone could scare me. Do you think I’m afraid of him?”
Her voice was calm but carried an unyielding strength, each word striking like a hammer.
Cyrus let out a mocking laugh. “So, you’re willing to go against Lord Asher Voss for this man?”
“Go against him? It seems to me that you’re the one showing disrespect to the Rocco family. You know the rules. No killing is allowed at my auction. Or do you think so little of me?” Her tone was firm, her stance unwavering.
Cyrus smirked but said nothing. Before he could respond, Mrs. Rocco continued, “Putting aside the fact that Mr. Scott just spent billions of dollars here, he saved my life. Do you think I’d allow anyone to harm the man who saved me?”
Kayden had once saved Mrs. Rocco on a train. Her gratitude was genuine.
“Let me be clear-it’s not me who’s making this a confrontation. It’s you who are disrespecting the Rocco family.” Her voice rose, resolute and commanding, as if daring Cyrus to challenge her authority.
Cyrus’s face darkened further. He swallowed his anger, his jaw clenched. “I’m just following orders. No matter who intervenes, I will kill this man today. If you have a problem with that, take it up with Lord Asher Voss.”
Mrs. Rocco locked eyes with him, her gaze unflinching. “Then let me make myself clear: anyone who harms Mr. Scott will be an enemy of the Rocco family. And I assure you, the consequences of that are not something anyone would want to face.”