Chapter 532
Alex’s foot snapped forward in a brutal arc and slammed into Kaltmann’s chest.
The old man was launched backward. Blood sprayed from his mouth as his body crashed across the floor.
“How dare you,” Alex said coldly, stepping forward, “as an advisor, criticize a decision made by Miss Silberkreuz p>
He stared down at Kaltmann like a judge passing sentence.
“Who do you think you are?” Alex continued. “You think you can control your own boss p>
“This kick was sent by Miss Silberkreuz,” he said. “To remind you of your place. And to make sure you never mislead her again p>
Kaltmann wiped the blood from his lips and glared at Alex Saint-Claire with hatred burning in his eyes.
Leonora was hesitating. She hadn’t made a bid yet. And it was because of Alex. Kaltmann’s voice was rough and strained, scraping out of his throat.
“You’re the one who lied to Miss Silberkreuz,” he snarled. “You’re the reason she lost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity p>
Alex laughed—a short, sharp sound full of contempt.
“What kind of shitty opportunity are you talking about?” he snapped. “That thing is nothing but a money pit. A guaranteed loss. Anyone who buys it is throwing cash into a grave p>
Kaltmann clenched his teeth and forced himself upright, his legs trembling. He straightened his robe, struggling to regain his authority.
“Well then,” he said, forcing a smile, “since Mr. Saint-Claire claims this book is useless, I’d like to hear how he reached that conclusion p>
He spread his hands toward Alex.
“Go on,” Kaltmann shouted. “Show us what you’ve got. Don’t tell me all you’re good
at is beating people who don’t agree with you, you bastard p>
Inside, he was confident.
If Alex tried to bluff-if he hesitated even once-Leonora would see through him. The moment that happened, she would bid without hesitation.
Around them, the crowd began to murmur.
“He’s just a useless brat,” someone scoffed. “What could he possibly know p>
“Yeah,” another voice sneered. “Who gave him the right to talk big p>
“If you’re not serious,” someone shouted impatiently, “stop wasting everyone’s time p>
Insults rained down from every direction.
Alex didn’t react.
He simply looked at Kaltmann, his eyes calm, almost amused.
“Are you sure,” Alex asked slowly, “that you want me to explain p>
“Of course!” Kaltmann laughed. “Speak freely. I’d love to see how con artists like you twist the truth p>
Alex shrugged, casual and relaxed.
“I wasn’t planning to expose anyone today,” he said. “But since you’re insisting… it would be rude of me to stay quiet p>
“Expose?” Leon Zhao said, finally speaking.
“So you’re saying,” he said evenly, “that all of us missed something p>
Alex Saint-Claire glanced at him and laughed softly, the sound sharp and cutting.
“Out of everyone here,” he said calmly, “you’re the dumbest one p>
Leon’s face twisted with rage. He shot to his feet, eyes blazing.
“Are you looking to die, you little bastard p>
Alex didn’t flinch.
“The book is real,” he said evenly. “Don’t get that twisted. But it’s royal family cultivation p>
The room stilled.
“That means only people with royal blood can cultivate it,” Alex continued. “Not just anyone from Xia—royal Xia blood. A bloodline that’s guarded tighter than a throne.” His gaze swept across the room, cold and dismissive.
“I don’t see a single person here with that blood. Especially not any Prussian p>
Kaltmann’s face darkened. “Bullshit,” he snarled. “Cultivation manuals can be learned by anyone p>
Alex sneered. “Then explain this p>
He turned his eyes to the red-haired owner.
“Why did the owner of this book never learn it,” Alex asked slowly, “even though he’s had it for decades p>
The red-haired man panicked and shouted, “I—I don’t have the aptitude for cultivation! That’s why I’m selling it! I hoped someone else could learn it p>
Alex burst out laughing.
“I’ll bet you this,” he said sharply. “By the third or fourth page, there’s a warning. It says the cultivation is useless outside the royal family p>
The red-haired man froze. His face drained of color.
“There-there’s no page like that,” he stammered.
Alex’s smile vanished. His eyes turned icy.
“Then that means you tore it out p>
The red-haired man exploded. “You filthy brat! How dare you spread such disgusting lies p>
He slammed his hand on the table and stood up.
Before anyone else could speak, Maximilian’s expression turned grim. His gaze locked onto the red-haired man like a blade.
“Then let’s settle this properly,” Maximilian said coldly. “Open page three and page four p>
The red-haired man began sweating uncontrollably.
“O-open the pages?” he stuttered. “Didn’t I already say this book cannot be opened unless someone intends to buy it? This brat is clearly lying! Why are you all falling for his nonsense p>
The room was silent.
Then Leonora stood.
“I want you to open page three and page four,” she said firmly. “If there is nothing there—nothing matching what Alex said—I will buy this book for five hundred million p>
Her eyes were locked on the red-haired man.
Unblinking.
Unyielding.
“Opening three or four pages out of a hundred isn’t an issue, is it?” Maximilian said. “Plenty of books are sold with sections left unread. Buyers understand that p>
His gaze sharpened, turning cold.
“But if he’s right,” Maximilian continued, “then you’re selling us a worthless book. And in that case, you owe everyone here a very clear explanation p>
The red-haired man was unraveling.
Cold sweat streamed down his forehead. His hands trembled. The two noble families in front of him weren’t people you offended and walked away from.
He never should have agreed to this.
He had only taken the risk because Kaltmann and Anton promised him an easy win.
Leonora Silberkreuz would attend. Kaltmann would guide her hand. Anton would drive up the price to lure her in. And she would buy the book.
A useless piece of trash, sold for an insane price.
Easy money.
They would split the money.
Clean. Quiet. Perfect.
But Alex ruined everything.
Kaltmann and Anton had sworn they’d already killed this new appraiser. Who could
have imagined he was still alive-standing here-ripping the scheme apart piece by
piece?
Seeing the red-haired man frozen in silence, Alex smirked.
Alex had never studied royal Xia cultivation manuals himself. But during his years ruling the underworld, surrounded by smugglers, refugees, and illegal immigrants froma, he’d fean enough.
One truth above all others.
Royal family cultivation was bound by blood.
Without that bloodline, the cultivation was worthless.
“Well?” Alex said lightly. “What’s wrong? Feeling guilty? Why aren’t you defending yourself p>
The red-haired man’s face turned ghostly white.
“I—if you don’t want to buy the book, then don’t,” he stammered. “No one is forcing
you. I won’t open it. Opening it will destroy its value p>
His voice broke.
He snatched the box, slammed the lid shut, and hugged it to his chest like a lifeline.
“I’m ending this here,” he shouted. “This book is not for sale p>
Maximilian finally lost his patience.
“You think you can walk away just by canceling the sale?” he roared. “Let me make something very clear to you—this is Winchester. And tonight, I am the host p>
He stepped forward, eyes burning.
“It’s my responsibility to ensure that everything sold here is authentic. Do you have any idea who you’re standing in front of? he snapped, “Everyone in this room holds power. Rear power. The kind that can make your life a living nightmare.
His tone dropped, slow and lethal.
“They could have you dumped in a ditch and forgotten by morning-no questions asked. So I strongly advise you to tell us the truth. Right how. Because if you don’t you won’t even be able to save yourself p>
Leonora stood beside him, her expression cold and unyielding.
“The Silberkreuz family has always been fair,” she said evenly. “And respected.” “But if anyone believes they can scam us, we will teach them exactly what that mistake costs. If we let you walk away, our reputation would be destroyed p>
Her words landed like a verdict.
The red-haired man felt his legs go weak.
Everyone knew the Silberkreuz name carried terrifying influence in Winchester. If
Leonora von Silberkreuz truly turned against him, he wouldn’t leave this city alive. Panic seized him.
He spun toward Anton and Kaltmann, desperation pouring out of him.
“Anton! Kaltmann!” he shouted. “Help me! This isn’t what we agreed on!” Anton’s expression twisted instantly.
“I don’t know you!” he yelled. “Don’t you dare spit nonsense and drag me into this!” Kaltmann rushed forward as well, his face warped with rage.
“You bastard!” he snarled. “What are you saying? Scamming the Silberkreuz family
and trying to pin it on me?! I’ll kill you p>
In one smooth, practiced motion, Kaltmann pulled a gun from his pocket.
The red-haired man didn’t retreat. He stood his ground and glared straight at him,
eyes burning with rage.
“Fuck you!” he screamed. “You’re going to shoot me now, you backstabbing bastard p>
The words spilled out of him in a wild, desperate rush.
“You were the one who said Miss Silberkreuz trusted your appraisal completely! You
said this piece of shit would sell the moment you approved it p>
He suddenly hurled the box across the floor. It skidded and slammed to a stop at
Alex’s feet.
Then he turned to the room, voice cracking, hands shaking.
“Everyone—I admit it!” he shouted. “This useless book belongs to Anton! I’m just a
paid front, pretending to own it so it could be sold p>
“They told me it would be easy!” he screamed. “They said Kaltmann has pulled this
kind of scam on Miss Leonora many times already p>
The room erupted in chaos.
Kaltmann’s face contorted with murderous rage.
“How dare you lie to us p>
A gunshot tore through the hall.