The Ex-Con Who Conquered the World novel Chapter 124

"Shut up, you useless idiot!"

Bjorn's voice was ice-cold as he backhanded Alexander, sending him flying.

Then he walked straight up to Nina. "My apologies. You rarely attend auctions like this, and yet this happens. It's my fault—I didn't keep my people in line, and they ended up offending you."

Nina glanced at Stefan as she spoke, "You're too kind. This has nothing to do with you. I'm fine, honestly. But Stefan here was treated unfairly for no reason, and that's what really gets to me."

Bjorn turned to look at Stefan, his eyes sharpening with sudden recognition. His expression shifted to one of excitement. "Could this be..."

Nina nodded.

Bjorn drew a deep breath, dropped his cigar on the floor, and strode over to Stefan. He extended both hands in a gesture of respect. "Bjorn Locke of the Locke family. An honor to meet you, Grandmaster Bryant."

The entire room froze.

Everyone's jaw dropped. They stared at Bjorn, then at Stefan, utterly unable to process what they were seeing.

Wasn't Stefan just some ex-con?

Why would Bjorn show him such respect?

Who the hell was he?

"Stefan." Stefan shook hands with Bjorn, his tone calm and composed.

Inside, though, he was a little puzzled. Why is Bjorn calling me "Grandmaster Bryant"? I'm only in my twenties—I'm still young.

But people kept calling him those titles. Anyone who overheard would think he was some old man in his sixties or seventies.

Bjorn spoke with reverence, "Please wait a moment, Grandmaster Bryant. I'll make sure today's matter is properly settled."

With that, he turned and signaled to one of his black-suited bodyguards.

The hulking lead bodyguard strode over, radiating the same fierce battlefield aura. He dragged Alexander, who was still cowering on the floor too terrified to stand, back to Bjorn.

By now, the crowd was slowly snapping out of their shock.

They'd realized that Nina must come from somewhere important. Bjorn's attitude toward her made that obvious.

They all wondered about Stefan's identity and why Bjorn treated him with such respect. Was it because of Nina?

Marcus' heart lurched. He forced a smile. "M-Mr. Locke..."

Bjorn ignored him completely and looked at Nina instead. "Nina, this man was extremely disrespectful to you. How do you want to handle it? Just say the word."

"Janet already taught him a lesson. I can't be bothered with someone like him. As long as he keeps his mouth shut around me from now on, that's enough." Nina's tone was dismissive.

Bjorn nodded, then turned back to Marcus, his gaze piercing. "You got lucky today. I won't pursue this further. But you go back and tell your grandfather—the Locke family's goodwill toward the Winters ends here."

Marcus looked like he'd been struck by lightning. His face paled, panic flooding his eyes. His lips parted as if to speak, but under the crushing weight of Bjorn's presence, no words came out.

Zoey's face burned. She kept her head down, not daring to breathe too loudly.

The onlookers exchanged shocked glances.

Bjorn's words carried serious weight. He was essentially cutting ties with the Winter family.

And all because of Nina.

Everyone's eyes flickered toward her, trying to figure out who she really was.