The Real Heiress Is Coming Back (Hannah Carter) novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

Chapter 67

“Bidder 508, 290 million! A winning bid against the Master!” The announcement echoed through the grand hall, instantly igniting a wave of astonished murmurs.

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The fact that the leader of the Scepter House had not only honored an unconventional wager but actually conceded defeat sent shockwaves through the crowd.

Speculations ran wild about what price the mysterious figure had submitted, wondering how the legendary Obsidian Pearl could be surrendered so readily.

Many attendees now regretted not bidding more aggressively themselves, realizing the organization would entertain such unconventional approaches.

“If you have no objections to the outcome, I’ll proceed with the payment,” Hannah stated, already turning to leave.

The swift departure after securing her prize perfectly encapsulated her reputation for decisive action.

“I don’t need three lives saved but three favors.” Barnaby’s voice stopped her retreat.

Hannah paused, turning back with a measured gaze that blended curiosity with caution.

Even his bodyguard seemed perplexed, questioning what possible requests could outweigh the value of lives saved.

“Nothing beyond your capabilities, I assure you,” Barnaby added, sensing her hesitation.

“Such as?” Her tone remained guarded.

“Start with your contact information,” he said.

The bodyguard nearly stumbled at the simplicity of the request, struggling to maintain his professional composure.

Barnaby extended his phone displaying his WhatsApp number, his eyes containing layers of unspoken meaning.

While most people would automatically have their primary account active, Hannah showed no concern as she calmly scanned the code and sent a test message. “And the second condition?”

“Keep this line open,” he replied, noting her deliberately blank profile containing only reposted medical papers, clearly a professional buffer account.

“The third?” she pressed.

Barnaby said, “That one, I’ll reserve for future consideration.”

Hannah studied him thoughtfully. He was leveraging two life-saving favors merely to establish communication, a clear indication of his intent to build a connection.

Though she couldn’t immediately discern what the leader of the Scepter House might want from a first encounter beyond her medical expertise, she recognized the strategic advantage of maintaining ties with such influential circles.

“Agreed,” she finally responded.

“Hey, you’re the one they call the Nameless Healer, right?” Barnaby’s voice cut through the silence just as Hannah turned to leave. “Mind telling me who the Obsidian Pearl’s meant for?”

He half-expected her to brush him off with one of her trademark icy remarks, something curt like, “Not your concern.”

But to his surprise, she paused, seeming almost agreeable today. “It’s for a friend,” she replied casually.

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Chapter 67

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“Must be someone special,” Barnaby remarked, his eyes narrowing with subtle amusement as he studied her.

“Suppose so.” Hannah shrugged, indifferent to his probing, and moved toward the door.

Just as she stepped out, his voice trailed after her, low and deliberate. “Remember, you still owe me a favor.”

No sooner had Hannah stepped out of the room than Candy stuck her tongue out at the bodyguard behind her and whisked Hannah away to the lounge.

“How did you even pull this off?” Candy buzzed with excitement, having heard the host announce how Hannah had snatched the Obsidian Pearl right from under the Scepter House Master’s nose.

“Blind bid,” Hannah replied.

Recalling the subtle shift in the Master’s demeanor and the three conditions he’d set, she added, “Seems the Obsidian Pearl wasn’t that important to him after all.”

“Seriously? The Scepter House Master just let it go that easily? You didn’t have to… offer any special favors, did you?” Candy eyed her with playful suspicion.

“Is that really what you think of me?” Hannah said flatly.

Candy tried to imagine Hannah using charm to get her way and decided it’d be easier for her to just eliminate the target outright.

“No, no, of course not!” She shook her head emphatically.

Then, with a dreamy sigh, she went on, “You know, if your dear uncle finds out what you did for him, risking the Scepter House’s seventh floor, outsmarting the Master, and blowing nearly 300 million in the process, he’d be so touched.

“He’d probably pledge his undying devotion to you!”

“Is that how men usually react?” Hannah mused, reminded of Barnaby’s shameless banter back at the hotel. It sounded. exactly like his style.

“If they’re into you, absolutely,” Candy affirmed.

“So when he pours his heart out, you should just say yes!” She leaned in with a mischievous grin, trying to catch a blush beneath Hannah’s mask.

“Don’t tell me you’re still going to claim it’s just business’ between you two?” Candy teased.

Hannah planted a hand on Candy’s cheek and pushed her away. “I’ve got things to handle. Go back without me. I covered your Moussaieff Red, too.”

Candy had snapped up the red diamond for 60 million earlier, unable to resist its glitter.

“Love you for that! Seriously, you’re the best,” Candy beamed, making two heart hands. “Though I almost feel bad for whoever’s footing the bill. Well, I’m off!”

Candy knew Hannah’s methods all too well. Whenever a major expense came up, she’d simply take on a job and make the client cover it.

Money never lingered in her hands, a tactic that helped keep her trail hidden.

After seeing Candy off, Hannah pulled out her phone, sent a quote to Gemma, and headed downstairs to collect her item.

Chapter 67

Back in the Master’s private chamber, the bodyguard, Azel Mercer, returned from seeing Hannah out, his brow furrowed with concern.

He asked, “Sir, are we truly allowing her to leave with the Obsidian Pearl just like that?

Behind the shimmering bead curtain. Barnaby sat enthroned in relaxed elegance, one leg cromed over the other, slowly swirling a glass of crimson wine.

His ghost mask was pushed up to his forehead, revealing those strikingly handsome features.

He took a deliberate sip. ‘Is there a problem?”

Axel thought incredulously. You came here tonight for one reason, to secure the Obsidian Pearl. The one thing that could save your life.

And you just handed it to some stranger. Not to mention those three requests. Shouldn’t the first have been return the Pearl, the second heal me, and the third… well, whatever this is?

Not daring to voice his thoughts, Axel discreetly pulled out his phone and typed rapidly into their encrypted group chat.

Axel: [Mr. Thole’s having an episode. @Percival, need you here ASAP.]

Ronin: [What happened now?]

Ronin: [Is he unstable again?]

Ronin: [Are you still at the venue? Contain him before he blows his cover.]

Ronin: [@Percival, pick up your damn phone.]

Ronin: [Anyone have Ms. Carter on speed dial:]

Finneus: [Ronin, breathe. Mr. Croft will have her contact. Reaching out now.]

Axel: [False alarm. He’s stable. Just gave away the Obsidian Pearl.]

Percival: [Elevator. No service.]

Percival: [You’ve got to be kidding me.]

Ronin: [You can’t be serious.]

Finneus: [Let me guess. Is it a woman?]

Ronin: [Axel, don’t just stand there. DO SOMETHING.]

Axel: [It’s a woman. The Nameless Healer.]

Barnaby: [Axel, consider this quarter’s bonus forfeited.]

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Axel’s blood ran cold. He’d forgotten Barnaby had been in the group chat.

He swiftly pocketed the device, looking up with poorly feigned nonchalance. “Sir, with all due respect, are you quite alright?”

Instead of answering, Barnaby posed a question of his own, “What does it mean when a girl keeps wearing a gift from a guy?”