Chapter 24: Past Events of the Vanderbilt Family

On the terrace, the autumn wind was getting cold.

Victoria walked elegantly to the floor-to-ceiling window in her high heels. "The Vanderbilt family may look united on the surface, but internally it's been falling apart for a long time."

"Although Caroline is part of the Vanderbilt family, she was originally just from a branch line. Her older brother John Vanderbilt is the current family head!"

"Really?" Leo finally showed some interest.

Victoria lit a lady's cigarette and said slowly, "Over twenty years ago, the direct heir who was head of the Vanderbilt family suddenly died, and John, from this branch line, successfully took over as family head with the Drake family's support."

"What's most interesting is that this John, who schemed his way to the top, recently had a sudden stroke. He's now lying in the hospital in a coma, basically a vegetable. The whole Vanderbilt family is leaderless now, completely scattered."

Victoria paused, her red lips curving into a meaningful smile. "And now, Sophia Vanderbilt, the direct heir's daughter from twenty years ago, has returned."

"She wants to take back everything that belongs to her."

Leo flicked his cigarette ash. "You want me to use her?"

"No," Victoria shook her head. "What I'm saying is, tonight at eight, Sophia will appear at the Starlight Auction House in Manhattan. They'll be auctioning something crucial to both you and her."

"What is it?"

"A document." Victoria pulled out a gold-embossed invitation from her handbag and handed it to Leo. "It's the original agreement from twenty years ago, the secret deal between the Drake family and John. It contains detailed records of how they worked together to help John seize power."

Leo flicked his cigarette ash. "How did something like this get out?"

"Because..."

Victoria leaned close to him, her red lips almost touching his ear. "The lawyer who handled this agreement sold it to an underground auction house before he died. He wanted to make a fortune before dying, to leave to his illegitimate son."

"Tonight at eight, Sophia will appear at the Starlight Auction House in Manhattan."

Leo was silent for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled.

"Interesting. The enemy of my enemy is my friend."

"So..." Victoria extended her slender finger and gently tapped Leo's chest. "Tonight, come with me to the auction?"

"I can get the invitation, but once we're inside, whether you can get that document depends on your skills."

"After all, Sophia is no simple pretty face. She's an expert in law, ruthless in her methods. Over the years, she's secretly taken down no fewer than twenty opponents in business."

"And from what I know, her bottom line for bidding is fifty million dollars. How much are you planning to offer?"

Leo didn't answer. He just stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray and walked toward the dressing room.

"Olivia."

"Yes!" Olivia's voice immediately came from outside the door.

"Get the car ready, and..." Leo paused. "Prepare one hundred million dollars."

Victoria froze for a moment, then smiled radiantly.

"One hundred million dollars? Darling, are you planning to flip the auction house upside down?"

"No." Leo changed into a sharp black tailcoat, straightened his bow tie, and turned to look at Victoria. "I'm going to let everyone know the price of crossing me."

Eight o'clock that evening, Upper East Side, Manhattan.

Starlight Auction House.

This was one of the most mysterious auction houses in New York's underground world, specializing in auctioning things that couldn't see the light of day.

Black market antiques, classified documents, even assassin services—as long as you had money, you could buy anything.

The auction was held on the top floor of an ordinary-looking office building.

Plain on the outside, but shockingly luxurious inside.

Leo, wearing a black tailcoat and escorting Victoria in a wine-red evening gown, stepped into the auction hall. Their appearance immediately drew quite a bit of attention.

"That woman is Victoria... the arms queen from Europe..."

"Who's that man next to her? Such a strong presence..."

"Don't know him, but he looks dangerous..."

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Leo ignored those gazes and walked straight toward the VIP seats in the back row of the auction hall.

Just as he was about to sit down.

"This seat is taken."

A cold female voice rang out.

Leo turned his head to see a woman in a white evening gown standing not far away.

She was about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with features as delicate as a carefully carved work of art, her chestnut hair styled in an elegant bun, revealing her slender neck.

Most striking were her eyes—ice blue, radiating an aloofness that kept people at a distance.

It was Sophia.

"Sorry, I didn't see a reservation marker," Leo said calmly.

"Now you do." Sophia walked forward and placed her diamond clutch on the seat, claiming it.

She looked Leo up and down, a flash of confusion in her eyes. "Are you new here? I've never seen you in New York circles."

"Leo Ashford." Leo gave his name.

"Leo..." Sophia repeated the name, her pupils suddenly contracting. "You're the Leo who wiped out the Romano family in Chicago?"

"Looks like my reputation has reached New York." A smile played at the corner of Leo's mouth.

Sophia's expression changed slightly, her eyes becoming guarded.

"What are you doing here?"

"Same as you." Leo pointed at the auction stage. "Buying something."

"Buying what?"

"What do you want to buy?"

The atmosphere instantly froze.

Sophia stared at Leo, a chill flashing in her eyes. "You're also here for that document?"

"Is there a problem?"

"Yes." Sophia laughed coldly. "That document, I must have. I'd advise you not to waste your effort."

"Really?" Leo was unconcerned. "Then we'll see who bids higher."

"Do you know how much I'm prepared to offer?" A flash of pride showed in Sophia's eyes. "Fifty million dollars. Not many people here can afford that price."

"Fifty million dollars?"

Leo laughed, casually. "I've prepared one hundred million dollars."

The entire hall instantly went quiet.

Everyone who heard that sentence looked at Leo like he was crazy.

One hundred million dollars?

For a document?

Sophia was also stunned, disbelief flashing in her eyes.

"You... you're insane? That document is worth thirty million dollars at most! You're offering one hundred million?"

"Whether it's worth it is not for you to decide."

Leo turned to face the auction stage. "To me, that document... is priceless."

Just then, the auctioneer walked onto the stage and tapped his small wooden gavel.

"Ladies and gentlemen, good evening."

"Welcome to Starlight Auction House. Tonight's grand finale item, I'm sure you're all looking forward to it."

"A secret agreement from twenty years ago, documenting a dark deal between two of New York's major families that no one knows about."

"Starting bid, ten million dollars!"