[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system":3,"chapter-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-186":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},560674,810,"Chapter 186: Rising Prices and Hidden Smiles","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-186",186,"\u003Cp>Rising Prices and Hidden Smiles\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is a painting by William Dynasty artist Michelangelo ...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man on stage began to eloquently explain the painting’s background, setting the starting bid at thirty million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice carried smoothly through the hall—steady, practiced, almost hypnotic. With every sentence, he painted not just history, but value. Not just value, but desire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The artwork, mounted under warm amber lighting, seemed to breathe. Snow-covered mountains stretched across the silk canvas, silent and distant, a lonely road fading into pale emptiness. Even those who knew nothing about art felt a strange stillness in their chest while looking at it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a brief moment, the entire auction hall quieted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thirty-two million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A calm voice broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thirty-five million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another followed, sharper, more decisive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, bids came in one after another, and the painting was eventually sold for eighty million.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hammer struck with a crisp echo, sealing the deal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few people nodded in approval. Others leaned back, mildly impressed. To them, this was just the opening act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a rich handsome guy, Julian D’Aurelius wasn’t particularly interested.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even glance at the painting when it was finalized. Instead, he lazily leaned into his chair, fingers idly rolling another pistachio between them before cracking it open with a soft snap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spending millions on such things was just a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Art is something to look at, not something you can eat. Why spend so much money on it?]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His thoughts came dry, almost bored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Art that can benefit humanity, now that’s good art.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Like the art films stored in my cloud drive.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His golden eyes flickered with amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Ahem, and they’re free, indirectly hitting the European economy.]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Julian D’Aurelius was internally mocking these arts, Yana Tyson couldn’t help but have a black line on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her shoulders stiffened slightly, her fingers tightening around the edge of her seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he serious?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is this guy doing a stand-up routine in his head?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her lips twitched faintly, caught between disbelief and irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She tried to maintain her composure, but her breathing became just a little uneven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The contrast was ridiculous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On stage—refined elegance, culture, prestige.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her head—this man casually dismantling it all with nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Noticing Yana Tyson’s sudden change in expression, Lucas asked with a charming smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned slightly closer, his tone soft, attentive—perfectly crafted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What’s wrong, Yana, feeling unwell?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the smile on Lucas’s face, Yana Tyson really felt uncomfortable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before, she had admired it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt like something oily... something that didn’t belong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her stomach churned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shook her head and said, \"Nothing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you’re not feeling well, just tell me. Seeing you in discomfort makes my heart ache.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas gently tapped his chest as he spoke, his eyes filled with exaggerated tenderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To anyone else, it might’ve looked sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Yana?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It felt suffocating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yana felt a wave of nausea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your heart aches, huh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I could beat you up right now, I’d definitely give you a stab to make you feel some real pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers curled slightly, nails pressing into her palm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But outwardly—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a cold response, Yana Tyson stopped talking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze shifted forward again, cutting off any further exchange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas didn’t mind; women who admired the strong were born to be conquered by him!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He leaned back, confidence unshaken, lips curling into that same devilish smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To him, resistance was just another stage of submission.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian casually tossed another pistachio shell into the small tray beside him, eyes half-lidded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Man... watching this is more entertaining than the auction itself.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Half an hour into the auction, the lion Gem statue was finally brought onto the stage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A subtle shift moved through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not obvious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But noticeable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The item itself wasn’t flashy. It didn’t shine like gold or glow like rare gem artifacts. It simply sat there—a quiet, pale figure carved with care, shaped into a lion with an oddly lifelike posture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Waiting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this lion Gem statue, many people cast curious glances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed like it was their first time seeing such an antique?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some leaned forward slightly. Others narrowed their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Something about it felt... off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unfamiliar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Dear guests, the next item up for auction is this white gem lion, an artwork whose creator I couldn’t identify due to my limited knowledge, but I believe its artistic value is quite high.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The old man smiled as he spoke, tone light but confident.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So the starting bid is five million. Interested guests might want to give it a try; you might just find a hidden gem.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little old man laughed after his introduction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A ripple of soft laughter followed across the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In all the years of hosting auctions, they’d never had anyone find a hidden gem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had the best antique appraisers in all of China.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could recognize artifacts from any dynasty, and very few fakes could deceive them!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guests all laughed as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But beneath that laughter—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was temptation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because sometimes...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Luck didn’t follow rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But anyone attending this auction had a net worth of at least a billion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To them, a few million wasn’t much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So soon, people began to bid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I’ll bid five and a half million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man in the third row raised his paddle lazily, as if tossing spare change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then I’ll go six million.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another voice followed immediately, calm but firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The numbers began to climb—not aggressively, but steadily. Like a quiet game.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Julian’s gaze finally settled fully on the lion Gem statue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression sharpened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a little.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Here it comes...)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile curved his lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Showtime.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>------------------------------\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Authors Notes: Dear Readers, Thanks so much for joining me on this adventure! Your enthusiasm, feedback, and encouragement really keep me motivated to keep bringing *Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System* into existence. If you’re loving the Chapters, I’d love it if you supported my book with a Powerstone, review, or even a Golden Ticket—it helps me develop as a writer and lets more readers enjoy the story. I look forward to hearing your ideas and thoughts, so please don’t hesitate to share!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With love,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saturn_Virgo_777\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Creator of Villain of Fate: The Tyrant System\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>--------------------\u003C\u002Fp>",1062,"2026-05-30T15:14:55.253Z","2026-06-01T04:31:33.482Z",1,"novelbin.me","023357da796b41cfdece98999dfdf0e6d56a56487e6ff034ae6d78a03023a418","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-187","villain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-chapter-185",232,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fvillain-of-fate-the-tyrant-system-cover.jpg"]