"Out of respect for me," Silas said calmly, "how about we let this one go?"

Finley scoffed, resting his sword over his shoulder with an arrogant smirk. "Let this one go? Sorry, Mr. Vaughn, even if you're personally here to plead, this little punk will bleed out on the spot tonight."

The onlookers tensed, shocked that Finley would not even show respect to the auction host. Then again, the Hidden Dragons' reputation was formidable enough to back Finley's audacity.

Most spectators silently fr