"Two hours before the auction starts, are there still three Legendary Tier Masters guarding you?" Catherine shook her head with a wry smile and said, "You guys are really unlucky, let's continue to get to the point." ”

"After the stone was lost, we spent three days searching for it. John continued: "I have searched almost all the suspicious places in the dark, but there are no clues. The disappearance of the Hesitant Gem is really bizarre, we suspect that it is the work of high-ranking thieves of the Thieves' Guild, so we sent a note to the City Guards and asked them to cooperate in negotiating with the Thieves' Guild, but according to the convention, if you want to negotiate, you must have conclusive evidence, but the problem is that we don't have any evidence to prove that the members of the Thieves' Guild are involved, so they can't negotiate. ”

"Well, that's the practice of the Thieves' Guild. Catherine nodded thoughtfully, "But why did you come to us? We don't have any evidence, and it's been so many days, I'm afraid we won't be able to find any evidence." ”

"No, we're dead. John sighed and said, "We've given up on finding evidence to negotiate with the Thieves' Guild, and it's a bit unrealistic. The other party can steal the gem under the guard of the three Legendary Tier Masters, how can they leave evidence. So, this time I hope you can find the current owner of the gem for my auction house. ”

"Isn't that the same as finding evidence?" said Pannis, pouting, "and it's harder than finding evidence, it's about finding the stolen goods directly." ”

"No, no, no, you're mistaken. John shook his hand vigorously and said, "We only want to find the owner now, not the thief, do you know what I mean?"

"Understood. Pannis smiled and said with interest: "In other words, you have already separated each other's identities, and you will not consider whether the other party is stealing and executing this identity, but just want to negotiate a deal with the identity of the current owner of the other party's gems, I am right." ”

That's what it means. John forced a smile: "It's great that you can understand. ”

"Even for this purpose, it's not a reason why you have to come to us. Catherine frowned slightly, and said with some doubts: "There are many teams that can help you track down." You could even go to the Thieves' Guild and give a commission to find this person, there is no need for us to come forward. If you want us to accept this commission, you'd better tell us everything. ”

"Catherine, he should want to negotiate with the other party. Redeem the gem at a high price. Pannis explained for John: "If he comes forward to make a commission himself, I am afraid that the other party will not be comfortable talking to him, so a middleman is needed." And Nelly's Adventure Party's reputation is just what it takes to act as an intermediary – don't forget that even thieves have heard of you. will have the greatest trust in you. ”

"You want to redeem the gem?" Catherine said in surprise: "Let's not talk about whether the other party will offer an astronomical ransom, don't forget that the other party is a thief's guild, and many of their actions are carried out by accepting commissions, which means that there may be a client behind the other party, and if you want to redeem the gem, it means that the thief will tear up the commission agreement, which will seriously damage the reputation of the other party." ”

"Do thieves have a reputation?" John sneered, "I'll pay a high enough ransom to redeem the gems, and I think thieves will be tempted by this price." ”

"High enough?" Catherine was stunned, "How much are you prepared to pay?"

"The starting price of that gem is 500,000 gold coins, and I am willing to pay 20 times the price to redeem it. John loosened his neckline again, wiped his sweat fiercely, and said dryly: "The best deal within five million gold coins." 10 million gold coins is the bottom line I can accept. ”

"You're crazy. Catherine exclaimed, "Even if you participate in the auction, the price of that gem is estimated to be between three and four million, and you actually come up with ten million?"

"No way. John covered his face dejectedly and said: "Now it is not a gem problem, this gem is related to the reputation of Merel and Jones Auction House for one hundred and seventy years, if it cannot be recovered intact, who will dare to trust our auction house in the future, who will dare to deliver the auction items to the auction house in advance for publicity? So in order to redeem the gem, I will do whatever it takes." ”

"So you want us to be the middleman?" Catherine said with some hesitation, "Actually, we probably know who stole the gems, but there is no evidence. So can't give you this information. However, we can help you ask, and if it's really them, I can promise to help you connect with each other. Give you a chance to negotiate. ”

"No, no. John snatched the bottle in front of Pannis, poured himself another full glass, and the action of pushing too hard made a lot of wine splash around: "I don't participate in the negotiations, and if I do, it may make the other party worry that I have some conspiracy or other plans." Thus refusing to negotiate, so simply give it carte blanche to you, and it is entirely up to you to do so. ”

"Are you sure your brain is normal now?" Catherine squinted at John and said, "We've been friends for many years, and if you say something like this in a hot head, I can give you a chance to take it back, calm down and continue." ”

"I'm calm. John affirmed, "No need to take it back." ”

"That's 10 million gold coins, not 1,000, it's 10 million. Catherine felt her heart beat several times faster: "You give me carte blanche, if the negotiation is completed, no matter what the transaction price is, I can tell you that it is 10 million, and you have no room for doubt." ”

"Thieves can trust you, what do I have to doubt. John gritted his teeth and said, "If you accept this commission, your commission fee is not fixed, and for every million the price decreases, your remuneration will increase by fifty thousand." If you have a transaction of 10 million, the commission is 10,000 gold coins, 9 million is traded, the commission is 60,000, 8 million is traded, and the commission is 110,000, and so on, the lower the price, the higher your commission fee. ”

"You tell me the truth. Before Catherine could decide, Pannis looked at John with suspicion: "Who gave you the idea to give us carte blanche to us? You are not a person in the professional circle, you certainly didn't think of it, let's say, who the hell is." ”

"Ugh. John was speechless, opened his mouth several times but did not make a sound, and Pannis was not in a hurry, quietly watching John fight by himself. After a long time, John reluctantly said: "More than one person, when I went to ask for help from the city guards again two days ago, their vice-captain Erlan recommended you, and yesterday when I asked for help from the City Lord's Mansion through the Chamber of Commerce, the city lord personally came forward to receive me, and he also recommended you to me, and this idea was proposed by the city lord of Odin, including the form of commission money. ”

"I knew it. Pannis slapped his forehead, tilted his head and said, "Odin, that guy is really going to make trouble." ”

"President him...... Alas. Catherine smiled bitterly and sighed, "This commission is really tempting, but the pressure is too much. ”

"Catherine, you can't say no. John said in a bit of a panic: "For the sake of our friendship over the years, you must agree, this is related to the future development of our family, and all my hopes are pinned on you." ”

"That's why it's too stressful. Catherine's expression was very entangled: "Who dares to guarantee the success of this kind of thing? Even if the negotiation is completed, such a high-value goods are put in your hands, if it is your own, it is better to say, but it is someone else's, and it is related to the future of your entire family, the responsibility is too great, and it makes people nervous just thinking about it." ”

"Please. John's usually dignified and serious face showed a flattering smile, folded his hands in front of his chest, and said flatteringly: "In the future, if you come to our auction house to auction things, you will only be charged 2% of the 5% intermediary fee, and you must agree to this commission." ”

Catherine looked at Pannis, but Pannis turned her eyes away and made a look that was none of my business. As is customary, when Pannis makes this expression, it often means that he thinks that there is no conspiracy and everything is feasible, and every time she sees Pannis's expression, Catherine will basically make up her mind. But this time it was an exception, as Catherine gave John an apologetic smile and took Pannis's arm and dragged him into a random room.

"Hey, hey, hey. Pannis scrambled back control of his arm: "What do you want to do, I warn you, I'll call someone if you come over again." ”

"I want to hit you. Catherine said angrily: "Let's say quickly, whether this commission is accepted or not, there is an eighty percent chance that they did it enthusiastically, and the time and place are just right." ”

"You're the head of the regiment. Pannis said indifferently: "Of course, you decide this kind of thing, why do you ask me?"

"Say it quickly. Catherine, however, grabbed Pannis's collar and pressed him against the wall, face to face, the tips of their noses almost touching each other, and each other's skin could even clearly feel each other's breathing: "Tell me quickly, whether this commission will be accepted or not." ”

"You won't ...... I'm scared. Pannis, who seemed to understand something, asked softly, "My knight?"

"How, how is it possible. Catherine took a few steps back abruptly, and said with a flushed face: "I, I'm a fearless knight, and the task doesn't need to fight, I, I, I, I, I have nothing to fear." ”

"Looks like you're really scared. Although Pannis said this, the smile on his face was very peaceful, with the power to calm people's hearts: "Who said that this mission does not need to fight, this mission not only requires fighting, but is also extremely tragic." ”

"Do you see that?" Catherine said with her head down, slowly squatting on the ground, her body trembling a little, "Indeed, the battle of this mission is particularly fierce. ”

"However, no one can help you. Pannis reached out and pressed Catherine's shoulder, half-knelt in front of Catherine, looked Catherine in the eye, and whispered, "Because it is your battle, face your own inner battle." (To be continued.) )

PS: 263084458 book friend group, if you want to come, join the group. P.S. Friends who have passed by ask for monthly passes, collections, recommendations, and your support is my biggest motivation. In addition, it is good for everyone to give more opinions, thank you.