She knew he was right.
The sect's prestige, resources, and her reputation—none of it could sustain a bidding war of this level for long.
Her thoughts spun faster than her senses could stabilize. Fear… shame… confusion… and unbearable humiliation swirled within her chest.
Her pride told her to stand her ground, but her instincts told her she was already outmatched.
Her voice reached out to him again.
"What… do you want?"
There was a beat of silence. A pause that made her heart pound harder.
Then Julian's voice returned, soft, amused.
"Hmm… what do I want…"
He let the words hang in her mind, making her suffer more.
"That's an interesting question…"
Another pause.
She waited silently.
"But tell me, Heavenly Moon—what could you possibly offer me?"
She gritted her teeth in frustration.
She really had no idea what she could offer that he didn't already seem to possess.
