013 Erika’s Counterattack

"At last, we have arrived at the final item of the auction!" On stage, the host's voice trembled with excitement. "Let us invite Miss Nock Lyon, the eldest daughter of the Lyon family, to personally bring it forth!"

The beautiful young lady stepped gracefully from backstage, this time clad in a flowing evening gown. The white silk was tailored perfectly, making her appear ethereal; her golden hair was elegantly pinned up, and her composed, dignified smile rendered her almost unrecognizable from the exuberant woman who had earlier blown kisses to the crowd.

In her hands, she carried a large glass case, within which lay a wooden wand, resting quietly.

"That's right! Don't blink! The wand before you is none other than the Staff of Eternity—the original artifact that has guarded the Water City for centuries!" The host explained, his voice growing ever more fervent. "The Staff of Eternity is carved from ancient wood. Though its gemstones have long vanished from years of movement and upheaval, its power to sense magical elements remains undiminished! Its affinity for magic surpasses anything available on the market by hundreds of times. Owning it means your abilities will leap ahead in an instant! It is the dream wand of every mage! No need for further words; this peerless treasure is beyond estimation! The bidding will start at one million gold coins—a bargain you will not regret!"

"One million two hundred thousand!"
"One million five hundred thousand!"
"One million eight hundred thousand!"
"Two million!"

The atmosphere was electric, faces flushed as the price soared rapidly.

"Five million," Jun Yan stated calmly. The crowd, caught up in their bidding, was stunned by the sudden leap of three million. As they hesitated, Ada murmured softly, not knowing to whom she spoke, "By the way, this year it's up to you to choose the Lyon family's partner, Jun Yan. Have you decided?"

Jun Yan's answer was brief.

Those who had been ready to bid fell silent—this was a blatant threat.

"So, five million once, five million twice, five million..." The host wiped his brow, incredulous that the wand was being sold so easily.

"Six million!" The young lady on stage could no longer hold back. For the wand, five million was like a drop in the ocean—far too low.

"Rejected!" Jun Yan met the furious gaze of the young lady, his tone sharp. "Auctioneers are forbidden from participating in bidding. Violators are guilty of malicious price manipulation, subject to fines and expulsion from the venue. Take your pick."

The young lady was speechless.

"Five million, three times—sold!" Bang! The gavel fell. The host, still dabbing his brow, reminded, "Everyone, please proceed backstage to pay and collect your goods. The Lyon family guarantees authenticity and safety!"

Backstage, the Lyon patriarch personally removed the wand from the glass case, gazing at it with deep affection as he addressed Jun Yan. "This treasure was so hard for me to acquire, and now you take it away so easily. Ah, nephew, you had better cherish it well!"

Jun Yan replied, "Rest assured, uncle. I will treasure it with all my heart." With that, he took the wand without hesitation.

Ada, unable to restrain herself, circled the wand, eager to try it at once. Seeing Ada's rare display of genuine emotion, Jun Yan did not make things difficult for her, handing the wand over. Ada received it with delight—when suddenly, from a tiny "wormhole" in the wand, white smoke billowed forth.

"Poison!" Ada managed to push Jun Yan aside, but inhaled several breaths of the toxic gas herself. Her vision blurred, and as she struggled to lift her head, she saw the Lyon patriarch's triumphant, wicked grin. Her hands were forced behind her and bound; her body collapsed, limp and vulnerable, as if she were a pizza, ready to be sliced.

"What are you doing?" Though Jun Yan had been pushed aside, he was still affected. He summoned all his strength to fend off the Lyon family's guards attempting to drag Ada away. The magical energy in his hands glowed without attack power; all he could do was shield Ada, preventing anyone from approaching.

"Is it worth it, sacrificing your life for a counterfeit?" The Lyon patriarch appeared utterly relaxed, reveling in the control he held over life and death, enjoying his moment to toy with his prisoners.

"She is my second sister, not a counterfeit," Jun Yan replied, his brow furrowed. It seemed his plan for an impostor had reached its end.

"Is that so?" The Lyon patriarch gestured for someone to enter. The young lady from earlier, head bowed, stepped in, reluctant to be part of this plot. The patriarch paid no mind, smiling at his daughter. "Thanks to my precious girl, who saw through Miss Ada's disguise, I discovered the true depth of the Grant family's schemes."

"Is that so?" Jun Yan responded indifferently. "I must also admire Miss Nock's talent for intelligence gathering and appropriating others' work. I presume you learned of Ada's imposture from Erica?"

The young lady's head dropped lower, wishing she could bury herself in a cake.

Unable to gain advantage in words, the Lyon patriarch abandoned pretense and went straight to the point. "As a long-time friend of the Grant family, I cannot bear to see such chaos. Today, I will clean house for my old friend who is always away. Guards!"

Several guards responded, advancing menacingly, blades drawn and aimed at Jun Yan. The patriarch's smile was sly and calculating.

Bang! The door was kicked open, and warriors in Grant family uniforms surged in, trampling the would-be attackers beneath their boots in a swift, brutal assault.

"My apologies for disrupting your plans," Jane Lu arrived with her team of magicians, the traces of magical energy still flickering in her hands—proof that any lingering enemies outside had been dealt with.

Jun Yan looked at the team he had personally deployed and gave a knowing smile, his taut nerves finally relaxing as he moved to help Ada up.

"Stop!" A familiar female voice rang out from nowhere. Turning, Jun Yan saw a woman whose features closely resembled his own approaching him. "In the name of Erica Grant, eldest daughter of the Grant family, I declare: Jun Yan Grant, for persecuting his elder sister and scheming to seize the family's wealth, is expelled from the Grant family. He no longer has authority over any member of the Grant family. Anyone who obeys his orders shall be considered equally guilty and expelled. The real Ada Grant died three years ago; this impostor deserves no mercy!"

Those preparing to fight for Jun Yan froze. Before Jun Yan had defeated and imprisoned the eldest daughter, the entire Grant family had grown accustomed to following her orders. Now, with her return, no one knew whom to obey.

Jun Yan, however, remained calm. He helped the dazed Ada to her feet and said to Erica, "Just because I brought in a fake Ada, you would betray our family's interests by collaborating with the Lyon family?"

Erica was furious. "Betray the family's interests? When have I ever betrayed our family's interests?!"

Jun Yan replied, "I don't believe Nock could have discerned Ada's identity alone, nor could she have single-handedly found our new blueprints and memorized every detail, nor could she alone have released you."

Erica had no retort.

Jun Yan continued, listing his points as casually as discussing dinner. "I've hidden away for years, never leaving the house, with all power in your hands. I kept so low-profile that I didn't even let my gender be known outside, lest outsiders question why the family's men weren't handling business. But your ambitions grew. Ada, being as extroverted as you, became your sole target and ultimately committed suicide. Your suspicions increased, and if I hadn't brought in a fake Ada to distract you, would I have survived till now?"

Erica's face darkened. "So what? Victory is all that matters! I only believe in winning!" She threw up her hands, shouting like someone finally unleashed after years of restraint. "Kill you, reveal Ada's imposture, and I will still be the fearless Erica!"

"Attack!" Erica shouted to the Lyon warriors, "Kill Jun Yan, and I will pay you a hundred thousand gold coins and grant you permanent promotion!"

The promise of a hefty reward, combined with Erica's lingering authority, stirred the warriors. A few could not resist stepping forward to seize Jun Yan.

"Hahaha! How marvelous, it's been ages since I've witnessed such a spectacle—and the actors are my own children!" A middle-aged man's laughter echoed from the doorway, instantly recognized by all present. Erica was stunned into silence.

"Father?"

"Jun Yuan Grant?"

At the door stood a well-dressed middle-aged man. Time had left little mark on his face, instead adding to his mature charm—large eyes, high nose, sharp features. He looked like an older, refined version of Jun Yan, full of elegance and charisma.

"As head of the family, I hereby revoke all of Erica's privileges in the Grant family. She is to be confined for a year to reflect on her actions." Jun Yuan stood at the Lyon family's door as comfortably as if it were his own bedroom. "Isn't that my old friend Brook? It seems you're quite interested in our family's affairs."

Brook, the Lyon patriarch, saw Erica's defeat and quickly reconsidered. Better to root out trouble than let it escape. He glanced outside—their own warriors had finally surrounded the place. Gritting his teeth, he commanded, "Attack! Wipe out all members of the Grant family, and the Lyon family will reign supreme!"

Erica knew this battle meant all or nothing. She gathered ice blades in her hands and charged at Jun Yan, who seemed defenseless. If she could kill him, she would regain control—she would still be Erica, mistress of her fate!

"Kill!"

Stardust Chronicles 013_013: Erica's Rebellion completed!