Chapter 149: Hayla

Omm Woulsto sighed when he heard Kadyn's words. Then lifted his head and said in a sad tone. "It is the chamber of commerce just in name. The truth is that that it can't even compare to a single high-profile shop in Clover Square." 

He looked at the ceiling and then said with a deep sigh. "If it goes like this, our chamber of commerce would be shut down by the House. After all, we haven't given them much after relocating to this place. Our business is almost equal to none."

"Then what about the weekly auction you hold?"

Omm chuckled, but there was a self-mocking grin on his face. "It is nothing but a joke," he said. "Only people who live in the area would come to see the show. Only a few people would be interested in bidding for something. 

"There aren't many things that we could place in the auction, much less anything precious that would attract any important figure. Moreover, no one comes to this rundown area to auction their treasures. After all, they have other better options. More famous auctions, where they could get better biddings."

Kadyn shook his head inwardly, he could only guess how hard it must have been for Omm to run this almost non-existing chamber of commerce. 

After being driven out of Clover Square, the Eastern Stunning whirlwind Chamber of Commerce became a laughingstock of the capital, and people started to look down on it, turning it into a present state.

"So," Omm said, "do you still want to auction your elemental essence in our auction house?"

Kadyn hesitated.

Omm knew what he was thinking. So he gave him one more push. "If you auction your elemental Essence here, we will advertise it with everything." 

He paused and looked at Kadyn. "But other auction houses won't give it as much importance as us. Our branch is almost at the brink of death, after all. Furthermore," he leered at Kadyn and proceeded, "if you help us this time, I will owe you a favour. When the time comes I will repay, if it is within my capability."

Omm looked at the frowning Kadyn and slouched back on his couch, not disturbing anymore. He knew that his first offer was nothing tempting as even a dunce could tell that other auction houses would attract many customers on their regular auctions and if they said that there was a Rank 2 elemental essence it would spread like a wildfire. 

So he could only count on his second offer. But he didn't know that Kadyn didn't care about either of his offers. The hesitation he showed was a facade. He wanted to look more like a genuine customer. Otherwise, people will start to think he was a scammer — even if wasn't — due to his carefree behaviour. 

'I only know two chambers of commerce,' Kadyn thought, 'in which one of them is on the brink of its death, while the other is not a place where I want to go.'

He chuckled inside his head and looked at the Omm. "Alright," he said, finally. "Let's do it."

Finally, a smile appeared on Omm's face. He extended his hand to shake and said. "Happy cooperation."

Kadyn shook hands with the manager. "When are you going to hold the auction?" he asked.

"I usually hold a weekly auction at noon, but I have already cancelled today's auction because I didn't hear any news from you, and we had little to auction," he paused and an embarrassed look emerged on his face, but then his eyes shone brightly. "But now, we have Rank 2 elemental essence. House Woulsto will definitely provide us things that we could auction before the main thing appears."

"You didn't… tell anyone about the elemental essence yet?" Kadyn asked when he realised something from Omm's words.

Omm looked embarrassed when he heard him. He chuckled and said. "You vanished and didn't come for two days. I thought you had gone to another auction. That's why I didn't announce it, and even cancelled the auction."

Kadyn was left speechless, but he could somewhat understand his concern. The reputation of the chamber of commerce was already lying on the ground. If he claimed that the Rank 2 elemental essence would appear in his auction and failed in the end, the reputation of the Eastern Stunning Whirlwind Chamber of Commerce would end up in the gutter, and he would have no option but to shut it down in the end.

Omm eyed him and said. "The auction will begin at 8 o'clock in the night."

Kadyn nodded. "Hey, can you send someone with me to Clover Square?" He said. "I want to see the shop you were talking about."

"Oh, alright," Omm nodded. Then he thought about something and went on. "How about this, you can settle in the shop if you like, and I will deduct money from the money you will get from selling Water Python."

"Cool," Kadyn agreed without blinking an eye. After all, he was more eager to buy the shop than to sell the water essence. "I will be here at 8 o'clock then."

Omm looked at the maid behind him and said to Kadyn "She is Hayla. She will show you the place."

Hayla opened her mouth wide, but then hurriedly closed it and nodded reluctantly.

After sending Kadyn, Omm eyed the two guards at the door and said. "Send Zastan and Barion into my office." Then he again walked into the building. The two guards exchanged glances and then one of them rushed to inform Zastan and Barion, as he was told.

——

"I'm sorry," whispered a voice from beside Kadyn.

"What?" Kadyn said in a confused manner.

"I said I am sorry." This time Hyala said in a clear and audible tone.

"Sorry?" he eyed her and creased his brows. "Why are you sorry?"

"You..." she gritted her teeth. She could tell by the smirk on his face that he knew what she was talking about. But he still teased her. But no matter, it was she who was in the wrong. "I'm sorry for my misbehaviour last time. I shouldn't have said those mean things." She apologised.

"Mean? What do they mean? Can I hear it again, pretty please?" Kadyn said with a grin on his face. He almost burst into a peal of laughter when he saw how hard she was trying to apologize.

"You…" Hayla was left speechless. "You are pulling my leg, aren't you?"

"Oh my god!" Kadyn jumped when he heard her words. "I am really not pulling your leg. There must be someone else hiding here!"

"You are such a joker," she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to control her laughter. Then said. "It is a figure of speech, you stupid."

"Wow, I never knew that. I guess you learn many things when you are in the presence of great people."

Hayla rolled her eyes at him and said. "So, did you forgive me?"

"Forgive you for what?"

"You… you are such a bully. I am not talking to you," she said and rushed ahead of him. Kadyn chuckled and followed from behind.

Just like that, the duo arrived at Clover Square.