“This is a charity auction. Please remember your manners. From now on, whoever interrupts the bidding will be escorted out of the venue at once.

The guests recognized the old man as soon as he appeared in front of them.

It was Amon Hopkins, the dean of No. 2 Research Institute of Broome University and one of the organizers of this event. When the ruckus had died down and he was satisfied with the behavior of the crowd, Amon handed the microphone back to the hostess.

As he walked to the back of the stage, he shot Maria an encouraging look before leaving. Maria gave him a small thankful nod, subtle enough that other people wouldn't notice.

The hostess invited the crowd to resume bidding. The price of the elixir formula increased even further to five hundred million dollars, but the guests seemed to be in high spirits, and the bidding showed no sign of slowing down.