“Although there is no written rule about it, you can't deny that the Jenkins family has done well this time. Why don't we just give them a higher quota this time?’

“No way!" Fred retorted without skipping a beat.

"The reason why we restrict the number of people who can sit for the examination of the Pill Alchemist Association is to select the cream of the crop. How can we allocate the quotas based on the bidding result?" His words were rational on paper, but they didn't make any sense.

Albert was furious, Not only did he think it was unreasonable for Fred to deliberately target Maria, but he also felt that Fred's attitude toward him was rather contemptuous.

“Fred, you at least owe me a reasonable explanation. Don't you think?" For the first time ever, Albert spoke to Fred in a grave tone.

The truth was, Fred knew that what he was suggesting was unreasonable, but he just laughed casually in response.

“Albert, you are not from a big family. There are some things you don't understand." As he spoke, Fred took out his phone and showed Albert a chat history.

It was a few messages he had received from Barbara.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Barnes, The Jenkins family is only expecting one place for the exam this time. You can allocate the rest of the places to other ancient martial clans, so that there's no waste of resources."

Albert widened his eyes in surprise.

"This... This is..." Fred's lips curved up into a triumphant smile.

"See? The Jenkins family doesn't need more places. What's the point of offering them more?"

Albert shook his head and said, "We can't make a decision based on the words of one member of the family. We should investigate and verify it..

“Come on," Fred said impatiently, waving Albert's qualms away.

“There is always some internal strife or the other among members of rich clans. It's none of our business. Why should we step into other people's affairs?"

Whether there was an internal strife within the Jenkins family or not, Albert could clearly see that Fred was partial to Barbara. Albert didn't know it, but his guess was completely on the nose.

Fred was not just partial to Barbara. He had struck up a deal with her.

Barbara had sent him more than a few messages. She had also wired him a generous amount of money.

Despite not knowing this important truth, Albert still felt that it would be unfair not to give Maria a place to sit in the exam. After seeing the elixir formula that she had sold for an outstanding amount of eight hundred million, no one could deny that she was capable enough.

Gritting his teeth, Albert said, “Fred, don't forget how Mr. Gregory treated Maria just now."

For the first time during this conversation, Fred faltered a little. Even though he had received a bribe, he didn't dare do anything to offend Goodwin, After thinking for a while, he said reluctantly, “Okay, then let's give the Jenkins family one more place... No, two more places for them. Does that sound fair enough?"

After Maria's elixir formula was sold, there were only a few more items left to be auctioned.

The next three clans revealed the treasures that they had prepared. Although those items were not shabby by any means, they were nowhere near as valuable as the elixir formula for the Peony Pill.

As the charity event neared its end, the guests began to grow bored and restless. They could barely stifle their yawns as they waited for the hostess to make the closing announcement. But it turned out that there was one last item to be auctioned.