Chapter 30: The Duel
February is the peak season for auction houses. Around this time last year, the staff at Huntington Auction House were busy authenticating and appraising antiques, creating promotional catalogs, and advertising for the upcoming spring auction. But this year, the place was deserted. Regular clients avoided the auction house, making excuses about being abroad and not returning to Oxford for several months. No one wanted to risk their expensive purchases becoming court evidence before the case was resolved. At the board meeting, Mrs. Huntington remained composed, directing operations with an air of calm. She confidently encouraged everyone to stay united and weather the storm. In reality, the auction house had put half of its employees on unpaid leave, while the remaining staff worked on reduced wages. Unable to bear the pay