"I'd like to join immediately," Alexander said, placing his black card on the receptionist's desk with quiet confidence.The receptionist's eyes widened as she picked up the card with trembling fingers. "Of course, Mr. Howard. Let me process this right away."She swiped the card through her terminal, and both of them watched as the transaction was approved without any delays or complications. The ease with which a million-dollar charge went through seemed to stun her into silence."Welcome to the Gentleman's Club, Mr. Howard," she said breathlessly. "If there's anything at all you need during your time here, please don't hesitate to ask me personally."Alexander nodded curtly and walked past her desk into the exclusive club beyond. He had no interest in her fawning attention – his only goal was finding the third ring or whoever possessed it.The interior of the Gentleman's Club was even more opulent than the lobby. Rich mahogany paneling covered the walls, leather furniture was arrange

The tension in the room was palpable as more wealthy members gathered around Alexander, their expressions a mixture of skepticism and barely contained hostility. The auction had come to a complete standstill as everyone waited to see whether the mysterious newcomer could back up his unprecedented bid."This is absolutely ridiculous," declared Benjamin Crawford, a heavyset man with gold teeth who owned several casinos. "A ten million dollar bid from someone we've never seen before? It's obviously a scam.""Exactly," agreed Preston Whitmore, a thin man with nervous eyes who ran a chain of luxury hotels. "New members don't just walk in here and start throwing around that kind of money. It's clearly a bluff to make an impression.""I am definitely not bluffing," Alexander said firmly, his voice carrying an authority that made several members take an unconscious step back."Then prove it," Tony demanded, his face still flushed with anger and embarrassment. "Show us this magical black card

When Alexander heard Cornelius Vanderbilt introduce himself as the owner of this horrific establishment, rage burned through his veins like molten steel.Every instinct screamed at him to tear this man apart for the countless lives he had destroyed through his human trafficking operation.But something deeper than conscious thought held him back – a discipline so ingrained it felt like breathing.His military training, whatever fragments remained in his muscle memory, kicked in automatically.His face remained perfectly composed, his breathing steady, his posture relaxed. To any observer, he appeared completely calm.Alexander realized that if anyone would know about the mysterious hooded figure with the third ring, it would be Vanderbilt.The owner of an operation this sophisticated would have connections throughout the criminal underworld."Mr. Howard," Vanderbilt continued smoothly, "a man who can casually spend ten million dollars clearly has refined tastes. Perhaps I can interest