The machine was set up on a small table near the edge of the stage. Roman stood beside it, his expression serious."Whenever you're ready, Mr Mitchell."Logan walked toward the table. His movements were unhurried, his expression calm. He pulled out his phone and began the transfer process.The room was silent. Everyone was watching.Alex Smith leaned toward Carlos, his voice carrying a cold sneer. "This is where it all falls apart."Carlos nodded slowly. "He's going to stand there and pretend for a few minutes, and then he's going to have to admit he doesn't have the money.""He's been running this scam all afternoon," Alex said. "The fan. The painting. Making everyone believe he's something he's not.""It stops now.""I can't wait to see his face when he realizes he can't fake his way out of this."Alex shook his head with cold satisfaction. "The fool served himself right for going on stage and boasting when he wasn't really worth anything."Carlos scoffed, his voice carrying disgust

Roman gestured toward Logan. "Mr. Mitchell. Your turn."Logan walked to the center of the stage. His movements were unhurried, his expression calm. A different ore stone was wheeled before him, placed on the pedestal where Richard had stood moments earlier.The room went dead silent again.Logan began observing the material. He didn't pull out any tools. He didn't measure anything. He simply looked at the stone, his eyes moving across its surface with patient attention.A New Horizon merchant whispered to his neighbor. "Why isn't he using any tools?""Maybe he doesn't need them.""Everyone needs tools. Even Richard used tools.""Maybe

Gordon Pilgrim sat in the special section, watching the exchange with a carefully controlled expression. His hands were clasped in front of him, his posture straight.His aide leaned closer. "Sir, do you think Richard can win this?"Gordon's voice was low. "Richard has never lost a challenge. Never.""But Logan.""Logan got lucky. That's all. He won't get lucky again."The aide nodded slowly. "Of course, sir."Gordon's eyes narrowed. "Richard is going to destroy him. It's only a matter of time."Roman stepped forward. "Mr. Mitchell. Your turn. You'll be looking at another stone.”Loga

Gordon stared at the shredded papers on the floor. His mind was blank for a moment, unable to process what had just happened.The transfer rights. The import channels. Everything he had come for. Destroyed in front of his eyes.His voice came out flat. "You have no idea what you've just done."Roman's smile was cold. "I know exactly what I've done. I've protected my city. I've protected my people. And I've shown you exactly what happens when you try to take what isn't yours."Gordon's jaw tightened. "You think this is over?""I think this particular part of it is over. You lost. You lost everything and now you're going to leave."Gordon's hands clenched at his sides. His voice car

Gordon's fury reached a boiling point. The rage that had been building since the moment Logan stepped onto the stage was now fully present, consuming every rational thought.His mind went blank for a moment. Then something else took over. Something darker.The gun.He had brought it for protection, a precaution. He had never intended to use it. But now, in this moment, with Roman standing there sneering at him, with everything he had worked for destroyed, the thought of pulling it out and ending this once and for all flashed through his mind.Roman turned to walk away, dismissing him like he was nothing.Something inside Gordon snapped.His hand moved toward his jacket, toward the