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Chapter 48: Card Declined?
Celeste’s smile returned."Thank you all for waiting,” the man announced, in a smooth voice. “We won’t waste any more of your valuable time. We will now begin the transaction process and documentation for your purchased items.”The group nodded in unison.Celeste moved toward a long table, placing several folders down. The man continued. “Please understand that for items of this value, our process includes verification of identity, confirmation of funds, and signature documentation. Once completed, your items will be transferred to private security transport or to your chosen delivery method.”The hawk-masked man muttered, “As it should be.”The silver-masked woman rolled her eyes.Celeste began distributing documents.One folder for the woman who purchased the painting. Another to the man who bought the pistols. Then she approached Elena.Elena accepted hers.When Celeste reached Ryan, her smile shifted. It was still professional, but there was something else beneath it, and Ryan co
Chapter 47: Auction Winners
That wasn’t a rented guard. He moved like a trained killer and who would kill without hesitation. Zoula swallowed hard. “That is Ryan,” she whispered to herself. “I know it.” She turned back toward Christopher, and something dark flickered in her eyes. “Don’t ever interrupt me when I talk." Her voice dropped into a warning. Christopher blinked, surprised by her sudden tone, but before he could reach her Zoula stood up with her chair scraping against the floor. Without waiting for his reply, she walked away, her dress swaying like a storm. Christopher quickly rose after her, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, baby,” he called softly. “Come back. You’re overthinking.” But Zoula didn’t stop or look back. She disappeared into the crowd, leaving Christopher standing there. Meanwhile, Ryan and Marcus reached the hallway leading to the verification rooms. The corridor was quieter, lined with marble walls and gold-framed paintings. The noise of the auction hall faded behind them, and at the
Chapter 46: Verification Room
Whispers continued roaming through the auction hall long after Celeste’s gavel struck the final confirmation. The watch was sold, but the number still hung in the air like smoke. “Ten million dollars!” No matter how many times the crowd repeated it in hushed voices, it still sounded unreal, like the kind of number that belonged in newspapers and scandals not spoken aloud in a room full of masked elites. People were no longer watching the stage again, but rather the figure at table 4. Their curiosity was piqued, and the hall buzzed like a disturbed beehive. Some guests leaned toward each other, whispering behind gloved hands. Others openly stared, while their masks hid their expressions. Nobody pretended because this wasn’t just an expensive purchase, but rather an insult directed at a man like Nikolai. In their world, humiliating someone like Nikolai was like lighting a match in a room filled with gasoline. A group of men in the middle row whispered to each other. “I can’t beli
Chapter 45: The Bid 3
She paused, letting the silence stretch until it felt suffocating. “This item was formerly owned by the late Mr. Thomas Wright.”Ryan’s breath caught in his throat; his father had died, leaving behind a company, a legacy, and a storm of enemies Ryan hadn’t even known existed.Celeste turned toward the velvet-covered pedestal in the center of the stage. “A watch,” she said. “From the Lost Watchman series. One of only three ever made.”The attendants rolled in the pedestal forward.The room leaned in as if pulled by gravity.Celeste reached for the velvet slowly, making it a ritual, and then she pulled it away.The watch sat on a black cushion, all in gold and heavy with craftsmanship.Its face gleamed under the spotlight, engraved with tiny markings so precise they looked like art rather than time.Celeste’s voice was almost reverent as she explained. “The Lost Watchman series was crafted by a Swiss master watchmaker who died before completing the fourth piece. Only three exist. One is
Chapter 44: The Bid 2
Ryan furrowed his brow. “Why am I not surprised?”Celeste continued, scanning the room with her list. “Ladies and gentlemen, we also have Ms. Zoula of Zhou Corporation with us tonight,” she announced.The crowd reacted instantly, and applause filled the air. Several heads turned towards Zoula, many of which were laced, which also belong to the men of possible suitors.Ryan recognized her cold confidence, which didn't move him anymore. Her mask was gold and white, decorated with small stones. She waved once, not smiling too widely, then sat down like she was bored of the attention.Ryan’s gaze flicked to Nikolai again andNikolai’s head turned, also most as if he could sense it from across the room.Then Celeste’s voice continued, her tone changing. She looked down at her list again, then lifted her gaze toward the crowd. “Lastly,” she announced, “We have Mr. Blonoir.”Ryan’s stomach tightened and a few heads turned or glanced back, curious but unimpressed. No one clapped properly. The
Chapter 43: The Bid
The room filled slowly with more people spilling in from the grand hall, their footsteps muffled by thick carpet, their masked faces turning like curious birds as they searched for the best vantage point.The auction hall itself felt like a theater built for secrets. Rows of chairs stretched toward the stage, each seat marked with a small golden plaque and a number engraved in clean lettering. The lighting was dim enough to keep identities hidden, but bright enough to display wealth. The air smelled of perfume, aged cigars, and champagne. Every breath Ryan took felt like he was inhaling someone else’s power. He remained at the back, choosing a seat where he could see everyone. It wasn’t the best view of the stage, but it was the best view of the room.From here, he could see the subtle movements. The way a man adjusted his cufflinks whenever someone important walked past. The way a woman touched the pearls on her neck like she was reassuring herself that she still mattered. Ryan di
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