ALL HAIL THE GOLDMASTER

Chapter 2: Gold Master.

"For God's sake, woman! I don't exactly enjoy being assaulted on my gorgeous face," Seth cursed, rubbing his stinging cheek.

It really hurt!

Rose covered her body but looked paler than usual. Her breathing was labored, her eyes blurring, her arms weakened even as she held her clothes tightly but her voice was still strong.

"I... I really misjudged you!"

"Come on. I was merely attempting to assist with your… condition," he said honestly.

But Rose wasn't buying it. 

She’d been tormented by this illness for over twenty years. In that time, she’d seen countless top doctors and tried every so-called miracle cure under the sun. None of them worked. Not a single one.

There was no way a broke nobody like Seth could possibly fix it.

Pain surged through her again. Gritting her teeth, Rose struggled to reach for the fast-acting heart pills in her bag. But before she could touch it, Seth’s right hand shot out—his fingers tapped a few precise points on her chest in rapid succession.

A stabbing, bone-deep pain tore through her body… then vanished.

Just like that.

But now—she couldn’t move.

What the hell did he just do?

She looked at him in shock.

“Relax,” he said casually, “that was just the appetizer. The real treatment starts now.”

Seth rubbed his palms together, then began pressing firmly along the congested meridians in her chest. His hands moved quickly and deliberately. With one final strike, a surge of warmth burst through her body, like a dam breaking.

In an instant, her clogged meridians were cleared. Her internal organs felt lighter, freer—almost as if a lifetime of shackles had been lifted.

Rose gasped. The pain that had plagued her since birth… was gone. Completely gone.

How... How is this even possible?

“Get up,” Seth said with a teasing grin. “Or do you prefer lying in my arms?”

Flustered and humiliated, Rose scrambled upright, her cheeks burning. Even then, the shock hadn’t left her eyes.

“...Thank you,” she mumbled, her back to him. “But—how did you do it?”

“Well,” Seth shrugged, tone light, “if someone were born with talent like mine, and trained harder than anyone else on earth… maybe—just maybe—they’d reach a tenth of my level.”

There it was again—that unbearable ego.

Rose rolled her eyes. She should’ve known. Still the same shameless narcissist.

“Fine,” Rose’s eyes shifted slightly as she changed her approach “Then answer me this—who the hell are you, really?”

"A man, last time I checked," Seth replied, his eyes twinkling.

"I mean, where are you from?" She narrowed her eyes, struggling to keep the simmering anger at bay.

"The East," he said.

Rose's face tightened with annoyance. "Stop playing games with me! What's your name?" she demanded, realizing she didn't even know it.

"Seth! And if you really want to know who I am… perhaps I require another night," Seth said with a sly smile.

"You bastard!" She huffed, annoyed.

"I want nothing to do with you after today!" 

She should’ve never shown that man any kindness.

Snatching up her bag, she strode straight for the door.

"Hey hey! My bad", Seth stepped in front of her, blocking her path.

"Let me at least take responsibility for my…mistake," he said, removing an ornate earring from his lobe and offering it to her.

"I don't need it," Rose gave the gaudy little thing a quick glance, her face full of disdain.

Seth gently pushed her against the wall, one hand trapping both of hers above her head.With the other, he swiftly pressed the earring onto her earlobe.

"Ow!" Rose glared at him in pain.

"When you're in danger," Seth said, his breath grazing her neck like a warning, "just press it—I'll come for you."

Rose's breath quickened as he pulled away from her. Before she could mutter another word, her phone rang in her bag. 

She turned to face Seth, her eyes refusing to meet his.

"I have to go now" she said, clearly flustered before darting out of the room, answering the phone call on the way.

“Hi dad…….”

Seth smiled as she ran away, Seth reached into his pocket and answered the call he had been ignoring for some time.

"Lucas."

"GOOD MORNING SIR!" Lucas's voice sounded through the phone in all his reverence. Seth's smile quickly faded.

No one knows he’s the legendary market god—GOLDMASTER—a man who storms through the business world, stirs the tides, and with a flick of his hand can drag a dying empire back from the grave.

But for all his power, he’s a ghost in the flesh—shunning fame, avoiding the spotlight. Few have ever laid eyes on him.

Still, his name alone is a siren’s call. The world’s elite trip over themselves just for a chance to glimpse him, to beg for a word of wisdom.

So, with the government playing matchmaker, a deal was struck: once every five years, a luncheon auction with GOLDMASTER himself—a global spectacle unlike any other.

And this year, the stage is set in Velkor City.

"What's the matter?" Seth asked, his voice devoid of emotion.

"The location is secured, and the list of invitees has been finalized, sir," Lucas replied.

"Then I'll be with you shortly, after I've finished what I came here to do," Seth said.

"Does this have something to do with your… fiancée's wedding?" Lucas asked cautiously. Seth sighed.

"No, that doesn't concern me. I'm simply following my mentor's orders. That is all," Seth said, his voice brooking no argument.

"Do you perhaps want me to crash your Fiance's wedding? One word and it will be done" Lucas offered.

"That wouldn't be needed. I'll just drop it off and head home" Seth replied tiredly.

"I'll send some men to pick you up then. Sir." Lucas offered.

"No, Lucas", Seth rolled his eyes.

"I don't want an entourage following me to my fiancée's wedding."

"I prefer to remain anonymous. It's how I live."