Rise Of The Legendary Goldmaster.

11 || ROGER’S PUNISHMENT.

A hush rippled through the crowd. Gradually, it was replaced by whispers of disbelief. Everyone was astonished at Asher’s boldness.

How dare he interrupt the Goldmaster’s right hand man?!

“I have never witnessed this level of reckless audacity in my entire life.” A guest muttered, shaking his head. “Surely, this lowlife should know he’s playing with fire.”

“I feel sorry for him.” Another guest chimed in. “Does he have a death wish? I pray his life is still intact when Slade is done dealing with him…”

Slade, on the other hand, was still reeling with shock.

Without thinking, his shoulders tensed and his head dipped in the slightest hint of a bow.

Thankfully, Asher acted quickly before Slade could expose his secret.

His hands shot out and he gripped Slade’s shoulder, stopping him mid bow.

His grip was firm and filled with silent command — don’t bow. Play along.

“What are you doing, Mr. Slade?” Asher asked with a soft, tense laugh.

Slade’s eyes narrowed in confusion. His gaze searched Asher’s face for answers. Why was his master acting so strange?

He opened his mouth to speak but Asher interrupted him once again;

“I am touched that you would want to bow to a nobody like me.” He said, raising his voice just loud enough to be heard by the audience.

“Amongst everyone here, you have treated me with the most respect.”

Slade lifted one perfectly arched brow, still as confused as ever.

“The Goldmaster must be so lucky to have someone of your caliber as his right hand man.” Asher continued, louder this time.

“You’re just as compassionate and charitable as your master. I am deeply moved by your humility.”

Slade was shocked to his bones. He remained frozen to the spot as he mulled over Asher’s strange words.

His master never complimented him in public. He loved to reserve all his praises for their private meetings.

The atmosphere crackled with tension as Slade struggled to decipher the awkward situation.

Compliments in public. Pretending like he was not the Goldmaster. Something fishy was definitely going on.

Suddenly, the truth dawned on him and his eyes widened with realization.

The Goldmaster was not just putting on an act for the fun of it.

He was trying to hide his identity! And Slade was expected to play his part.

Acting on instinct, he snapped into character immediately.

If the master wanted to keep his identity hidden, who was he to oppose?

Slade inched closer to Asher and asked in an intimate tone;

“Master, what should I do next?”

Asher’s eyes flickered with relief. If Slade had wasted another second, the guests were bound to find out that something fishy was going on.

“I have reasons to suspect Roger Blackstone of fraud.

He wasn’t just unlucky today. This situation was not an accident. I am sure that he has conducted numerous fraudulent auctions in the past!

I think Slade should help to conduct a thorough investigation on this man. The Goldmaster’s reputation is at stake here! How about the innocent buyers? No one deserves to get ripped off of their hard earned money!”

Asher’s confident speech was received with whispers of shock from the guests.

“Is it possible that Roger fooled us all along?” A man snarled, his face twisting with fury.

“I have no idea. I attended his previous auctions and never suspected a thing. This is all very shocking.”

Gradually, the whispers morphed into a furious protest. More guests began to see reasons with Asher.

“The items sold at this auction are definitely fake! Even the good doctor confirmed that his herbs were counterfeit!” A guest muttered angrily.

“I’m disgusted by Roger’s actions. Shame on him!”

“If that thieving lowlife dared to sell fake items at the Goldmaster’s auction, who knows what other atrocities he has committed behind closed doors?!” Susana snarled.

In the twinkle of an eye, the protest spiraled into a frenzy.

“We want our money back!” The guests chanted. “This auction was nothing but a sham!”

“If you’re not gonna refund us, then bring out the original items! Shame on you for trying to fool us!!”

Roger was rigid with terror as the uproar tilted towards violence. Sweat glistened in his brow and soaked his expensive suit.

He risked a glance at Slade, hoping to find some sort of compassion. But he ended up flinching with fear at the cold, raw fury that burned in the man’s eyes.

Roger spotted Asher standing beside Slade and his eyes narrowed with rage.

Everything that happened was the fault of that dirty, stinking lowlife!

Deep down, he hoped that Slade would not side with that nameless outsider over an elite of his caliber.

Roger was confident that Slade would never embarrass a fellow elite for the sake of that talkative douchebag.

But all his hope was crushed with Slade’s next words.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I understand your pain and I’m urging all of us to remain calm.”

Silence reigned in the hall immediately, a sign of true respect.

“This young man beside me,” Slade gestured at Asher, “has proven that wisdom and thoughtfulness should not be measured by class or the money in one’s bank account.

Not only is he wise beyond his years, his bravery has helped to unveil a horrible act committed by one of us.

On behalf of the Goldmaster, I sincerely apologize for this incident. I promise that a full investigation will be conducted and everyone will get justice!”

Roger’s face crumpled with panic as the audience erupted into shouts of jubilation.

Meanwhile, the cheers from the crowd grew louder as they chanted the Goldmaster’s name.

“Once again, the Goldmaster has proven himself. He’s such a thoughtful and wonderful man!” A guest said excitedly.

“Bless him! I knew he would never stand by and watch us get scammed. I’m so grateful to him!”

“Finally, the idiot who tried to steal from us will be punished. Thank you, Goldmaster!”

Meanwhile, Roger was as pale as a ghost.

There was no lie he could fabricate to get himself out of this situation. Anyone who dared to incur the Goldmaster’s wrath never walked away unscathed.

He was terrified. His life was finally over!