Rise Of The Legendary Goldmaster.

2 || A MAN WITH MYSTERIOUS POWERS.

Once again, Asher rubbed his throbbing cheek, wondering what he’d done wrong.

“Stay away from me!” She screeched. “Stop trying to touch me or I swear to God…”

They were in the middle of a life and death situation, otherwise, Asher would have found it funny that Victoria was fighting for her life and cursing him out at the same time.

Her condition was worsening by the second. He had to do something.

This wasn’t how he planned on revealing himself to the world, but Asher ignored Victoria’s struggles and pinned her to the bed once again.

“What are you doing —?!”

Not bothering to respond, he shoved a hand in his pocket and retrieved a long, acupuncture needle.

From his years of training as a medical professional, Asher knew that he had to find a pressure point to insert the needle in order to regulate Victoria’s breathing.

“Asher, stop this! What are you doing with that thing?!”

“I know you don’t like me very much but right now, you need to trust me. This might sting a little.”

Without wasting any more time, Asher stuck the needle into her chest

At first, Victoria’s heart burned with a sharp pain and her screams rocked the room. But as the seconds ticked by, the pain disappeared and her heartbeat returned to normal.

Asher leaned backwards, watching her carefully.

“How do you feel?”

Victoria sat up, her mind churning with confusion as she gently massaged her chest.

“The pain… it’s gone…” she whispered incredulously.

“What did you do to me? How…?

I would usually need an hour to recover from my seizure, and you cured me within seconds? Are you some kind of magician?”

Asher shrugged. “It’s nothing.”

“No, you don’t understand.” Victoria retorted. “I was diagnosed with a heart disease when I was five years old. My father spent billions of dollars, paying the best doctors and physicians to cure me, but no one has been able to find a solution. Until today.”

Finally, she swallowed her pride and whispered; “thank you.”

Asher nodded. “It was nothing.”

“Who are you? What is this power that you possess?”

Asher was tempted to reveal his identity, but the time wasn’t right. Yet.

Instead, his lips curved in a seductive smirk;

“You should spend another night with me if you really want to know. Maybe I’ll tell you by sunrise.”

Annoyed, Victoria stomped to her feet.

“You cannot be accused of being a gentleman, can you?”

God forbid a woman try to show her gratitude. Skilled or not, Asher Deville was still an arrogant, insufferable bastard!

“Calm down. It was just a joke.” Asher didn’t expect Victoria to actually get mad.

He may be a player, but even he knew that a man who offends a woman wasn’t a gentleman.

He produced a shiny, luxurious silver box from his pocket and held it open, revealing a pair of earrings made from gleaming green rhinestones.

“I accept that I messed up—here, take this as my way of saying sorry, yeah?”

“What is this?” Victoria asked, trying hard not to admire the beautiful and obviously expensive pieces of jewelry.

“It’s just an earring” Asher walked up to Victoria with a confident smile.

“But, if you’re in trouble, it can be your ultimate lifesaver.”

“Bullshit! Can you stop talking in riddles already? You just can't—” Before Victoria could finish, Asher grabbed her wrist and pinned her against the wall.

She froze, her breath hitching in shock.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing? Unhand me immediately!”

Victoria tried to fight him but Asher was stronger and more agile. He had the earrings clipped securely to both her ears within seconds.

“See? That was quick and painless.”

Victoria tried to argue but the shrill sound of her ringtone pierced the air. Her heart dropped when she saw her father’s name on the caller ID.

“Victoria, where are you? I need to see you in my office ASAP!”

“Uh… I’m with a friend, dad. I’ll be right there.”

Victoria pushed Asher away and hurried to the door. But before she left, she spun around once more, shooting Asher a fierce glare:

“I’m letting it slide today, but next time you dare to lay your hands on me, you’re gonna regret it!”

***

TWENTY MINUTES LATER…

“Master Deville, the auction schedule for this month is finally ready. Shall I read it to you?”

That was Slade, his right hand man and most trusted aide.

Very few people in New York City knew about Asher’s true identity and he liked it that way. Slade had proven his loyalty when he sacrificed himself in war and got injured. As a result, Asher promoted him, placing him in chargye of his local businesses.

When he wasn’t living undercover as an ordinary commoner in East City, Asher held the title of LEGENDARY GOLDMASTER.

Not only was he secretly the wealthiest man in the city, he also wielded enough power to manipulate the stock markets and even the black markets in his favour.

As the Goldmaster, Asher played the role of an investor. His duty was to invest in companies which suffered bankruptcy and lead them back to the world of unimaginable profits with his divine wisdom.

His skills were in high demand, and he earned exorbitantly from it.

Asher, in collaboration with the government, hosted the “Lunch with Goldmaster Charity Auction” every year, one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated events in East City.

This event was only open to the top ten percent of billionaires in the city because rare artworks and even gold pieces were auctioned off at sky-high prices.

Despite the high cost, people trooped in every single year, hoping for an opportunity to have lunch with the anonymous and legendary Goldmaster.

All the proceeds from the event were donated to charity, of course.

“I told you to call me Asher. Master Deville is a bit old fashioned.

Anyways, go on, I’m listening.”

“The charity auction is set to be held in three days at the East City Grand Hall.”

“Alright then. Anything else?”

Slade hesitated and Asher knew he had bad news.

“Master Deville, I got exclusive information that your fiancée, Miss Scarlett Wellington, is getting engaged at a private ceremony that will be hosted in her home this afternoon.”

For a moment, Asher was silent. He waited for the anger and heartbreak to hit him but strangely, all he felt was relief.

Grandmaster Caspian had taken Asher under his wing after his parents passed many years ago. To show his gratitude, he worked hard and rose in the ranks to become the Grandmaster’s best performing student.

Barely a year ago, the Wellington family had brought their daughter, Scarlett, to the Grandmaster to be cured of a strange brain disease.

Thankfully, the Grandmaster cured her and to show their appreciation, they agreed to get their daughter engaged to Asher.

When the Wellington family heard about the Grandmaster’s death, they mailed a document annulling his engagement to Scarlett the very next day. They did not even give him the courtesy of meeting in person.

Now he was convinced that they found him unworthy of their daughter.

“Master Deville, Allow me to teach that ungrateful family a lesson. I promise, I will make them regret their actions.”

Asher shook his head.

“There’s no need for that, Slade. The Wellington family are actually doing me a favour.”

Asher’s mission in East City today was to deliver some medicine to Scarlett and her family as instructed by Grandmaster Caspian before his death.

Her engagement was none of his business. The idea of marriage felt like a prison to him anyways.

“Alright, sir. A convoy is waiting for you at the mansion. All the cars are tinted and bulletproof just like you prefer. Shall I send a driver to pick you up?”

“That will not be necessary. Arrange a regular car for me. I need a vehicle that doesn’t draw any attention.”

“But Master Deville…”

“I want to keep a low profile. Do as I say…”