SPEND OR DIE: THE GOURMET WEALTH SYSTEM

Chapter 8: Who Won The World?

“…..the cookbook sold for $200,000 dollars.”

Gasps filled the room.

Millions of questions filled the air, who would be crazy enough to buy a mere recipe diary that pricey. Henry turned right in time to see Killan’s bidding tab. He closed his eyes to get his mind together, it was totally unbelievable that Killan had ousted him in the bid let alone afford that much for it.

He swallowed his disgust and humiliation as the auction proceeded, the next was a painting, a really expressive piece, the commentator’s voice lowered as he spoke, a loud opera filled the background, multiple red lights shone on the stage giving it a dire vibe.

“The emperor painted this out in sorrow, history had it that he made this piece on the last day he ever made a dish, his lover was killed to stop him from cooking, an abominable hobby for a charismatic leader, there he was, a tired chef, ingredients falling off his plate and the cooking fire burning out of control….”

Killan felt a teardrop from his left eye, he suddenly became self conscious about it, the sympathetic story touched his heart, he almost felt the Emperor's pain if only he wasn’t running out of time.

“…..the bid grows from $400,000 ....$600,000…$1,000,000…$1,600,000....and OMG! again our massive spender $4,000,000”

“What! The same person!”

“Oh My Goodness!”

“$4,000,000 for this painting?”

Murmurs filled the VIP room, Henry turned slightly again and looked in Killan’s direction. He was still holding the damn bid tag up.

“…….any counter bidding?….in the absence of none, this painting is officially sold for $4,000,000”

The VIPs didn’t clap, most of them felt insulted.

That night they had showed up to boast with their accumulated wealth but they were being ousted out by one person. Most of them didn’t know it was Killan, of course he wasn’t that important of a person to end up in the actual radar of the extremely powerful ones but after this bid, he technically becomes a target, he knew that already because right now, he still have over $5 million dollars to spend within the auction room.

The system didn’t interfere, Infact, it was too silent that Killan almost assumed it had vanished forever. Out of the seven items put up on bid, Killan would end up returning home with six of them; consequently, Henry couldn’t even lay his hands on one.

Entry to the bid was easier than the exit considering the fact that everyone was now curious about him. Henry made it easy by loudly making a joke about Killan plagiarizing his recipe, to his dissatisfaction, no one in the VIP section cared about that. To the older men, Henry Calvary was merely a spoilt old brat who only gets invited to there because of his father’s integrity.

Killan was overjoyed, this mission was way easier than he thought. He had succeeded with winning the auctioned bids before the stipulated time. Now was the time to return home for his return.

Unfortunately, the system hadn’t appeared at all.

Killian became so worried as he waited patiently to be called, he had never witnessed an auction before in his entire existence so this was new terrain. Soon after, a young lady in pink dress approached him, she held six ribbons folded together and passed it unto his neck and requested his credit card for the transaction.

It then occurred to him that he hadn’t actually paid in the first place which made him still vulnerable to death. He became more agitated. The procedures and rigid protocols were going to get him killed soon enough. He had about seven minutes left. The young lady who had left for another room returned looking quite upset but she maintained a professional attitude.

“Sir, may I request for a review of your credit card details, it was declined.”

Killan felt a rush of cortisol in his core. Millions of questions flooded his mind,

Was the system playing tricks on him once again?

He accepted the tablet the lady held out for him and scribbled on it his details again, she bowed slowly and walked away leaving Killan with a thumping heart.

“You look distressed, would you perhaps…need a hug?”

Henry’s sarcastic voice sounded right in front of him, he never knew that he had been watching him all along. Henry had his hands folded over his chest, his furrowed brow boring a hole into the ribbon on Killan’s neck.

“I don’t think I invited you into my space Mr Calvery.” Killan responded half distracted by the beeping stop watch.

“Oh! He still has some pride for a fool that won an auction he could not afford, should I give you a rundown of what happens to fakers who couldn’t afford their wins in bids?”

“Humor me Henry Calvery.”

“Unfortunately, you will be arrested for lying and charged for fraud, having you away for a few years wouldn’t hurt the world after all no one alive would miss someone like you.”

Killan laughed,

“At least, you will miss me.”

Henry swallowed hard, he had expected Killan’s self worth shattered already but he wasn’t bulging at all. Henry started rambling on about morality and how Killan lacked it including being incapable in every aspect of his pathetic life.

His harsh words were feeling all too real, Killan was having an internal conflict but he still maintained the outer stance. He thought maybe Henry was right, the system might have abandoned him too, maybe he wasn’t good enough,

If the payment falls through again, he was dead, no questions.

He unconsciously rubbed his wrist, the exact spot he had cut open the vein.

“…..and Martha was smart enough to realize that a loser like you Killan was…..”

“My apologies Mr Quinn, your transaction is successful, we made a rare error in the process earlier.” The young lady said as she approached his booth.

“Oh!”

Killan jumped off his feet, the system suddenly surfaced,

[Congratulations Killan Quinn]

[Mission Two completed awaiting reward]

“May I ask that you follow me for picking up your wins.” She added enthusiastically.

Killan smiled cockily.

Henry had already turned his back, about to leave but Killan stopped him.

“Mr Calvery, you were saying something earlier, weren’t you?”

“Fuck off destitute, I have no idea where you stole that huge money from but I will be sure to seek evidences against you when the time is right.”

“Oh! Why am I so scared.” Killan mocked.

Henry turned around and walked away feeling immense disappointment. Millions of possibilities filled up his mind. He knew that his father and Martha were going to scold him.

Killan followed the young lady to the other room, every necessary paperwork’s were signed and he was handed the six purchases alongside three mesggsengers that carried them behind him.

He was about getting to the car driveway when he saw Henry again, this time, his back was turned, he was making a frantic call, his voice was harsh but all Killan could overhear was.

“He has it now, I don’t care if you have to fuck him again, get the idiot to hand over the cookbook.”

“Sadly, there is no such idiot anymore.” Killan whispered behind him,

Henry was startled, the phone almost fell from his grasp but Killan caught it right on time, he placed the receiver on and punched on the loud speaker.

“Hi Martha, your ex-husband made you proud, didn’t he?”

The daunting sarcasm was evident in his tone.

“Killan.” Martha said softly.

“May I ask you a question, woman?” Killan said bluntly.