THE ABSOLUTE APPRAISER SYSTEM

Chapter 3: Just in Time

The electronic chime of Ryan’s phone signaled a bank notification that felt completely surreal. He looked down at the screen, staring at the numbers: Available Balance: $45,000.

Victoria Vance had kept her word. The wire transfer had cleared instantly, turning him from a broke outcast into a man holding a small fortune. But he had no time to celebrate. The clock on his phone read 11:30 PM. The university’s automatic system would drop his sister Chloe’s enrollment if the outstanding tuition balance wasn't paid by midnight.

Ryan dashed out of the Prestige Chronicle Auction House, hailed a premium taxi, and headed straight for the campus administration building.

When he burst through the double doors of the bursar’s lobby at 11:45 PM, the building was mostly empty, cast in the dim glow of fluorescent lights. However, standing right by the main payment counter were two people he never wanted to see again.

Tyler Sterling and Maya.

Tyler was leaning against the counter, twirling a high-end car key ring around his finger, while Maya stood close to him, holding a boutique shopping bag. They were laughing with the night-shift clerk, an older woman named Mrs. Gable, who was known for being incredibly strict with low-income students.

As the door slammed behind Ryan, all three turned to look.

Maya’s expression instantly twisted into one of annoyance. "Ryan? What are you doing here? I told you at the golf course that we are finished. Are you seriously stalking me now?"

Tyler let out a loud, mocking scoff, crossing his arms. "Wow, look at this. The dog followed us all the way from the country club. Did you come here to beg for your caddie job back, Ryan? Or maybe you're here to collect the loose change I dropped in the dirt?"

Ryan ignored them entirely, stepping up to the adjacent counter terminal. He looked at Mrs. Gable. "I’m here to process an emergency tuition payment for Chloe Vance. Here is her student ID number."

Mrs. Gable pulled up the file on her monitor, her eyes scanning the screen before she looked up at Ryan with a cold, judgmental sigh. "Young man, your sister owes four thousand five hundred dollars. The system locks down in exactly ten minutes. Unless you have the full amount in cash or a guaranteed bank draft, I cannot help you. And looking at your current state, I suggest you stop wasting our time."

Tyler burst out laughing, slapping his hand on the counter. "Four grand? Mrs. Gable, this guy couldn't even afford the golf balls I lost in the water hazard today. His family lives on government assistance." He turned to Maya, a smug smirk on his face. "Watch this, babe."

Tyler pulled out a sleek, matte-black credit card and slid it across the counter toward Mrs. Gable. "My father wanted to donate ten thousand dollars to the university sports fund tonight anyway. Why don't you process my donation first, Mrs. Gable? Let the beggar wait until the midnight deadline passes."

Mrs. Gable’s eyes lit up at the sight of the elite black card. "Oh, Mr. Sterling! Of course, right away! It's always a pleasure dealing with proper, wealthy families."

Maya looked at Ryan, her eyes filled with supreme pity. "See the difference, Ryan? Tyler can throw around ten thousand dollars like it’s pocket lint while you can't even keep your sister in school. This is why I left you. Go home before you embarrass yourself further."

Ryan stood completely still. Suddenly, his eyes flared with a subtle golden hue as the System scanned Tyler’s transaction:

[Target: Tyler Sterling’s Matte-Black Card.]

[Secret Data: Account flagged for unauthorized corporate spending. Tyler’s father locked the secondary card ten minutes ago due to an unapproved luxury boutique purchase.]

[System Action: Immediate card rejection imminent upon processing.]

A calm, razor-sharp smile formed on Ryan’s lips. He stepped back, gesturing to the counter. "Go ahead, Tyler. Process the card. Let's see how much your wealth is worth tonight."

Tyler sneered. "Pompous bastard. Watch and weep."

Mrs. Gable swiped the black card through the terminal with a flourish. The machine hummed, processed for a moment, and then let out a loud, harsh error beep. A bright red text flashed on the screen: TRANSACTION DECLINED - ACCOUNT FROZEN.

The lobby fell into a dead, suffocating silence.

Mrs. Gable blinked in shock, swiping it again. TRANSACTION DECLINED.

"What? That's impossible!" Tyler shouted, his face turning an angry shade of crimson. "Check your machine! My father is the CEO of Sterling Logistics! Swipe it again!"

"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Sterling," Mrs. Gable stammered, sweating profusely. "The central bank has completely locked this account. The transaction cannot proceed."

Maya stared at the machine in absolute disbelief, her mouth hanging open. The wealthy heir she had just jumped to was suddenly standing there with a useless piece of plastic.

The clock on the wall clicked to 11:55 PM.

Ryan stepped forward, smoothly pulling out his standard, faded debit card. He tapped it directly against the reader before Mrs. Gable could object. "Process Chloe Vance's tuition. Four thousand five hundred dollars. Full amount."

Mrs. Gable, still flustered, instinctively hit the execute key.

DING.

The machine chimed beautifully. A green light flashed: PAYMENT SUCCESSFUL. BALANCE OUTSTANDING: $0.00.

The printer sputtered, spitting out a official receipt. Ryan grabbed the paper, folding it neatly and sliding it into his pocket.

Tyler’s jaw dropped. Maya looked like she had just seen a ghost, her eyes darting between Ryan and the payment terminal. "Ryan... how... where did you get that kind of money? You were broke three hours ago!"

Ryan slung his backpack over his shoulder, looking at Tyler’s bright red face and then down at Maya’s pale one. He didn't offer a single word of explanation. He didn't need to. The sheer look of absolute horror and humiliation on their faces was more than enough.

"Thanks for letting me go first, Tyler," Ryan said smoothly, his voice echoing in the quiet lobby. "Enjoy your walk home."

Without looking back, Ryan turned on his heel and walked out into the cool night air, leaving the elite couple frozen in their own ruined pride.