THE HIDDEN HEIR'S VENGEANCE

CHAPTER 8 : PRICE TO PAY

Matthew’s hand finally moved. He snatched the bidding paddle from Viviane’s grip with a motion that was gentle yet firm.

"Going once, fifteen mill..."

Matthew raised the paddle. As he opened his mouth, a sharp pain struck him. It felt like a hot needle stabbing directly into his brainstem. This was the ARC System’s mechanism reacting to an unreasonable request.

Matthew suppressed a grimace behind a stone-faced expression. "One hundred million dollars," he said. He didn't shout. His calm voice cut through the air like a lightning bolt, a stark contrast to the cold sweat beginning to soak his back.

Total silence swept the room. The auctioneer, poised to strike his gavel, nearly dropped it. Every head turned in unison toward Matthew.

"W-what?" the auctioneer stammered. His glasses nearly slid off his nose. "I beg your pardon, Sir. Did I hear one hundred million?"

"You aren't deaf," Matthew replied casually. He crossed his legs to hide the slight tremor in his hands caused by the system’s neural recoil. "One hundred million dollars. Cash."

"Insane!" Reginald shouted. His face turned crimson as he leaped from his seat. "This is fraud! Lane Corp doesn't have that kind of money. It’s auction sabotage. Check his finances. Kick him out!"

Viviane went deathly pale, looking as if her soul had been ripped from her body. She clutched the sleeve of Matthew’s suit. "Matt! What are you doing? We’ll go to prison for fraud!"

"Calm down, Honey," Matthew said without looking at her. Aggressive blue text flashed across his retina, demanding payment for the requested miracle.

[WARNING : TIER-1 FUND ACCESS FORCED.]

[CONSEQUENCES LOCKED : NEURAL SHOCK & 2% VITALITY REDUCTION.]

[ACTIVATING EMERGENCY TACTICAL FUNDS : $100,000,000.]

[SOURCE : CLASS A ANONYMOUS BEARER BONDS.]

[STATUS : INJECTED.]

The metallic taste of blood rose in Matthew’s throat, but he swallowed it back down.

At the front podium, the auctioneer’s monitor blinked red before turning a bright green. A financial verification officer trotted over and whispered something to the auctioneer, his face pale.

The auctioneer swallowed hard. He looked at Matthew with a mixture of respect and fear.

"Mr. Holt, please calm down," the auctioneer said into the microphone. "We have received verification of an automatic deposit from an anonymous consortium represented by Mr. Thomas. The funds are valid. Very valid."

"Impossible!" Reginald roared.

"The bid stands at one hundred million dollars," the auctioneer continued, his voice trembling with excitement. "Mr. Holt? Do you wish to bid one hundred and one million?"

Reginald froze. Beads of sweat the size of corn kernels dripped from his forehead. Matthew stared at him. Thanks to the ARC System, Matthew could see red numbers floating above Reginald’s head. They displayed his liquidity data and short-term debt.

“Remember your casino, Reg,” Matthew’s gaze seemed to say. “You only have eighty-five million in liquidity. If you bid one hundred and one million, you’ll have to pull operational funds from Nevada. The bank will find out. Your project will be seized by tomorrow morning.”

Reginald realized it was a trap. The one hundred million figure wasn't random. It was a death toll calculated with precision by the system.

"Damn you, Thomas," Reginald hissed, his voice hoarse. He threw his paddle to the floor, snapping it in two. "Take the damn land!"

Reginald turned and stormed out of the room, bumping into several people on his way.

"One hundred million dollars, going once... going twice…," said the auctioneer as he swept his gaze across the room.

"Sold! To Mr. Matthew Thomas of Lane Corporation!"

Polite but confused applause filled the room. Viviane remained frozen, staring at Matthew as if her husband were an alien. "One hundred million... where... Matt, where did you get one hundred million dollars in funding?"

Matthew stood up. He swayed slightly but quickly steadied himself. He buttoned his jacket to hide the tightness in his chest.

"From the future, Vie," Matthew answered mysteriously. He used a handkerchief to wipe away a drop of blood that was about to escape his nose. "Let's go. We need to leave before this adrenaline wears off."

They walked out. In the lobby, Reginald Holt was waiting by his car, looking disheveled. When he saw Matthew, he spat on the floor.

"This isn't over, Thomas! You may have won today, but I will destroy you!"

Matthew ushered Viviane into the car first, then approached Reginald.

"You asked who I am?" Matthew whispered softly. He leaned in close enough for Reginald to see the burst blood vessels in his eyes. It was the mark of the price he had paid.

"I am the man who just bought the grave for your career, Mr. Holt," Matthew whispered, patting Reginald’s shoulder twice. The taps felt heavy. "And I never forget a debt. Especially regarding the land you tried to steal from the dead."

Without waiting for a reply, Matthew slipped into the Mercedes-Maybach. The door closed, and the car sped away. Inside the vehicle, Matthew’s defenses crumbled. He coughed violently, clutching his throbbing head.

"Matt?! Are you sick?" Viviane shrieked in panic.

"Just... a little dizzy. Too much tension," Matthew lied and leaning back weakly.

Behind his closed eyelids, the hologram panel reappeared. This time it glowed with a golden light, signifying compensation for the pain he had endured.

[MISSION COMPLETE : SECURE MONOLITH LAND.]

[CONSEQUENCE REPORT ; Cost : Physical Vitality reduced (Recovery: 24 Hours) & Debt Status: Bond Interest active (Timer: 30 Days).]

[REWARDS RECEIVED ; XP : 5,000 Points & LEVEL UP : Tier 1 Fund Access Unlocked (Daily Limit: $10 Million).]

[SPECIAL ITEM : "Arcology" Blueprint (Future Monolith land development blueprint).]

[NEW SKILL : Eye of Valuation Lv. 1 (Ability to instantly view asset value and opponent liquidity).]

Matthew managed a faint smile through the pain. The physical suffering was worth it. With this land and the blueprint from the system, he held the key to the city's future.

"Perfect," Matthew murmured softly.

"What is perfect?" Viviane asked, still anxious.

Matthew opened his eyes. He looked up at the New York sky with a new gaze. It was the look of a predator that had just acquired its fangs.

"Everything, Honey. This is just the beginning."