The Debt Vision

1. Three Dollars and Seventy-Two Cents

The auction hall was half empty. Most of the seats were occupied by brokers, lawyers, and investigators looking for cheap acquisitions. The atmosphere was casual as people chatted over coffee, occasionally glancing at the assets listed on the screen.

But no one paid attention to Sebastian Kane as he sat in the last row. His dark suit had been expensive once, now it was just old.

The whispers started the moment he walked in.

“That's him.”

“The fraud investigator?”

“I heard they revoke his licence.”

“Good thing too. People like him make enemies everywhere.”

Sebastian heard every word but didn't react because over the past three months he had learned something important that defending himself changed nothing. The media had already convicted him yet the court or the evidence had not. But the public opinion was because it was cheaper to buy.

His fingers tightened around the bidder’s card as his jaws clenched. His eyes fixed on the card in his hand.

Number 117.

The only thing left in his bank account was three dollars and seventy - two cents. Yes, not three thousand or three hundred, just three dollars. The irony wasn't lost on him.

Five years ago, the companies paid him six figures to recover lost assets and now he couldn't even afford a lunch for himself.

Three months ago, Sebastian Kane had been one of the most respected recovery investigators in the city. He was the Blackstone's best investigator. Banks hired him when millions disappeared, Corporations called him when ownership records became impossible to trace.

His success rate was legendary inside the industry. People often joked that if Sebastian couldn't find an asset, then it didn't exist.

Then came the Hartwell case, the investigation that should have made his career. Instead, it destroyed it. The biggest corporate fraud investigation in company history. Everyone expects another victory.

Sebastian had uncovered evidence that nearly four hundred million dollars worth of corporate assets had been hidden through a chain of shell companies. The documents pointed toward powerful people. The Hartwell money trail didn't end with the Hartwell family. It lead to Graystone Logistics.

People whose name never appeared in newspapers and whose influence stretched far beyond Boardrooms.

Two days before he could submit his final report, the evidence vanished. Every file, every backup and every witness disappeared like they never existed. Someone hacks Blackstone's server.

To Sebastian's surprise, new evidence appeared carrying Sebastian's authorization code. The evidence claimed that he had stolen the assets himself.

He still remembered the look on Marcus Hale’s face that day as Marcus had been more than a boss to him.

He had been his mentor and almost his family yet when reporters gathered outside the company headquarters, Marcus not even once defended him.

Instead the man stood before cameras and announced that Blackstone Asset Recovery Group would fully cooperate with authorities.

That single statement buried Sebastian deeper than any accusation. His license was revoked, accounts were frozen and his long built reputation destroyed in a few moments.

The irony was the people responsible walked away untouched and to the public, Sebastian Kane wasn't a victim. He was a thief who simply hadn't been convicted yet.

The auctioneer’s voice echoed which brought Sebastian to reality as the auctioneer stepped onto the stage, shifting everyone's attention to him completely.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, let's begin.”

And with huge applause, the auction started as items started moving quickly one by one. Vehicles…storage units…equipment. The investors competed aggressively but Sebastian stayed silent because everything here was beyond his reach.

He wasn't here to buy anything but because he couldn't accept staying at home. If this was truly the end of his career, he wanted to watch it happen among people who respected him once.

A familiar voice suddenly echoed through the hall. “Well, if it isn't Sebastian Kane.”

Several heads turned as a man in an expensive navy suit approached him. He was Nathan Brooks, senior partner at Blackstone Asset Recovery group, his former colleague and friend but currently his enemy.

Nathan stopped beside Sebastian's seat and smiled like he was going to mock him again.

“I'm surprised they let you inside.”

A few nearby investors chuckled while Sebastian looked at him calmly. “I registered.”

“Still pretending everything is normal ?” Nathan laughed.

The room fell quiet as people present there love public humiliation especially when the victim used to matter.

Nathan crossed his arms. “You should've taken the settlement.”

“There was no settlement.”

“There could have been.”

Sebastian passed a faint smile, recalling the same offer he was offered before where he was being forced to admit himself guilty, then disappear quietly, protecting the powerful people.

“You know nobody believes your story anymore, right ?” Nathan lowered his voice.

Sebastian met his gaze. “I was not telling a story.”

The smile on Nathan's face faded slightly for a brief moment before it returned. “ Suit yourself.”

He glanced at the auction screen. “Just don't embarrass yourself by bidding with money you don't have.”

Laughter burst through the nearby seats as Nathan turned and walked away. The conversation lasted less than a minute but it accomplished exactly what Nathan wanted.

Now everyone was staring at Sebastian, watching him and judging but Sebastian sat back in silence.

Three months ago, Nathan wouldn't have dared speak to him that way as he had called him for his advice.

Funny how quickly people changed when time wasn't in your favor.

The auction continued. Lot after lot. Asset after asset. Then something unusual appeared as the people present suddenly lost their interest.

“Lot 87.” The auctioneer announced. “Unsecured debt portfolio. Original estimated value unavailable.”

The screen displayed a thin digital file. There was no property, no vehicles, no equipment. Just Old Debt. The one which everyone chooses to ignore. Several investors immediately looked away.

“Worthless.”

The auctioneer sighed. “Opening bid. Three dollars.”

No response but Sebastian frowned because something about the file felt strange. He checked the screen again. Debtor name was unavailable. The ownership chain was incomplete. The recovery probability was unknown. It seemed like a total mess and nobody wanted a mess.

“Three Dollars,” the auctioneer repeated. “Any bidders ?”

There was a pin dropping silence as the investors present there had already moved on and suddenly Sebastian raised his card. “Three Dollars.”

Several people glanced back at him in pure disbelief and few exchanged silent glances among each other. Nathan noticed it too as a smirk appeared on his face. Of course, only Sebastian would waste money on garbage.

The auctioneer nodded. “Three Dollars from bidder 117.”

There was no one competing, no one showing their interest and the gavel in the auctioneer’s hand lifted. “Going Once…Going Twice.”

Nathan's laughter echoed from across the room. “Perfect asset for a bankrupt man.”

Investors present there chuckled and the gavel came down.

“Sold.” The auctioneer’s voice echoed through the hall.

Sebastian exhaled slowly because almost everything he had was Three dollars which he now invested to buy this digital file.

The Digital file was transferred to his tablet and he opened it immediately. At first, nothing happened as he went through the pages. Just pages of legal records, old signatures, dead companies, incomplete ownership histories and then suddenly a sharp pain bursted behind his eyes and Sebastian froze.

The tablet slipped from his hand, the voices blurred behind as the room disappeared in front of his eyes.

A strange black screen filled his vision and silver bright words began appearing on the screen.

[ Debt Vision Activated ]

[ Scanning Asset…]

[Asset Identified ]

[Current Market Value : $3.00]

Sebastian's breath hitched and the words changed.

[ Current Recoverable Value : $47, 000,000]

His eyes widened and mouth fell open. Forty- Seven million ? That was impossible.

The screen shifted again as the final line appeared. And this time, for the first time in months, genuine shock crossed Sebastian Kane’s face.

[Warning.]

[Multiple parties are already searching for this asset.]

[One of them is approaching]