The Debt Vision

2. The Worthless Debt

Sebastian stared at the glowing words floating before his eyes as they remained there, not moving or disappearing which was impossible.

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

His heart was hammering against his ribcage. For a moment, he thought he might be having a breakdown. The last three months had been brutal enough to drive anyone over the edge.

The public disgrace…the professional ruin…friends disappearing one by one so a hallucination wouldn't be surprising for him yet the words remained there clear and real.

“Sir ?” A voice snapped him back to reality.

He looked around as the auction hall returned, the lights, the crowd and the noise, everything.

A young employee stood beside him holding the tablet he had dropped. “Are you alright?”

Sebastian accepted it. “I'm fine.”

The employee hesitated as his gaze lingered. He was not looking concerned but curious like someone observing an incident.

“Security said if you're feeling unwell, there are seats outside.”

Sebastian understood the hidden meaning behind his words now as they wanted him gone. The employee wasn't checking on him. He was just politely asking him to leave.

Before Sebastian could respond, laughter bursted nearby while Nathan Brooks was watching everything.

“Careful,” Nathan called out loudly. “Maybe the excitement of spending your last three dollars was too much.”

Several investors laughed while some mocked but Sebastian ignored them completely.

Nathan seemed disappointed by the lack of reaction. He wanted some more.

Sebastian lowered his eyes toward the tablet as the debt file remained open. There were dozens of pages, old legal documents, ownership transfers , bankruptcy records. Nothing was extraordinary, nothing worth forty - seven million dollars. Then something changed as the words appeared again in front of his eyes. This time directly over the document.

A section of text began glowing faintly as Sebastian froze. Page thirty- two..one paragraph…one signature…one company name…Graystone Logistics.

His mind immediately recalled the past memory of Graystone Logistics, which went bankrupt twelve years ago and completely dissolved or at least that was the official story.

A sudden shiver ran down his spine as he felt something was not right. The highlighted paragraph referenced a secured asset. The asset which was never mentioned again not even once in the remaining documents or bankruptcy summary, not anywhere. Like almost someone had intentionally removed it.

“Interesting.” The voice came from behind as Sebastian turned.

An old investor stood nearby him wearing a silver watch that cost more than Sebastian's former monthly salary. The man glanced at the debt file and smiled. “ You're actually reading it.”

Sebastian said nothing in response while the investor chuckled. “You always were diligent.”

The sudden compliment surprised him. “You know me?”

“Everyone in asset recovery knew you.” The man paused.

“Knew” Sebastian murmured as he understood the subtle difference.

The investor continued. “Shame what happened.”

The sympathy in his voice lasted for a second and then his smile widened. “But I suppose that's what happens when people forget their place.”

The surrounding who were listening to their conversations laughed but Sebastian stayed silent as there was no sign of anger on his face but only disappointment.

Three months ago, this same man would have spoken differently. Now he understood that success created respect and failure revealed character.

The investor leaned closer. “A little advice.” His tone became softer. “ Sell that debt file.”

Sebastian frowned. “Why?”

The old man shrugged. “Three Dollars isn't a life changing investment.”

The whole room echoed with the other investor's laughter present there.

“Maybe somebody will pay you five.”

Nathan nearly choked on his coffee while Sebastian closed the tablet. The investor mistook silence for his defeat as he walked away looking satisfied.

Minutes later the auction ended and people began leaving. A group of investors gathered near the exit discussing deal worth millions.

Nobody was noticing Sebastian except Nathan Brooks as the man blocked his path. “You know.” Nathan said casually. “ I almost admire your persistence.”

Sebastian stopped as Nathan's smile widened. “Most people would've left the city by now.”

“Most people didn't do anything wrong.”

The smile vanished from Nathan's face for a second as he recovered quickly. “Still telling yourself that?”

“You seem very interested in what I tell myself.”

Nathan's eyes narrowed. For the first time that afternoon, Sebastian had landed a clean hit enough to annoy him.

“Believe whatever helps you sleep.” Nathan laughed and stepped aside. And then added one final sentence yet the cruelest one.

“Just don't confuse survival with dignity.”

Sebastian left without answering and walked away. The rain was continuously pouring outside. His apartment was forty minutes away on foot. Normally he'd take a bus. Today, he couldn't spare the fare because three dollars and seventy - two cents was all that he owned.

A bitter smile touched his lips as he recalled three months ago he reviewed transactions worth hundreds of millions and now he was just counting coins.

He witnessed businessmen rushing toward meetings, cars moving, students rushing to colleges and jobs but nobody noticed him.

Halfway home his phone vibrated with an unknown number flashing on screen.

Sebastian answered. “Hello?”

A woman's voice responded like a professional. “Mr. Kane?”

“Who's this?”

“My name is Sarah Whitemore. I'm calling regarding the debt file you acquired today.”

Sebastian stopped walking as his grip tightened around the phone. “How did you get this number?”

There was a brief silence and then she answered. “That's not important.” the woman continued. “I'd like to buy the asset.”

Sebastian looked around and suddenly noticed the surroundings felt different. “How much?”

“$100,000.”

His heart skipped a beat the moment he heard one hundred thousand dollars in exchange for something he purchased for three dollars.

The traffic noise disappeared while the rain vanished for him as everything now narrowed to that single number yet before he could respond, the glowing words appeared again in front of his eyes.

[ Warning ]

[Do not sell.]

[True value not yet achieved]

Sebastian's breathing slowed while the woman on the other side of the call was waiting patiently for his response,staying silent.

“No.” Finally he spoke.

The answer surprised even him as the woman's tone changed instantly and the politeness she used earlier vanished completely.

“Mr.Kane. This is a very generous offer.”

“I'm not interested.”

The conversation fell silent and when the lady spoke again, there was no friendliness left in her voice but only certainty.

“Then I suggest you keep a close eye on that file.”

The call ended without waiting for his response as Sebastian lowered the phone. The glowing words flickered once more and a new message appeared this time.

Only one line, enough to make his blood run cold.

[Three separate groups are now competing for ownership]

[ One of them has already located your address. ]