"One... One... One trillion?!!" James’s voice cracked with disbelief, the sound echoing through the suddenly hushed auction hall.
"One trillion going once!!" Britney’s sharp call sliced through the silence. An immediate tension gripped the room, every eye fixed on the unfolding drama.
"You!" Alex spat the word, his gaze a venomous glare.
’I will have to use my treasury!’ The thought was a desperate surge within him. Aloud, he roared, "1.5 trillion!!"
A ripple of murmurs spread through the attendees.
"Wow... Master Alex isn’t backing down."
"Yes... It seems he truly covets this orb."
"Christopher is going toe-to-toe with him, isn’t he afraid of Master Alex’s power?"
"This is both surprising and utterly captivating."
"But, what if Christopher wins this item only to be ambushed later?"
"Indeed! That’s a valid concern."
Christopher, a faint, predatory smile playing on his lips, savored the rising tension. ’Hehehe... This unfolding drama will serve my purposes well.’
"Master Alex." Christopher began, his voice calm yet carrying, "you are aware this is an open auction, allowing all attendees to participate in the bidding process—"
"—What in the blazes are you implying?!" Alex bellowed, his head snapping towards Christopher, fury etched on his features.
"You know," Christopher said smoothly, his smile widening slightly, "if I were to win this exquisite item, someone of your... Stature might be tempted to send unwelcome guests my way. My continued existence, you see, is rather important to me." He turned to Britney, his eyes twinkling. "Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Britney?"
Britney remained impassive, her focus seemingly distant. In reality, she was listening intently to the directives being relayed through the miniature earpiece concealed within her elaborate hairstyle.
A subtle nod was her only outward acknowledgment before she spoke into the microphone. "Master Christopher, the Sky Auction guarantees your safety. Should any untoward incident occur, the Sky Auction will address it directly and decisively!"
"Not only address it," Christopher countered, his voice laced with a deliberate weight, "but let it be known that if harm befalls me, the responsibility lies squarely with Master Alex. No other individual present possesses the capability to end my life."
"This?" Britney’s composure wavered for a fleeting moment, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.
["Just affirm his statement with a ’Yes’."] The crisp instruction echoed in her ear.
Composing herself, Britney offered Christopher a professional smile. "Indeed, Master Christopher. The Sky Auction will ensure your protection. However," she emphasized, her gaze locking onto his, "this safeguard extends for a period of forty-eight hours. Within that timeframe, it is expected that you will have utilized the acquired orb. Please take note."
"These privileges," she continued, her voice regaining its authoritative tone, "are contingent upon your successful acquisition of the item."
Christopher chuckled softly. "That, Miss Britney, can be readily arranged." He nodded decisively and then projected his voice across the hall:
A collective gasp swept through the room. Faces contorted in expressions ranging from utter shock to sheer disbelief, every gaze now fixed on the seemingly audacious bidder.
"What the actual—! Is he the one you were talking about, aunty?" Chaya whispered, turning wide eyes to Murphy, who offered a slow, knowing nod.
"No one here can outbid him, even if the price reached fifty trillion. He would willingly pay it for that orb," Murphy stated with unwavering certainty.
"You seem to know him." Chaya observed, her curiosity piqued.
"Of course, I know him. Who doesn’t?" Murphy replied, a hint of amusement in her tone.
"Three trillion?! Is my Master a prince of some wealthy family?" Advika murmured, her voice barely audible, her mind reeling from the sheer scale of such wealth.
"Such unimaginable riches! Is brother truly this wealthy?" Katherine whispered to herself, her brow furrowed in astonishment.
"My decision is firm. I am now convinced he is the Boss of all C+ companies," Adonis declared, a small, knowing smile gracing his lips.
"Three trillion, going once!!" Britney’s voice boomed across the hall, her eyes now intently focused on Alex, awaiting his response.
’Blast it all! How can anyone possess such obscene wealth?! Three trillion! His financial resources are beyond comprehension,’ Alex seethed inwardly, his jaw tight, his fists clenched so hard his knuckles turned white.
"Three trillion going twice!!"
Every head in the room, from the heads of the most influential families to the lowliest attendees, swiveled towards Alex, anticipation hanging heavy in the air. The silence stretched, thick and expectant. But Alex remained motionless, his lips sealed.
"Sold! To Master Christopher!!!" Britney announced triumphantly into the microphone, her voice ringing with finality. She then added, her tone imbued with genuine excitement, "Master Christopher, your winning bid has shattered the previous record for the highest transaction in Sky Auction history! In recognition of this extraordinary feat, you are hereby granted the esteemed status of a Sky Auction Special VIP! This coveted membership bestows upon you numerous exclusive privileges! For instance, you will receive previews of upcoming auction items and be granted the opportunity for private purchases!"
"Wow..." The collective gasp this time was one of pure awe and envy.
"So, Master Christopher," Britney continued, her professional demeanor returning, "will you be settling your payment now, or at a later time?"
"Now," Christopher stated simply, rising from his seat with an air of nonchalant confidence. He strolled towards the stage, his every movement drawing the rapt attention of the room.
"Master Christopher," Britney said as he approached, gesturing towards a female attendant who held a sleek, smartphone-like device, "given the unprecedented magnitude of your bid, we will forgo the standard transaction device. Instead, we will be utilizing this secure scanner."
"Simply place your designated card on the surface, and it will authenticate the payment," the attendant explained with a polite smile.
Christopher examined the device for a brief moment, then turned his gaze back to Britney. "I will require a fingerprint for authorization?" he inquired.
"Yes, Master Christopher," Britney confirmed with a warm smile.
"Ah... The fingerprint registered on this card is not my own," Christopher stated, his tone matter-of-fact.
A stunned silence descended upon the stage and rippled through the audience.
"Ah! Look at you!!" James erupted, leaping to his feet, his face contorted with indignation. "I knew it! You must have stolen the card! You probably coerced the owner for the PIN! Your true colors are finally showing!"
Britney remained silent, her eyes darting between the two men, her professional composure momentarily shaken.
"Yes!" Kelvin echoed, his voice sharp with accusation. "If you are the rightful owner, why isn’t your fingerprint linked to the card?!"
Christopher turned towards the two accusers, a disarming smile gracing his lips. "Because I didn’t register my fingerprint. I used my beast’s."
A wave of bewildered silence washed over James and Kelvin.
Christopher then turned back to the attendant and produced his card. The device emitted a soft beep as it scanned the magnetic strip. A fingerprint logo illuminated on the screen.
With a casual gesture, Christopher tapped the ring on his finger. A shimmering purple light erupted from it, coalescing into the form of a sleek, feline creature that gracefully landed on his shoulder.
"Cas," Christopher murmured.
Lucas, understanding the instruction, extended a delicate paw and placed it precisely on the illuminated fingerprint logo on the device.
A robotic voice announced, confirming the transaction.
’WOW! What an extraordinary individual, using his Beast’s paw as a biometric identifier... Absolutely no one would have ever conceived of such a thing!’ Britney mused, her initial shock giving way to impressed admiration.
"Hmph!" Alex scoffed, abruptly rising from his seat. He turned sharply and strode towards the main exit, his posture radiating displeasure.
Danzig, who had been seated a few rows behind him, also stood. He and Gabi exchanged a brief glance before following Alex out.
"Wait," Gabi said suddenly, pausing in her steps. She turned back to Danzig. "You two go ahead. I still have some matters to attend to with the Auction."
Danzig nodded his understanding and continued towards the exit, while Gabi retraced her steps to her vacated seat.
’Phew... It’s fortunate she decided to stay behind,’ Christopher thought, a sense of relief washing over him as he subtly stored the newly acquired orb within his ring.