CHAPTER 63: AUCTION EVENT ARC 7

A wave of recognition moved through the Sawyer family section. Victor Sawyer leaned back in his seat, studying Maximus with mild surprise. The Sawyer matriarch’s together with an unreadable glint in her eyes.

The bidding climbed, two million, two point one, two point two and so on. Voices from all corners of the room stepping in and bowing out like a slow, elegant duel.

Two point three, two point four.

By the time it hit three point one million, the initial bloom of paddles has withered down to just a handful: Maximus, the Sawyer matriarch herself, a heavyset man in a commanders uniform whom Maximus didn’t recognize, and a hawk faced collector from the East seated near the back.

Valerie was watching him now with a mix of fascination and thrill. He wasn’t sweating or fidgeting, he was still, with a cold presence in a room full of restless money.

Three point two. Three point three.

With every bid, Maximus cut down the competition. The heavy set man bowed out. But, the collector hesitated, then leaned back in his chair in defeat.

It was now down to him and the Sawyer matriarch.

Three point five million.

The room was locked in a spell now. Even the servers paused in their glide between tables.

"Three point six," Maximus said.

A faint smile ghosted across the matriarch’s face , not quite conceding but also not challenging. Then, slowly, her paddle lowered.

Valerie grinned, "oh my God you’ve got it," she whispered.

But the smile hadn’t even formed in Maximus’s face before another voice, lazy and deep rang out from the far side of the hall.

"Four million dollars."

The crowd’s collective attention swiveled towards where the voice came from. It was Joe Hart.

He was leaning back in his chair near the car left corner, his paddle raised, a smug smirk carved into his face. His gaze locked onto Maximus like a predator enjoying a chase.

Maximus’s jaw tightened. Valerie’s hand brushed against his under the table, the faintest squeeze that meant he shouldn’t take the bait.

But it was for too late for Maximus to back down now, he had already used one strike of his Eye Of Apollo skill, and backing out now would be a huge waste.

Joe tipped his head slightly, that grin never fading, "what’s the matter kid? Out of your depth?"

The auctioneer looked between them, sensing the duel about to ignite, holding both fist in the air showing that he’s not thinking of reaching for his gavel to seal the auction.

"Four million, from the gentleman in the corner. Do I hear four point one?"

"Four point one million," Maximus says, his voice cutting through the murmurs.

Joe Hart’s smirk deepened, as he was extremely quick to drop another counter. "Four point five!"

The auctioneer reached for his gavel and squeezed it tight, indicating that he himself was satisfied with the bid and if Maximus didn’t introduce another inciting amount in the next few seconds, he would loose this bidding war.

Valerie leaned closer, "Max... don’t. Since my grandmother has backed out, it’s no good fighting for it. You’ll only make enemies you don’t need".

He didn’t answer her. He didn’t want to tell her that Joe Hart had already started a cold war with him and their was no way he was going to back out.

His eyes flickered to the semi transparent Investment God System interface only he could see, glowing faintly in the corner of his vision.

His brow furrowed, "Four point six," Maximus said flatly.

Joe’s paddle rose instantly. "Five million."

Valerie sighed in exasperation, as she started noticing her grandmother and other members of the Sawyer family eye her and her supposed ’fiance’.

"You’re seriously doing this?"

He gave her the faintest grin without taking his eyes off Joe. "Yes,"

"Five point two," Maximus said.

"Five point five!" Joe Hart fired back with a relaxed smirk starting to tighten at the edges of his lips.

The murmurs in the crowd was palpable, Maximus could feel all the eyes in the hall heaving down on him, checking, watching to see if he would counter... At this point, it was starting to get entertaining; the back and forth between the two caused the elite to turn their heads to and fro for each alternating bid like they were watching a game of lawn tennis.

The crowd was leaning in, hungry for blood. They could see it that this wasn’t no casual auction.

"Five point seven," Maximus said with an unwavering voice.

And for the first time, Joe hesitated for a couple seconds before snapping back, "Six million dollars!"

Valerie’s have brushed his arm. "That’s it! He’s fucking serious, let it go Maximus."

But he didn’t listen, he was determined to not let this pass by. He saw it, the micro twich in Joe’s jaw, the slight way his fingers gripped his paddle tighter. That was the look of man overextending himself.

Maximus’ smirk bloomed slowly. "Six million... five hundred thousand... and one dollar."

A ripple of surprised laughter moved through the room.

Joe’s eyes flared with irritation. He opened his mouth... then closed it. His paddle sank back down to the table.

The auctioneer’s voice rang out with finality.

"Six point five million and one dollar, going once... going twice..."

CRACK!

"Sold!"

The gavel hit wood, sealing the victory.

Maximus leaned back, cool and calm, while Joe Hart’s glare could have burned a hole through him from across the room.

Valerie shook her head, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "You’re insane."

"Maybe," Maximus murmured, eyes still on Joe. "But I’m richer by one very important necklace."

Indeed he was, and most importantly he didn’t waste the Skill strike. Also he bought the item below the valued price and would resell it above the valued price to gain a massive profit.

He stared at Joe intensively, knowing fully well that Joe wasn’t prepared to back down, not by any stretch of his imagination.

But, he had two more items to seize and Joe on the other hand hadn’t spent a dime yet, it was almost as if he came to the auct

ion event solely to prevents Maximus from purchasing anything.

"How petty..." Maximus murmured to himself.