CHAPTER 65: BREAKING NEWS

Each time the price neared the systems revealed worth, he adjusted his bid with expert precision, never letting the tension show on his face. His eyes, however, were sharp, watching every flicker of frustration pass over Joe Hart’s face.

Valerie’s bid was tactical, distracting the others from realizing just how coordinated this silent dance was. Finally, the moment came. The price edged dangerously close to the true worth, the competition bristling with last-minute aggression. Joe Hart’s jaw tightened in frustration and more relevant irritation.

Maximus raised his paddle one last time with a x calm and hurried demeanor, yet his gaze locked with Joe’s in a way that made it clear there would be no victory for anyone else tonight.

"Sold!"

The gavels crack was final, slicing through the air. A few murmurs rippled through the crowd, speculation already forming about the young man who bested some of the city’s sharpest bidders twice in a single night.

Maximus’s expression didn’t change, though the faintest gleam of satisfaction flickered in his eyes. Beside him, Valerie allowed herself the smallest smile, leaning back in her chair as if she’d just watched a perfectly executed play.

Maximus acknowledged that he was getting increasingly popular amongst the audience in the auction event, while that might look like a good thing, in this case it was not... instead of looking at him with respect and admiration, most of the elites were glaring at him with anger and irritation wondering how a small investor like him was able to outsmart and outbid them.

He had one more strike for his skill that day, but he knew when to back out from a fight so as not to create more problems for himself. He’s still a growing investor who already has a target on his back as in Joe Hart and he wouldn’t want more of that.

"I think I am satisfied for the night..." he whispered to Valerie.

She nodded to him and asked if he would very much like to leave now, to which he replied with a simple nod.

»»»«««

The rest of the evening blurred into the dim, golden glow of streetlights as Maximus guided Valerie back to his car. The adrenaline from the auction still simmered in his chest, the weight of the Pharaoh’s ring resting securely in his pocket like a silent victory. Valerie sat beside him, her legs crossed, head tilted just enough for him to catch the curve of her smile.

"Twice in one night, Max," she teased softly, "you’re either crazy or a genius."

He chuckled under his breath. "Maybe both."

By the time they reached her estate, the air between them had shifted—thicker, warmer, laced with an unspoken pull. She invited him in without hesitation, her fingers lingering on his wrist as she closed the door to her room behind them.

Inside, the room was bathed in a soft amber light, casting shadows that danced across the walls. Valerie moved with deliberate slowness, her gaze never leaving his. Her lips curved into that faint, knowing smirk that always made his pulse quicken.

She stepped close, the scent of her perfume wrapping around him like silk. "Stay a while," she murmured, almost as if daring him to say no.

The next moments blurred—his jacket slipping from his shoulders, her hands brushing against his chest, her breath hot against his neck. He kissed her, and she melted into it, her arms winding around his neck as if afraid he might slip away.

Somewhere between her soft gasps and the heat of her skin against his, Maximus felt the last strands of restraint snapping. She guided him toward the bed, her eyes half-lidded, cheeks flushed.

"Max..." she whispered, the sound a mixture of plea and invitation.

He was right there—right at the precipice, his body aligning with hers, the world narrowing down to just the heat between them—when his phone buzzed sharply against the nightstand.

The name Zack lit up the screen.

Maximus froze, breath caught in his throat. Valerie’s brows knit in faint confusion, but she didn’t speak. The vibration came again, this time followed by a short, urgent text.

His eyes scanned the words, and instantly, the haze of desire burned away, replaced by a sharp, cold focus.

"I... have to go," he said, voice low but firm.

"What?" Valerie sat up slightly, her hair spilling over her shoulder, eyes wide. "Right now?"

He was already on his feet, grabbing his jacket. "I’ll explain later."

And before she could stop him, before she could even process the sting of the moment, the door closed behind him—leaving her sitting there, breathless, flushed, and wanting far more than she got.

»»»«««

The sun filtered through the towering glass windows of the mansion, casting golden streaks across the polished marble floors.

Maximus sat cross legged on the plush carpet of the living room, leaning against the edge of a sleek, low profile couch.

Across from him, Zack mirrored his posture, though with a glass wine lazily swirling in his hand.

The mansion was alive with movement unlike before. Maids swept through the halls with quiet efficiency, their footsteps barely audible as the carried trays of breakfast dishes and fresh linens.

Butlers moved with practiced ease, ensuring everything remained in perfect order.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mixing with the faint traces of expensive cologne and the morning’s crisp atmosphere.

Maximus exhaled, watching as Zack took another slow sip of wine, savoring it like a man who had just conquered an empire.

"This," Zack sighed contentedly, leaning back against the couch, "is the life."

Maximus smirked but didn’t respond right away.

He wasn’t the type to be easily impressed by wealth, but even he had to admit, there was something to be said for the ease of having everything at his fingertips.

He had finally accepted the luxury that came with his more recent success, something he had resisted for far too long.

Still, there were more important matters to deal with.

Zack set his drink down on the sleek glass coffee table between them, the clink barely audible over the distant sounds of activity in the mansion.

His relaxed posture shifted slightly, and his sharp eyes locking onto Maximus.

"So," he said, stretching his arms over his head before cracking his knuckles, "Have you thought about the launch?"

Maximus exhaled, rubbing his temples. He had just gone through gruesome auction war the night before and right when he was about to have a steamy night with Valerie Sawyer, Zack texted him, giving him a massive update about his resort investment.

Since he went to go see his family after his date with Dressa Morgan, he had been somewhat distracted from his other investments and he was suddenly feeling like he was loosing track.

"Yeah, we need to start moving forward with finalizing everything."

The upcoming launch of the resort wasn’t just another business move, it was an empathetic statement in Maximus investment journey.

Maximus had worked too hard to leave anything to chance.

Zack leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, and his expression more serious now. "Alright, lets break it down. First off, the guest list. that’s priority number freaking one."

Maximus nodded, seeing an opportunity here. He had planned over the night to use the launch as an avenue to resell the items he had gotten from the auction event the previous night. "High profile investors, influencers, people with reach. We need the kind of crowd that can put this place on the map overnight."

Zack pulled out his phone, scrolling through his contacts. "I’ve got a few names in mind. Some major players in the hospitality industry, a couple of socialites. You know, the kind of people who post one picture and make a place go freaking viral."