Chapter 5%
On the screen, the balance that had read “O” just seconds ago suddenly flickered–then began to climb. First to three digits. Then four. Six. Eight. The numbers surged upward like a rising tide, climbing with terrifying speed until they halted–staggeringly–in the billions.”
Gasps echoed around the room.
Bang!
The auctioneer knocked over the microphone in his shock. He clutched the table for support, his face as pale as paper.
“This… This is impossible!” he stammered. “How could anyone raise that much capital in such a short time?!”
The security guards who had been approaching me stopped in their tracks. One of them slowly took a step back.
I offered a polite, almost amused smile. “Apologies. The large transfer took a little longer to approve than I anticipated. I’ve made a bit of a scene, haven’t I?”
Around me, disbelief rippled through the audience like wildfire. Some slumped back into their seats in stunned silence. Others could barely close their jaws.
I looked back at the auctioneer. “So–may I now keep my bids open for all three hundred sixty–five photos?“}
His hands trembled as he wiped cold sweat from his brow. “Yes. Of course. Ahem… Number 38 keeps her bid open!”
The crowd erupted in a full–blown uproar.}
The man who had mocked me earlier now looked like he’d seen a ghost. His face went pale, sweat forming along his hairline. He had wealth, sure–but compared to the number displayed on that screen, he was nothing more than a child playing banker with toy coins. And the way he had mocked me earlier? That memory clearly stung now.
“She was bankrupt!‘s
“Where did she get that money? Did Mr. Willis lie to us?“}
“Maybe she had a hidden backer all along…“}
“No way! Who could outrank Mr. Willis?”
Ignoring them, I rose from my seat and walked steadily toward Brandon. The clicking of my heels against the floor echoed with finality. When I reached his seat, I raised my hand high and brought it down across his face with a sharp-
Slap!Z
The sound rang out like a whipcrack. Brandon’s head turned slightly from the force, his expression still and unreadable.
I stared coldly into his eyes. “Secretly took photos of me?“}
He had no time to respond before my hand came down again, striking the other cheek.
Slap!!
*Secretly recorded videos of me?“}
As I raised my hand for the third strike, a petite figure suddenly lunged between us.
“Leia! Don’t!”
Slap!2
Maisy took the hit instead. Her face twisted and the force of the slap sent her stumbling straight into Brandon’s arms. “Maisy!” Brandon shouted, panic flaring across his face for the first time tonight.
She had only been slapped once–but from the way she collapsed, you’d think lightning had struck her.
