The sun had already set when Jayden pulled up to the entrance of Arcadia Lounge, nestled on the city's elite crescent-clad, steel-gated venue that whispered power with every brick. The valet took his car wordlessly, recognizing the invite card in Jayden's hand.
Jayden had somehow managed to get that card by connecting to one of the workers of the lounge, but it hadn't cost him much since it was a bronze card—the lowest rank card of the event.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick with wealth and pride. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead like stars summoned to impress, while the gallery walls were lined with priceless artifacts and luxury collectibles... paintings, sculptures, even rare wines older than modern countries.
Jayden walked in dressed simply, an unbranded black suit and a silver wristwatch. No labels, no flash. Just precision. Power in understatement.
He was out of place.
And yet... he wasn't.
All eyes didn't land on him.
Not yet... but they would.
Because tonight wasn't about appearance.
It was about power.
And Jayden had come prepared to make a statement.
"I heard Marcos Noah is here tonight," a voice whispered nearby. "The guy who made over ten million in three months flipping private islands."
"Didn't he crash a Lambo into a swimming pool just for fun?" someone else added.
Jayden sipped the complimentary champagne without flinching. He already noticed Marcos, a man with a glimmering smile, sharp jawline, and a designer outfit probably worth more than Melinda's entire café.
Marcos was loud. Laughing at everything, boasting about his recent yacht purchase, and exaggerating stories of stock market conquests that made him sound like the second coming of George Tillman.
George Tillman was currently the richest man in the world.
Jayden gave him a short glance and could only shrug. While the young man ranted and boasted about everything with the gold-diggers surrounding him, Jayden remained calm.
Soon, what Jayden had predicted turned out to be right—but not exactly.
Luka Vane stepped into the lounge but wasn't with his friends. He quickly noticed Jayden at once as he made his way to his uncle, Kurtis Vane, and frowned.
"The hell are you doing here, you son of a bitch?" Luka muttered when he got close, but no one seemed to have heard him.
Only Jayden.
However, Jayden only smiled and replied inwardly:
'To complete my task!'
While they waited for the auction to begin, Marcos Noah didn't stop blabbering.
"Just got my third penthouse last week. I needed a new view for breakfast. My old one faced east... Sun's too harsh."
Laughter rippled around him—forced, but entertained.
"Let's see who dares to challenge me tonight," he smirked, sipping the wine in the tumbler. "This collection belongs to the bold."
Again, Jayden shrugged without sparing a glance.
The auction began within minutes, and it started with less valuable items that only cost tens of thousands of dollars. Jayden patiently waited... He knew engaging in these types wouldn't leave much impression.
He didn't just want to complete the task anyway—he wanted to make the crowd turn their heads in awe when he left.
Marcos Noah had even outbid some competitors from the start, drawing a lot of attention from all corners. Of course, almost everyone knew him...
He would always want to show himself to the world wherever he was.
...
At the topside balcony inside the lounge, Mr. Jordan and Kurtis Vane could be seen staring down at the hall as they watched the scene.
It wasn't time for the main action yet, but they were actually welcomed to enjoy the party.
Kurtis gave Marcos a slight look of disgust from above, turning to Mr. Jordan.
"He's been yapping all year... I'm definitely going to kick his balls if he doesn't act up to his balance," Kurtis said.
"Mm-hmm, guys like him end up getting smacked in the face in a hard way. Let's see how it goes," Mr. Jordan replied.
...
Soon, the show was already getting more interesting, and figures filled the air. The millionaires began to show themselves, and the ladies—the rich ones, actually—were not left out of the party as well.
It got to a point when Jayden's interest was caught.
"Item Twelve," the announcer declared, "a custom-crafted Rolex, a one-of-a-kind piece designed by the top San-Ro brothers. It features gold layering over diamond-studded titanium, reinforced for durability but crafted for prestige. A true power symbol worn by only real, young, verified millionaires."
The room stirred.
Jayden's eyes narrowed. It was sharp-looking, bold, and dignified. This was no ordinary Rolex wristwatch... It was status in physical form. Owning it meant something, especially in this crowd.
"Starting bid: $100,000!"
"I'll take it at a hundred and fifty!" a voice rang confidently from the front.
All eyes turned to a broad-shouldered man with a polished jawline and a wine glass in hand... Marcos Noah. He stood as if the whole auction were beneath him.
"That's Marcos," someone whispered behind Jayden. "Real estate boss. Loudmouth."
"I hear he's always bragging about buying people out of their homes like it's chess."
Another voice sounded from the side, followed by indistinct murmurs.
Jayden stayed silent, watching.
"Two hundred thousand," a lady in white gloves offered.
"Three hundred thousand," Marcos fired back, smirking.
Jayden waited, a smile crossing his lips.
"Four hundred thousand!" a dark, chubby man suddenly stood up. "Sit down!"
He glared at Marcos as he pointed at him.
"Five hundred thousand," Marcos gave an intimidating smile and said. "No, sir. You should sit down."
"Five hundred and fifty thousand!" the dark man roared back almost angrily. Surely, he was one of those people who were sick and tired of Marcos's bragging.
"Six hundred," Marcos smirked. "Are you going to sit down now?"
At that point, the dark man's voice died down, noticing that Marcos wouldn't be giving up soon—or ever. Perhaps this man wasn't just bragging... perhaps he was actually very rich.
The dark man, with looks of shame on his face, couldn't help but sit back, and a short session of laughter rose.
By the time the price hit $650,000, the room had thinned. Many of the potential bidders fell back, sipping their drinks, waiting for the next item. Only Marcos kept raising his card, laughing under his breath.
"Seven hundred thousand!" he said. "Don't waste time now... Bring it to me. I'm the final boss... Haha."
Marcos boasted...
But suddenly...
"Eight hundred thousand!"
A few heads turned when a calm, unfamiliar voice cut through.
It was Jayden.
Marcos paused for a second, then chuckled. "Eight-fifty."
"Nine hundred thousand," Jayden returned.
A little louder now. Firmer.
The crowd perked up.
...
Kurtis Vane, seated in the special guest row above, leaned in slightly. "Who's that kid?" he asked one of his men, noticing the young man who was clearly in his early twenties.
"No idea, sir," the man replied.
But then Luka suddenly approached them and responded.
"That's Jayden... He's my mate on campus. Just suddenly got rich with no one knowing how... Got himself a McLaren Sabre a few days ago and a rich crush."
"Well, don't stop it. Let the fool Marcos get humbled," Kurtis gave Luka a nod and replied.
...
"Nine hundred and fifty thousand!" Marcos barked, growing impatient.
Jayden nodded toward the auctioneer. "One million."
The room broke into awe.
Gasps. Murmurs. A woman dropped her wineglass.
Jayden looked calm, almost detached.
Marcos clenched his jaw. "One million and fifty thousand!"
Jayden raised his paddle again.
"One point one million," he said calmly.
Gasps arose, followed by clear silence. Even the auctioneer paused. Then he looked at Marcos, eyes searching for the next move.
Everyone stared.
Marcos froze.
His smile trembled. Sweat dotted his brow. He swallowed hard and tried to laugh it off. "Ah... I didn't bring my second card tonight. Might have to pass... I uh—I'll get the next one."
The truth was that Marcos was done. It didn't look like Jayden was stopping with the way things were going. The young man was serious in his bids with those tones of action.
If Marcos bid more than he could pay, he would end up getting f*cked in public.
He had to drop his shoulders this time—though he was shamed... really.
"Going once..." the host said slowly.
Marcos remained frozen.
"Going twice…"
Jayden didn't blink.
"Sold! For one point one million to paddle 093."
Applause erupted—not loud, but respectful.
...
And in the balcony, Kurtis Vane laughed softly. "Interesting... He just bled Marcos dry."
"It feels good, haha!" Mr. Jordan laughed as well, both captivated by the drama downstairs.
...
The payment personnel approached Jayden shortly after the golden Rolex was packaged, and Jayden processed the payment, transferring one million and one hundred thousand dollars swiftly.
And when they formally walked forward to present what he bought...
"Nah, keep it. I've got more expensive jewels in the safe that I don't even wear," Jayden said with a faint yet bold smile on his face as he stood and walked out.
Okay, that was a lie... for now.
The entire gathering had their mouths widely agape the moment they noticed what he just did.
Marcos's eyes almost popped out.
However, Jayden was just calm as he walked away majestically like a lion who had just come to show off in the midst of stranded tigers.
...
"What a guy! Look at that aura!" Mr. Jordan shouted in amazement.
"Hey, you!" Kurtis called one of his bodyguards and brought out a black card from his suit pocket. "Give this to him. Tell him I'm highly impressed!"
The bodyguard nodded and followed Jayden at once.
...
While Jayden stepped outside the lounge and was just about to enter his car, the bodyguard approached him.
"Mr. Kurtis Vane said I should give you this. He said he is highly impressed, and you should do well to contact him within the week," the bodyguard stated.
Got it. Send my appreciations. I shall take my leave," Jayden smiled and entered his car.
The bodyguard happened to bow slightly with respect before walking away. And with a more-than-intense smile emerging on Jayden's face, he drove off the venue with pride.
[Mission #006 Completed!]
[You have been rewarded $5,000,000. It would be sent to your account shortly.]
[You have gained +3 Reputation, +2 Charisma, +2 Confidence, and 1 Wealth Point.]
[You have obtained a title: The Challenger.]
[Title advantage has increased your cash rewards by 2.]
[You have been rewarded $10,000,000.]
[Title advantage has increased your attribute rewards by 2.]
[You have gained +6 Reputation, +4 Charisma, and +4 Confidence.]
"WHO-OOH! I'm rich!"
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[A/N: Thanks for your support. Let's keep on going. 100 power stones, two extra chapters!]