Today was the day of the Municipal Land Auction. While everyone else in the grand auction hall had spent the past week buttering up bank managers and local officials for backing, I walked into the room fully prepared in a way none of them could have ever anticipated.
As the attendees took their seats, the auctioneer stepped up to the podium and cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome! We will begin today’s bidding with Plot No. 2."
Almost no one in the room showed any interest in Plot 2, treating it like worthless wasteland.
"Starting bid for Plot No. 2 is 500 million Stardollars!" the auctioneer announced.
I lazily raised my paddle. "510 million."
Silence swept over the room. No one countered my bid, and a few businessmen nearby even scoffed, whispering among themselves about the ’clueless young man wasting money on useless dirt.’
"Sold to Mr. Vance for 510 million Stardollars!"
"Moving on to our next item," the auctioneer declared, "Plot No. 3! Starting bid is 500 million Stardollars."
"510 million," I called out again immediately.
Once again, not a single person raised a paddle to compete against me. Just like that, I secured two massive plots—each possessing a real underlying commercial value of at least 1.5 billion Stardollars—for absolute pocket change.
"And now, for the main highlight of today’s event!" the auctioneer called out dramatically, uncovering the map of Plot No. 1. "The prime commercial development site! Bidding starts at 1.2 billion Stardollars!"
Instant chaos erupted in the room. Voices shouted over one another as bids rapidly surged from 1.3 billion to 1.5 billion.
"1.6 billion Stardollars!" a loud, strained voice shouted from the front row.
I turned my head and saw Vin Grant, the aging Chairman of Grant Holdings. Activating my Eyes of Insight, I scanned his current financial status.
[Target Analysis: Vin Grant]
[Total Liquid Allowance: 2,000,000,000 Stardollars (1.9 Billion raised through high-mortgage bank loans and corporate debt; only 100 Million from personal family capital).]
A faint smirk played on my lips. Raising my paddle, I called out clearly, "1.9 billion Stardollars." I then turned to face the room, adding smoothly, "If anyone bids 2 billion, I will gladly back out."
Chairman Carter leaned over, whispering in panic, "Mr. Vance! What are you doing? We came here to secure that prime plot!"
I looked at him calmly. "Mr. Carter, remember what I told you. I alone decide how this auction plays out. Just watch."
Vin Grant glared at me, his eyes filled with stubborn pride and desperation. Gritting his teeth, he slammed his paddle down. "2 billion Stardollars!"
The auctioneer slammed his gavel three times. "Sold to Grant Holdings for 2 billion Stardollars!"
As Vin Grant went up to sign the high-stakes contract for Plot 1, I casually signed the ownership papers for Plots 2 and 3, completing the transfers on the spot.
Right on cue, a sudden official broadcast notification flashed across the giant screens in the hall. The Municipal Planning Board had just released the official city development update:
Notice: Due to environmental restructurings, Plot No. 1 is officially removed from the priority commercial development zone. Municipal transit lines and commercial hubs are being immediately re-routed directly through Plot No. 2 and Plot No. 3!
Gasps of pure horror echoed through the hall. Plot 1 had instantly transformed into a useless money pit, while my two ’barren’ plots were now the ultimate goldmines of Metro City.
Vin Grant’s face turned ghostly pale. His legs gave out, and he collapsed heavily onto his knees, gasping for air as his entire life’s work crumbled before his eyes.
I walked over, looking down at the trembling old man with cool indifference. "I have an offer for you, Chairman Grant. I will buy Plot 1 off your hands right now for 1 billion Stardollars... on one condition. Your son, Jason, must drop to his knees and apologize to my girlfriend right here in front of everyone."
Vin Grant didn’t even hesitate. With 1.9 billion in high-interest bank debt looming over his head, this 1 billion was his only thread of survival. He turned and furiously dragged a pale, trembling Jason forward, forcing him down onto the floor.
"I-I’m sorry! Please forgive me, Miss Lin!" Jason wept, his voice cracking with humiliation as he bowed his head to the carpet in front of the entire elite class of Metro City.
Once the apology was made, I signed the transfer agreement for Plot 1, transferred the 1 billion Stardollars, and secured absolute development rights.
Pulling out my phone, I dialed a private number. "Mr. Mayor, you may begin now."
Over the past five days, while everyone else was busy playing basic corporate politics, I had been working behind the scenes. Utilizing my Mind of the World-Class Business Titan alongside my 5x Corporate Cashback perk, I executed a series of brilliant stock trades that generated an astonishing 60 billion Stardollars in liquid profit.
I then deposited 5 to 10 billion Stardollars into every major bank that held Grant Holdings’ debt, instantly becoming their most vital VIP client. Next, I made a direct 1 billion Stardollar charitable donation to the city’s infrastructure, winning the complete backing of Metro City’s Mayor, Vincent Grey.
With a single word from me, Mayor Grey replaced the corrupt local officials supporting the Grant family with his own loyal men. Simultaneously, my call to the bank presidents triggered immediate debt-collection demands against Grant Holdings, forcing them to liquidate every remaining asset to satisfy their loans.
Leaving the stunned crowd in the auction hall, I turned to Chairman Carter. "Please tell Clara to meet me at my suite in the Skyland Hotel later."
Seraphina and I returned to the Presidential Suite in our Aurelius Z3. The moment we stepped through the door, a series of glowing System notifications chimed in my mind.
[System Notification: Host has successfully driven Grant Holdings into total bankruptcy!]
[Special Quest Reward Granted: 100% Equity Ownership of Cosmos Group!]
[Asset Overview: Cosmos Group is the single largest conglomerate in Metro City, valued at 100,000,000,000 Stardollars, spanning electronics, mega-construction, and heavy industry!]
An official leather folder containing the complete equity transfer contract materialized in my hand. I set it on the desk with a satisfied smile.
Between managing stock markets, orchestrating bank pressures, and securing political alliances, the past five days had been exhausting. Every move had to be executed with surgical precision to prevent Grant Holdings from filing corporate interference lawsuits. But now, with Mayor Grey as my backing and Cosmos Group in my palm, I was the undisputed helmsman of Metro City.
I turned to Seraphina, who was looking at me with gentle, radiant affection. Pulling her gently into my arms, I lifted her up and carried her to the bed.
As we lay together under the warm ambient lights, all the chaos of the business world faded away. I cupped her soft cheek, leaning down to capture her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. Seraphina gasped softly, wrapping her arms securely around my neck as she melted into my touch, surrendering herself completely to the beauty of the night.
[System Notification: Target Seraphina Lin’s heart has experienced absolute emotional fulfillment!]
[Continuous Indulgence Reward: +1,000 Indulgence Points!]
[Milestone: Target Seraphina Lin has achieved complete emotional and spiritual devotion!]
[Special Bond Reward Granted: +5,000 Indulgence Points | Stats Boost: +10 Charm, +20 Physique!]
[Host Status Overview:]
[Name: Julian Vance]
[Charm: 40/100]
[Physique: 40/100]
[Confidantes: Seraphina Lin (100% Devotion) | Clara Carter (20% Affection)]
[Total Indulgence Points Balance: 7,100 Points!]
I didn’t pay much attention to the blue screens floating in the air. As the room grew quiet, I held Seraphina close, feeling her warm breath against my chest as we drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning, soft golden sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, bathing the room in a gentle glow.
I woke up with Seraphina wrapped snugly in my arms beneath the plush duvet. She stirred softly, resting her chin on my chest as her clear eyes met mine.
I stroked her soft hair, asking softly, "Do you have any regrets about last night, love?"
Seraphina smiled, leaning up to press a tender kiss to my lips. "I might regret a few minor things in my life, Julian... but choosing you is the one thing I am absolute about. I want to spend the rest of my life by your side."
We smiled at each other, taking a warm shower before getting dressed in comfortable, luxury casual wear. Sitting together at the dining table, we shared a quiet morning breakfast, holding hands and sharing sweet smiles as a brand-new era began.