Richard’s POVI never thought buying a car would feel like stepping into a battlefield, but there I was, standing in the gleaming showroom of Prestige Motors, facing a line of suits that looked at me like I'd just crawled out of a sewer. The smell of new leather and wax couldn't mask the stench of their disdain."Can I help you?" The voice came from a smirking salesman with a tie so shiny I could see my reflection in it. He looked me up and down, taking in my simple jeans and the faded logo on my t-shirt that made him look down on me, "Or are you just here to waste our time?"I was dressed in a very simple and casual outfit. They had no idea who I was or what I was capable of, and that was exactly how I liked it. I smiled to myself. It was going to be a good day,"I'm interested in buying a car," I said, keeping my voice steady despite the heat rising in my cheeks.“Are you sure you're at the right place?” He smirked, glancing back at his colleagues, who snickered. “Maybe the used car

Richard’s POVThe day was bustling with the usual flurry of activities at the hotel when an elegant envelope caught my attention among the stack of mail on my desk. My name, Richard Thorne, was embossed on the front with such precision that it momentarily redirected my focus from the quarterly reports on my screen."Jenny," I called out without looking up, knowing my new Personal Assistant would be within earshot. She was always close, anticipating the needs I hadn't voiced yet."Yes, Mr. Richard?" Jenny appeared in the doorway, her iPad clutched like a shield."Would you mind?" I said, nodding towards the envelope. “What’s that?” She asked.“Seems like an invitation. To a business auction. Have a look, will you?" I handed it over, curiosity piqued but discipline holding my focus on the quarterly reports.She crossed the room, her heels clicking against the hardwood, and picked up the invitation. Her slender fingers broke the seal delicately, unfolding the parchment with practiced ca

Richard's POVThe atmosphere was electric, and I could sense the competitive spirit of the bidders around me. The auctioneer took his place, and the room hushed. His voice boomed through the hall, announcing the start of the bidding for the first item.Without any delay, the event kicked off, the bids came flying, and soon the item was sold to a determined bidder. The auction started at a leisurely pace, each item drawing interest. Paintings, sculptures, and jewels passed from old owners to new with the rhythmic chant of the auctioneer's call.The process repeated for several more items, each one drawing enthusiastic bids from the crowd. The first few items were a warm-up, the crowd flexing their financial muscles on paintings and paintings. But each item that came and went was a mere opener to the grand finale – the AI device that had everyone's attention."Remember, folks," the auctioneer's voice cut through the murmur, "the piece de resistance of our evening will be presented last.

AMELIA'S POVThe silence was a thick shroud in the car on the way back home, broken only by the occasional sighs from my grandmother. We had lost — and not just the auction bid, but a fortune borrowed on crippling terms. My fingers nervously fumbled with the edge of my jacket, knowing that the $5 million interest hanging over our heads was a missile in the air, waiting to drop.As soon as we walked into the living room, Grandma White began pacing, her agitation a living, breathing entity in the room. I knew better than to speak first."Amelia," she started, her voice a mix of despair and fury, "how could this have happened? And to think that it was Richard of all people!" She spat his name out like a curse. "Has he been sitting on a gold mine all this time?"Grandma was a thundercloud of fury, her eyes dark storms beneath furrowed brows. I flung my purse onto the couch and slumped beside it. "It's like we just set fire to that money, Grandma."She snorted, a harsh sound that spoke vol

RICHARD’S POVThe secretary, Miss Carrow, stood poised with her tablet by the door, waiting for instructions.I couldn't help the curiosity that crept into my voice. "Trouble on the horizon?"Henderson’s lips quirked into a half-smile. "Isn't there always in our line of work? But let's not worry about that now. We have our own future to secure.”I nodded, my focus returning to the contract. The pen touched the paper, the ink flowing as I signed my name. It was a commitment, the deal sealed in the ever-shifting tides of business. I handed the contract back to Tom, who signed with a flourish.He gave me a half-smile, the kind that's reserved for moments like this. “Welcome to the team, Richard. I have a feeling we're going to do great things together."The handshake that followed was firm, a mutual recognition of the journey ahead.I leaned forward, my hands clasping together as if to physically hold onto the moment. “I don't know what to say. I'm—"He raised a hand to halt my words. “S