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 day of the auction arrived, Jenny and I arrived in style, pulling up in my silver Aston Martin. It was held in a sleek, modern building that towered over the city.Within the premises, I could feel the curious gazes of the other businessmen and bidders already present, their eyes lingering on me as I stepped out of the car. The valet took the keys with a nod, and we made our way to the main entrance.“Richard, are you sure this was a good idea?" Jenny asked, her hand clutching mine tightly.I flashed a thin smile and took Jenny's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "We're here, aren't we? Let's just enjoy the experience."Though I was deeply entrenched in my own thoughts, the murmur of the crowd was impossible to ignore. My newly acquired wealth has earned me the spotlight, and I can feel the weight of every gaze, the whispers sharp enough to slice through the hum of conversation.“Look, it’s Richard, the overnight billionaire,” I overheard one man mutter to his co
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.
Richard’s POVThe auctioneer’s final call was still ringing in my ears when the hall erupted into a chorus of murmurs and applause. I stood there, amidst the throng of tailored suits and gleaming cufflinks, with the faintest of smiles hiding the rush of adrenaline. The crowd parted for me, a sea of faces awash with astonishment as they came forward to shake my hand, to slap my back, to utter words of hollow congratulations."Richard! That was a bold move!" exclaimed a portly man with a cigar wedged between his fingers, his eyes filled with respect.I offered him a sly grin, feeling the surge of adrenaline still coursing through my veins. "Sometimes, you have to play big to win big," I replied, accepting his hearty handshake. I could feel the weight of every gaze as I stood there, the victorious bidder at $50 million. Flashes from cameras danced around me like fireflies on a summer’s night. Reporters, eager for a scoop, were weaving through the crowd to reach me. "Richard, what’s your
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 POVI was practically dragging my feet by the time I finally made it home. The auction had been a marathon, and even though I left with lighter pockets, the feeling of victory was palpable, like I'd just won some secret war. That sensation only amplified when I saw the notification pop up on my phone: +1 Ultra Billionaire Point. A grin spread across my face as I thought about my ever-growing score in the relentless game of wealth and power. It was a mix of emotions; the excitement of the win at the auction, the pride in that new ultra-billionaire point that flashed in my system's notification like a badge of honorI tossed my keys onto the mahogany entryway table, the heavy clink echoing faintly in the spacious foyer. The rush of the auction still thrummed through my veins. Dropping Jenny off had been a silent affair, the kind that spoke louder than words ever could. The house was quiet, the kind of silence that wraps around you like a comfortable blanket. I needed that af
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
AMELIA'S POVI leaned against the cool metal of a nearby lamppost, my body suddenly too heavy to support itself. Richard, my ex-husband, had secured the contract that was supposed to be our saving grace. I thought of all the time I had spent preparing to secure this contract, of the endless promises I had made on the strength of this deal. All for naught.People passed by me on the sidewalk, and I barely noticed them. My world was reduced to the screen of my phone and the ruin of my dreams.The drive home was the longest of my life, each traffic light a red-eyed monster glaring at me, each turn a twist in the tightening knot of my stomach.I cheated on Richard. There, the ugly truth lay in my mind, a venomous snake coiled and hissing, its fangs dripping with the poison of guilt. Was this a curse, could it be the universe punishing me for my infidelity? My hands trembled on the steering wheel, and I had to focus on the road ahead to keep from swerving into oncoming traffic.On billboard