2025-02-20 16:44:34James narrowed his eyes, staring at Nathan as if trying to read his mind. Then, with a smug smile, he casually lifted his paddle.
"One hundred and ten million dollars."
The room buzzed with excitement.
"That guy will be out soon," another chuckled. "Just watch."
Nathan remained calm, his expression unreadable. He sipped his wine leisurely before setting the glass down.
Then, he simply said, "Two hundred million."
James smirked wider, his eyes glinting with satisfaction. This was exactly what he’d been waiting for.
He
would raise the stakes little by little, baiting Nathan to keep pushing the bid higher. He wanted to watch him squirm, to drag him into a situation he couldn’t escape.Then his voice called out his bid. "Two hundred and ten million.”
Nathan barely hesitated. "Three hundred million."
The crowd began to murmur louder, their voices growing more skeptical.
"Is he insane?" someone scoffed.
"He doesn't have that kind of money!"
"Natalia is lucky. She must have foreseen this and divorced him to save herself."
Natalia heard all their words, a strange unease settled in her chest.
She clenched her fists and glanced at Nathan’s table. He sat so nonchalantly, as if he wasn’t bidding away more money than he could ever earn in a lifetime.
Her heart pounded. What is he doing?
James was rich. His family’s wealth was well-established, so money wouldn’t be an issue for him.
But Nathan?
She had been married to him for three years. He had only worked petty jobs, and she was sure he barely had more than a few hundred dollars saved.
Yet here he was, calling out hundreds of millions like it was nothing.
She couldn't take it anymore. Rising from her seat, she strode toward his table.
"Nathan," she hissed under her breath, leaning toward him. "Stop this nonsense!"
Nathan didn’t even look at her.
She gritted her teeth. "Are you insane? Do you have any idea what you’re doing?"
“Of course I do. And it’s none of your business.” Nathan replied indifferently.
Natalia inhaled sharply and lowered her voice. "Listen to me. I know you still have that Supreme Gold card, but it's fake. It won’t work with Sir Gregory Bakers, and if you can’t pay, the consequences will be severe."
She darted a glance at James, who was watching with amusement.
"You know what happens when someone fails to pay at Sir Gregory Bakers’ auction?" she continued, her voice urgent. "The last person who did was physically punished. Badly. Do you really want to go through that humiliation?"
Before Nathan could respond, Taylor’s voice cut in. "Why do you care, Natalia? You shouldn't be."
Natalia turned and met Taylor’s cool, questioning gaze. "He’s my husband." she almost shouted, glaring at Taylor.
"He used to be," Taylor corrected smoothly.
Natalia's jaw tightened. She turned to Nathan, expecting at least a reaction from him, but he didn’t even spare her a glance.
Instead, he straightened up in his chair and exhaled slowly, as if this was all nothing but a mild inconvenience.
Natalia nodded stiffly, her face carefully composed. Then, forcing a smile, she said, "Thank you for the correction, Miss Taylor.
"Taylor simply raised a brow.
Natalia turned back to Nathan, her expression growing serious again. "I’m not worried about you," she said coldly. "But I don’t want you to make a fool of yourself and get into trouble."
Nathan finally looked at Natalia, his gaze steady, piercing, and unreadable. She could feel the weight of it, as if he saw straight through her doubts. She still believed he had fraud Narvo Bank with a fake card.
"You don't need to bother about me," he said dismissively, his voice calm and even.
His indifference struck a nerve, making her chest tighten. She wanted to argue, to press him for an explanation, but she knew Nathan—once he decided something, he wouldn’t budge.
Without another word, she turned on her heels and walked back to her table.
James, having observed the exchange, smirked in satisfaction. Natalia had practically admitted that she had no faith in Nathan. That too made James feel victorious.
"Three hundred and ten million," James announced, raising his paddle again. His voice was filled with arrogance, his posture exuding confidence.
"Come on, Nathan. Don't stop now," he taunted, glancing at Nathan with a sly smirk. "You’ve got a Supreme Black card, right, Mr. Big Shot? I’m sure three hundred million is nothing to you, huh?"
He smirked, waiting for Nathan to bite.
Nathan’s lips curled into a sneer. "Well, you’re clever enough. It is."
He’d been holding back, playing this game long enough. What James didn’t know was that Nathan had over a trillion on that card. To him, three hundred million was indeed just a small portion.
Without further warning, Nathan raised his paddle. He was getting bored of the dragging biddings.
"One billion," he declared, his voice clear and unwavering.
The entire hall fell silent.
A sharp gasp rippled through the crowd.
The M.C nearly fumbled his microphone. "One—one billion?!" he repeated in shock.
Natalia’s breath hitched.
"Where the hell would he get that kind of money?!"someone exclaimed.
“He must be insane!”
"He's bluffing! There’s no way!"
James turned to Nathan, his smirk widening as he rubbed his chin.
Nathan had fallen right into his laid out trap. Now his ruin and great humiliation was at his hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen. "he stoop up, his voice filled with confidence.”I think we can all agree that 1 billion is no small amount. To avoid any unnecessary confusion or delays, why don’t we verify if Mr. Nathan actually has the means to back up his bid?”
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The crowd roared in agreement."Yes! That’s fair!""He can’t refuse now!""If he backs down, we’ll all know he was just talking big!"James crossed his arms smugly. "Well, Nathan?”The crowd roared in support of James, their jeers echoing across the grand hall. Yet Nathan remained unbothered, calm amidst the chaos.“It’s alright,” he said quietly, his expression serene. He didn’t flinch at the threat of verification, nor did he seem intimidated by the crowd’s hostility.Natalia shot to her feet, her face flushed with triggered anger. She couldn’t hold herself back and stormed toward him. “Nathan! How could you be so reckless? Do you even understand what’s at stake here? Given Sir Gregory Bakers’ methods, you could end up in prison! Are you trying to ruin your life?”Her voice trembled with vexation over his actions which she felt was reckless and stupid.James, still riding high on the crowd’s support, chuckled loudly. “What’s the plan now, Nathan? Going to run to Taylor Monroe for h
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Nathan stood still, his mind spinning with questions. When Sir Gregory had turned to Nathan, his gaze had softened—not with kindness, but with something that looked like recognition. Almost as if he were seeing someone else entirely in Nathan. Sir Gregory cleared his throat, his authoritative voice cutting through the murmurs. “The auction is over. You may all leave.” The announcement sent a ripple of surprise through the crowd. “But Sir Gregory—” one man began, but the sharp glare he received stopped him mid-sentence. “No questions,” Sir Gregory added firmly. His piercing eyes scanned the room, ensuring that no one else dared to speak. “Leave. Now.” The tension was palpable. Though the guests were filled with curiosity, no one dared challenge Sir Gregory’s command. Slowly, they began to file out of the grand hall. They hoped he wouldn't transfer his anger to them and whispered as they filed out of the hall. “I’ve never seen Sir Gregory act like this,” someone murmured. “Some
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Nathan held up the simple but mysterious band. “This? It’s just a ring. What kind of power could it hold?”“It’s far more than just a ring,” Sir Gregory said firmly. “It contains immense energy—an ancient power that can only be unlocked with your blood.”Nathan hesitated, but determination burned in his eyes. “Then let’s activate it.”Without further delay, Nathan pulled out a small blade from his pocket. He made a swift cut across his palm, letting a few drops of blood fall onto the ring. The crimson liquid seeped into the band, and it began to emit a soft, golden glow.Sir Gregory took the ring and gently slipped it onto Nathan’s finger. “Brace yourself.”As soon as the ring settled onto his hand, Nathan felt a jolt of energy surge through his body. His eyes widened as the power intensified, spreading through every vein and muscle. He grabbed the arms of the chair, his knuckles turning white as his mind was overwhelmed with a flood of images and sensations.He shut his eyes tightly
THE SUPREME NATHAN THORNS (The City's god) Chapter 11
The two hurried to the hospital. On the way, Taylor filled Nathan in. “They moved him to a VIP ward because his condition kept deteriorating. My family’s been trying everything.”Once they arrived, Taylor led Nathan down pristine hallways until they reached a large, illuminated room. On the bed lay Johnson Monroe, a frail old man, his skin pale and eyes sunken. Monitors beeped in the background as several doctors stood nearby, their faces tense with frustration and confusion.“I think Nathan here will be able to know what's wrong with grandfather. Let's allow him take a look," Taylor said to her family members.Taylor’s aunt, a stern woman with gray-streaked hair, folded her arms. “You brought a stranger here?”“Wait—” Taylor started, but the older woman cut her off.“This is ridiculous. You think this… boy can do anything? He looks like he’s barely out of school!”“I asked him to come,” Taylor said firmly. “He might help, Aunt.”Her aunt snorted. “Taylor, you’ve always been too trus
THE SUPREME NATHAN THORNS (The City's god) Chapter 12
Everyone froze. Dr. Finn’s eyes widened. “Don’t panic,” he said, checking the old man’s vitals. But despite his frantic efforts, Johnson’s heart rate continued to drop.“His vitals are declining rapidly!” another doctor blurted out in fear.Doctor Finn halted, gulping in astonishment as he looked at everyone, unable to do anything.Taylor’s heart pounded in her chest. “What are you doing? Fix it!”Dr. Finn wiped sweat from his brow. “This is his fault,” he said, pointing to Nathan. “He’s the reason this is happening!”Taylor glared. “Don’t try to shift the blame. You pulled out the needles, not him!”Regret flooded her. Turning to Nathan, she grabbed his arm. “Please. I should’ve trusted you earlier. Save my grandfather.”Nathan’s gaze hardened. “Bring me specific medicinal insects—stone beetles,” he said. “That would serve as a medicinal catalyst. Crush them into powder and mix them with water.”Matthew, looking disgusted, asked, “How's that going to help my grandfather?" “He will i
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Nathan’s expression didn’t waver. “Deadly serious. If you want results, you’ll need to trust me.” Matthew grinned, relief washing over him. “Deal. Thank you, Nathan. Truly.” At the same time, Taylor turned to her grandfather, her earlier anger replaced by a warm smile. “Grandpa, how do you feel?” Johnson sat up straighter, his voice strong and clear. “Better than I have in years. In fact, I feel like I’ve been given a second chance at life.” He turned to Nathan, his gaze filled with gratitude and respect. “Young man, I owe you my life. No amount of money can repay that debt, but I must try. How does 100 million dollars sound ?” Nathan shook his head. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t want money. What I’m searching for is far more rare—some specific herbs.” Johnson’s eyes lit up, and he leaned forward with newfound energy. “Then you’re in luck. I’m the president of the city’s medical association, and in a few days, we’re hosting the annual National Medical Conference. And the
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James grinned, his plan taking shape. “I figured you’d like that.”“I do,” Kacper admitted. “Fine. I’ll be there.”“Perfect,” James said smoothly.As he hung up, his smirk widened.Not only would he use Kacper to regain his glory and restore his family's reputation so they don't face a financial crisis, but he would also destroy Nathan.“This will be killing two birds with one stone. And Nathan?” James chuckled darkly. “This time, Nathan won’t survive.”At the same time, Natalia paced her office, her fingers drumming lightly against her desk. The financial strain on her company had been weighing on her for weeks. Investors were pulling out, and clients were hesitant. The once-thriving company she built was now on shaky ground.Her phone buzzed, snapping her from her thoughts. James. She hesitated before answering.“Natalia,” James’ voice was smooth, almost too charming. “Hope you're doing well, dear.”“What do you want, James?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. “If you're tr
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Liera’s expression turned businesslike. “Strong, as always. Profits have increased by fifteen percent this quarter. The hotel chains expanded into Europe. There are a few minor issues, but nothing critical.”Nathan nodded. “Good. Keep managing it. Contact me only when necessary.”“Understood, Master. Anything else?”He rubbed his chin. “Yes. I need you to help me find some herbs.”Her brows furrowed slightly. “Herbs?”“Yes. Rare ones. Keep an eye out for these—Yartsa Gunbu, Snow Lotus…” He jolted down the 10 herbs on a piece of paper and handed it to her.She nodded, committing them to memory. “Consider it done. Anything else?”“That’s all for now. You can leave.”She bowed once more and exited without hesitation.Nathan stood alone in the grand villa, yet he felt far from settled. His past was a mystery, his future uncertain. But one thing was clear—he was no longer an ordinary man. Wanting to enhance his skills, Nathan decided to cultivate that night and chose a great spot for it.
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Chapter 40
Meanwhile, back at Natalia's office, Clarke was sorting through a few documents on Natalia’s desk when the soft hum of a luxury car’s engine reached her ears. Curious, she lifted her head just in time to see a tall, authoritative man step through the glass doors. Her heart nearly stopped.Robert Gaius.She had never met him in person, but his face was well-known in the business world. Stunned, she quickly composed herself and approached him.“Mr. Robert,” she greeted, her voice laced with astonishment. “It's nice to see you. It's like a dream come through," she added in barely contained excitment.Robert turned his sharp gaze to her. His expression remained polite but questioning. “Hello. You are…?”“I’m Clarke, Miss Natalia’s assistant,” she introduced herself with a small bow. Robert nodded. “Good. I’ve come to sign the contract with Natalia.”“Contract?” Clarke echoed, eyes widening in astonishment. “But Miss Natalia already left… to meet you.”Robert’s brows furrowed. His entire
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Clarke's smile faltered for a fraction of a second. She had hoped to go with them so she could see Robert Gaius. This was a rare opportunity to meet one of the city's famous moguls in person and it has slipped.Reluctantly, she agreed. "Alright, then. I wish you both the best."As James led Natalia out, Clarke watched them drive off, smiling so widely in admiration.James drove with a quiet smirk, one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually against the gear shift. The hum of the engine filled the space between them as they left the city behind.Natalia, lost in thought, barely noticed the change in route—until she glanced out the window. The roads were unfamiliar. The urban scenery had faded, replaced by open roads and sparse buildings.She frowned slightly. "James, this isn’t the way to Gaius Group."James, still calm, glanced at her from the corner of his eye. "I know. Robert Gaius prefers to discuss matters in a more private setting. He arranged for us to meet at a different
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His cultivation had leaped forward overnight, but what truly excited him wasn’t just his newfound strength—it was the realization of what this place could offer.Nathan smirked, his fingers lightly tracing the ring on his hand, its ancient engravings pulsing with a faint glow. “Some pills can strengthen the body, some can cure diseases, and some… can even bring the dead back to life,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.The thought sent a shiver down his spine. Pill concoction was no ordinary skill. It required mastery, precision, and above all, a location rich in spiritual energy. Normally, even the most skilled alchemists struggled to find such a perfect environment. But he? He had stumbled upon the ideal setting by sheer luck.Or was it fate?He clenched his fist, determination burning in his eyes. If he could successfully concoct high-quality pills, he would no longer be dependent on others for resources. He could use them to fortify his own cultivation, to heal wounds
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After leaving the restaurant, Nathan returned home, his body tense but his mind calm. The acupuncture technique he had used on Frank earlier had drained a significant amount of his energy. Even though he had managed to suppress Frank during the medical conference, he knew that his opponent wouldn’t stay down for long. He needed to replenish his strength—quickly.Stepping inside his villa, he exhaled deeply, rolling his shoulders to relieve the lingering stiffness in his muscles. He needed to cultivate. But this time, the usual space inside the house at the rooftop wouldn’t suffice. He needed a better place so he started looking around for it. He didn't want any stagnation in his progress. Nathan moved toward the balcony, looking out at the vast land surrounding his property. A cool breeze rustled through the trees, and his sharp eyes scanned the terrain. As he turned to leave, a faint, almost imperceptible pull caught his attention. It was subtle but distinct, like a whisper calling
Chapter 36
Kacper watched as James staggered out of the building, his lips curling into a grimace. He was still doubtful, but at this point, James had no other choice but to make sure the plan worked. If he failed again, there would be no more mercy.As soon as the door shut behind James, a slow clap echoed from the shadows. Kacper turned sharply, his body tensing, but then his gaze landed on the man stepping forward.Frank.His uncle emerged from the darkness, his presence colder, heavier than before. Despite the vicious beating he had taken from Nathan at the medical conference, Frank no longer looked like a broken man. His bruises were faint, his posture firm, his aura exuding something far more dangerous.Kacper's brows furrowed.He tilted his head, studying him. “Uncle, you look even stronger than ever.What did you do? ”His eyes gleamed with intrigue.Frank chuckled, low and eerie, rolling his shoulders as if testing newfound strength. “A technique,” he said, his voice heavy with satisfacti
Chapter 35
A dark silence stretched between them.Kacper’s gaze remained piercing, and impenetrable.Finally, he hummed. “Is that so?”James swallowed hard, his head pounding as he struggled to keep himself upright. His entire body ached, sharp pain radiating from every inch of his battered frame. He let out a trembling breath, his face smeared with blood and dirt. His lips quivered as he stammered, “Y…yes, I've got a perfect plan for that.”One of Kacper’s men scoffed. “Capping,” he muttered, spitting on the ground beside James.Kacper let out a low chuckle, turning his back to James. His fingers drummed lazily against his wrist as he mused. "I don’t like being lied to, James," he said smoothly.At his unspoken command, the men surged forward again.James barely had time to scream before fists and boots landed on him. He curled into himself, coughing violently as a solid kick slammed into his ribs. “P—please!” he gasped, spitting blood. "I swear on my family’s name, I have a plan! A real plan
Chapter 34
Natalia’s fingers curled tightly around her clutch as she cast a brief glance at James. A forced smile lifted her lips—polite, detached, yet lacking warmth. James, however, either didn’t notice or chose to ignore it. His usual smirk remained intact, his confidence unshaken.“I booked the best private lounge for us,” he announced smoothly, adjusting the cuff of his tailored suit. “It’s exclusive, quiet, and perfect for—”Natalia cut him off with a small wave of disinterest. “No, James.” Her voice was firm but not unkind. “I appreciate it, but I have to leave. My company just secured a high investment, and I need to handle the related matters immediately.”James’ smirk wavered for the briefest moment before he recovered, masking his displeasure with practiced ease. He exhaled through his nose, a measured breath of someone keeping their emotions in check.“Of course,” he said smoothly, stepping closer. “That’s a huge deal for you. I’ll drive you back to your company.”She remained still
Chapter 33
Nathan didn’t even flinch when he saw Natalia and James. His expression remained impassive, his strides unbroken as he continued supporting Taylor toward the exit. He acted as if they were nothing more than air, his focus solely on Taylor, whose fingers now clung lightly to his arm.But Natalia saw them. And she felt it—a sharp, unwelcome pang in her chest.She had told herself it didn’t matter. That Nathan was free to do whatever he wanted. But the moment she saw Taylor leaning into him, saw the effortless way they stood together, the way Taylor’s fingers lingered on his arm like she belonged there—her stomach twisted.And he hadn’t even responded to her message.Her grip on her clutch tightened as she stepped forward, her voice laced with unrestrained bitterness. “I see now why you were too busy to respond to my message, Nathan. You were with your new love interest.”Nathan finally stopped. His face remained calm, unreadable. “She’s a friend,” he said smoothly. “That’s all.”Taylor,
Chapter 32
Taylor exhaled, relieved, though her face remained red. But the embarrassment wasn’t over yet. The romantic ambiance—the soft glow of candlelight, the roses, the gentle music—it all made her hyper-aware of her surroundings. And she was a little excited about it.“I—uh, can we get a VIP private room instead?” she quickly asked the manager. The manager chuckled but nodded. “Of course. Right this way.”As they walked, Taylor kept her gaze forward, her posture stiff. Nathan, meanwhile, remained as composed as ever.Once they were seated, he finally spoke. “Embarrassed?”Taylor scoffed, crossing her arms. “Of course not. Why would I be?”Nathan’s lips twitched slightly. “If you say so.”She huffed, burying her face behind the menu, trying to will her heart to slow down.Inside the lit VIP room, an air of quiet satisfaction settled between them as they finished their meal. Taylor leaned back against her chair, crossing her legs gracefully as she tapped a finger on the table, eyes gleaming
