The auction house hummed with restrained excitement. Crystal chandeliers cast elegant light over assembled bidders, each representing millions—sometimes billions—in purchasing power. Aiden sat in the third row, Maya positioned discreetly behind him, while Marcus nervously adjusted his tie beside him.
"Are you sure about this?" Marcus whispered. "That's prime downtown real estate. The bidding could go astronomical."
Aiden's system overlay displayed projections and probabilities invisible to everyone else. The property in question—a landmark building in the city's business district—was more than just valuable real estate. According to his enhanced prediction abilities, it would become the centerpiece of a massive development project that would triple its value within two years.
More importantly, Malcolm Zhang wanted it badly.
"I'm sure," Aiden replied, watching Malcolm enter with an entourage of suits. Their eyes met across the room, and Malcolm's expression curdled with barely concealed hatred.
The system provided real-time analysis: Malcolm Zhang: Net worth $500 million. Maximum probable bid: $85 million. Recommended strategy: Psychological warfare. Make him overpay, draining resources for other ventures.
"Gentlemen, ladies," the auctioneer began, his cultured voice carrying across the room. "We begin bidding on the Meridian Building at forty million dollars."
Paddles rose immediately. The building's value was estimated at sixty million, but savvy investors knew its potential justified more. Aiden waited, letting the early bidding establish momentum.
"Fifty-five million," someone called.
"Sixty million," Malcolm's representative countered smoothly.
The bidding slowed as they approached fair market value. Aiden checked his system's analysis—Malcolm's confidence was high, his body language suggesting he expected to win around seventy-five million.
Time to change that calculation.
"Seventy-five million," Aiden announced clearly, his enhanced charisma making every eye turn toward him.
Malcolm's head snapped around. For a moment, naked fury crossed his features before he controlled it. He leaned toward his representative, whispering urgently.
"Eighty million," Malcolm's rep countered, his voice tight.
The room buzzed with excitement. This was becoming a duel, and everyone knew it.
Aiden's system ran calculations: Malcolm committed. Ego engaged. He will overbid to save face. Exploit this.
"Ninety million," Aiden said calmly, as if discussing lunch plans.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Malcolm stood abruptly, abandoning pretense. "Ninety-five million," he snarled directly at Aiden.
"One hundred million," Aiden responded, meeting Malcolm's glare with a slight smile.
"You're insane," Malcolm spat. "That building isn't worth half that."
"Then why are you still bidding?" Aiden asked mildly.
The auctioneer intervened. "Gentlemen, please. Mr. Zhang, do you wish to counter the bid of one hundred million?"
Malcolm's hands clenched into fists. His face had gone red, veins standing out on his neck. The system analyzed his micro-expressions: Subject experiencing extreme stress. Probability of rash decision: 87%.
"One hundred and five million," Malcolm ground out.
The room went silent. Even the auctioneer looked shocked—this was fifty percent above the building's appraised value.
Aiden consulted his system one final time. The projection was clear: the building would be worth over three hundred million in two years when the city's development plans became public. But Malcolm didn't know that. He was bidding on pride and hatred.
"One hundred and ten million," Aiden said quietly.
Malcolm's representative grabbed his arm, whispering urgently. Aiden's enhanced hearing caught fragments: "...can't justify...board will never...bleeding capital for revenge..."
Malcolm shook him off violently. For a long moment, he stared at Aiden, and in his eyes, Aiden saw murder.
"One hundred and fifteen million," Malcolm said, each word like a gunshot.
Aiden stood, buttoning his jacket with deliberate casualness. Maya tensed, hand moving toward her concealed weapon, but he shook his head slightly.
"He's all yours," Aiden told the auctioneer, then walked toward the exit.
"What?" Marcus scrambled after him. "Aiden, you're giving up? After pushing the price that high?"
Behind them, the auctioneer's gavel fell. "Sold to Mr. Malcolm Zhang for one hundred and fifteen million dollars!"
Once outside, Aiden allowed himself a genuine smile. "I never wanted that building, Marcus."
"Then why—" Understanding dawned on Marcus's face. "Oh my God. You played him."
"The Meridian Building has foundation issues the inspector's report barely mentioned," Aiden explained, his system having highlighted this detail days ago. "It'll need thirty million in repairs before any development can proceed. Malcolm just paid twice what it's worth for a money pit that will drain his resources for years."
Maya's expression remained neutral, but he caught the glimmer of approval in her eyes. "That was tactical. You made him beat himself."
"I learned from the best," Aiden replied, thinking of the system's endless strategic lessons. "Sometimes the best way to win isn't to take what you want—it's to make your enemy take what you don't."
His phone buzzed with a message from Jade Wu, the hacker who'd warned him about The Society: Nice move at the auction. Malcolm's partners are furious with him. You just cost them nine figures for ego. Creating cracks in his support. Well played.
The system confirmed: Strategic victory. Malcolm Zhang's resources reduced by 20%. His standing with The Society compromised. Threat level temporarily decreased.
"Now what?" Marcus asked as they climbed into the armored SUV Maya had insisted on.
"Now we wait," Aiden said. "Malcolm will lash out. Desperate men make mistakes. And when he does, we'll be ready."
Through the tinted windows, he watched the auction house empty, saw Malcolm emerge with his entourage, his body language screaming rage and humiliation. Their eyes met once more across the distance.
This war was far from over. But Aiden had just won a significant battle, and Malcolm knew it.
The drive back to the penthouse was quiet, each occupant lost in thought. Maya kept checking mirrors, her professional paranoia never resting. Marcus scrolled through news articles already appearing about the "auction war" between the mysterious young tycoon and established businessman Malcolm Zhang.
But Aiden's mind was elsewhere, planning three moves ahead, the way the system had taught him. Malcolm was wounded now, which made him dangerous. Cornered animals fought the hardest.
"Double security at all properties," he told Maya. "Malcolm will retaliate, probably within forty-eight hours."
"Already arranged," she confirmed. "I also took the liberty of running background checks on everyone in your inner circle. Hope you don't mind, but trust gets people killed in my experience."
"Find anything concerning?"
Maya hesitated. "A few anomalies I'm still investigating. Nothing concrete yet. But Aiden? Your life was simple three months ago. Now you're in a war with people who've been playing this game for decades. Be careful who you trust."
Her words echoed uncomfortably. The system had given him power, wealth, and abilities beyond imagination. But it had also painted a target on his back that grew larger every day.
As they pulled into the secure garage beneath his building, Aiden's phone lit up with an incoming call. Sophia.
"Hey," he answered, warmth flooding his voice.
"I saw the news," she said, worry evident. "Aiden, you just humiliated a very dangerous man. Please tell me Maya's with you."
"She's here. I'm safe."
"For now," Sophia replied. "But men like Malcolm don't forget. They plan. They wait. And then they strike when you least expect it."
"I know," Aiden admitted. "But I can't live my life in fear. The system gave me these abilities for a reason. I have to trust that I can handle whatever comes."
"The system isn't infallible," Sophia said quietly. "You're still human, Aiden. Still vulnerable. And I..." she trailed off.
"You what?"
"I care about you," she finished softly. "More than I planned to. More than is probably wise. So please, don't take unnecessary risks just because you have a magic system watching your back."
Her words touched something deep in his chest. "I promise to be careful. Maya won't let me be stupid anyway."
"Damn right I won't," Maya interjected from the front seat.
They said goodbye, and Aiden leaned back, suddenly exhausted. The constant strategic thinking, the awareness of threats, the balancing of relationships and business—it was exhilarating but draining.
The system pulsed: Congratulations on strategic victory. Reward: Enhanced negotiation abilities unlocked. Sleep recommended. Tomorrow brings new challenges.
For once, Aiden was happy to follow the system's advice without question.