Chapter 77: The Game of Kings

The ballroom fell into a thick silence as Ethan took center stage. The room was packed with the world's most powerful figures—billionaires, politicians, and the unseen rulers of industries.

This wasn't just an auction.

It was a battle for control.

Chris stood among the staff, his presence unnoticed yet commanding. Dressed in a plain black uniform, he moved seamlessly between guests, refilling glasses and observing every expression, every whispered conversation.

Skylar sat with her parents near the front, her fingers tightening around the edge of her chair. Something about this night unsettled her.

She had been to elite gatherings before, but this was different. The stakes felt higher. The tension in the room was thick, as if the people around her weren't just here to spend money—but to fight for something greater.

And at the center of it all stood Ethan.

With an effortless smirk, he addressed the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the pinnacle of exclusivity. Tonight, we don't offer you simple material possessions. We offer influence."

A hush settled over the crowd.

Ethan motioned toward the stage. Behind him, an array of sleek black cases and velvet-draped objects were being revealed, each one holding a secret yet to be unveiled.

"Power is not bought—it is earned. But tonight, we give you the chance to take a shortcut."

The first case was opened. Inside, a single golden key rested on a silk cushion.

A murmur swept through the crowd.

Ethan's voice dropped just slightly, forcing the audience to hang onto every word. "This is not just a key. It is access—to information, to private networks, to doors that remain closed to even the wealthiest among you."

Chris watched the reaction closely. These people were driven by greed, by an insatiable hunger for more. And Blackwood? Blackwood was their dealer.

Skylar's father leaned forward, his interest piqued. Her mother whispered something in his ear, and he gave a single nod.

The auction had begun.

---

The Bidding War

"Five million."

The first bid came from a man in the back, his expression cold and calculating.

"Seven."

"Ten."

It escalated quickly.

Chris watched as numbers flew from the lips of men who didn't flinch at the idea of throwing away millions. To them, this wasn't just money—it was a declaration of status.

Skylar's father hesitated before lifting his paddle. "Twelve million."

Skylar's head snapped toward him. "Dad?"

He didn't acknowledge her, his eyes locked on the golden key.

Ethan's smirk widened. "Twelve million going once—"

"Fifteen."

A new voice entered the fray. A woman dressed in deep blue sat calmly, her gaze unwavering.

Chris recognized her. Vivian Mercer. A ruthless businesswoman known for swallowing weaker companies whole.

Her bid sent a ripple through the room.

Skylar's father exhaled sharply. He hesitated, then shook his head. He was out.

"Fifteen million going once… going twice… sold."

A round of polite applause followed as the golden key was handed off to Vivian's assistant.

But the night was far from over.

Ethan gestured, and the next item was revealed—a folder sealed in a glass case.

"This," he announced, "is leverage."

The murmurs grew louder.

Chris watched as men shifted in their seats. They knew what that meant. It wasn't just information—it was power over someone else.

"Let's start the bidding at five million."

Hands shot up instantly.

The auction was no longer about wealth.

It was about control.

---

The Watchful Eyes

Chris moved through the crowd, serving drinks while keeping his true purpose hidden. He wasn't just observing. He was studying them.

Their desires. Their weaknesses.

Ethan's voice continued to command the room, auctioning off influence disguised as mere objects. Some bought access to secret clubs, others secured business monopolies in emerging markets.

Skylar sat stiffly, watching her father's every move. She could see it in his eyes—the desperation. The need to reclaim his lost power.

She hated it.

And yet, she couldn't look away.

Chris finally stepped near her table, placing a fresh glass in front of Skylar's father. Their eyes met for half a second.

Skylar noticed.

Her brows furrowed slightly. "Chris?"

He didn't react.

He simply turned and walked away.

Leaving Skylar with even more questions than before.

And as the auction neared its grand finale, the night was far from over.

Because soon, secrets would unravel.

And not everyone would walk away unscathed.