Chapter 8
1293 Words
Back at the Wilson Group office, James, a wide grin splitting his face, held up a ticket and pushed open Emily's door. "Emily, I've got it. Besides Harris Group, we're also in for Cook Corporation, and..."
Emily's eyes widened. "Wow. Those companies are all in Veridonia's top 100," she breathed, her voice filled with excitement.
James nodded, his smile widening. "Right. This auction is a huge deal. Everyone knows it's really a high-powered networking event, not just an auction."
Emily agreed enthusiastically. "Exactly."
James leaned back, a touch of smugness in his tone. "Emily, I got the invitations. It cost a bit, though."
Emily's curiosity was piqued. "How much per ticket?"
James chuckled, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Over ten thousand dollars."
Emily's eyebrows shot up. "Ten thousand?" she exclaimed, her voice a mixture of surprise and calculation. "Forget it, as long as we have invitations, we can get into the charity auction. Harris Group's CEO will be there, along with chairmen from all sorts of big companies. Ten thousand be worth it if we get in."
Emily clutched the ticket tightly, her gaze hardening with determination. "This charity auction is our company's chance to really make a name for ourselves. Getting to know those big bosses will make our future so much easier."
Her face turned serious, her eyes flashing with a hint of resentment. "Humph. Aiden, you said you built this company from the ground up? Well, I'll show you that Wilson Group is even stronger without you, even more successful."
***
Meanwhile, at the charity auction venue, Aiden was making his own preparations.
He wasn't attending on behalf of the company. This was a personal venture.
All the items he planned to bid on were already his, and any proceeds above his starting bids would be donated to charity. He had set those starting bids himself, of course, ensuring a healthy profit margin.
As for finding bargains, he had a plan.
In the bustling antique markets of northern Veridonia, Aiden knew he could find some real steals. The market was a chaotic mix of hopeful buyers and shrewd sellers, each vying for a piece of the action.
"How much for this blue-and-white porcelain?" he addressed the stall owner.
The stall owner, his eyes gleaming with avarice, picked up the vase and turned it over in his hands. "My, you have a keen eye, sir. This blue-and-white porcelain is authentic."
Aiden's question was precise. "How old is it?"
The owner, puffing out his chest, declared, "Five or six hundred years, no problem."
Aiden's sharp eye immediately recognized the authenticity of the porcelain, but the owner's claim was an exaggeration. It was closer to four hundred years old.
"How much?" Aiden asked, his tone still even.
The owner held up five fingers, his smile widening. "Fifty thousand."
Aiden's mind raced. 'Fifty thousand for this? I can easily resell it for a significant profit!'
He pointed to a carved pipe resting beside the vase. "What about that pipe?"
The owner shrugged, dismissing it casually. "The pipe's not worth much. Three thousand if you want it."
Aiden's surprise was genuine. No wonder one could find bargains here. Three thousand for that pipe was tempting. It could easily fetch three million. The owner clearly didn't know what he possessed.
Aiden nodded, his decision made. "Okay. Both, please. Wrap them up."
Just as Aiden was about to pay, a middle-aged man with a large belly and a stout build approached. "Hey, that's a nice vase. How much?"
The owner, looking a bit embarrassed, suggested, "Sir, I'm sorry, but this gentleman has already chosen it. Perhaps... you'd like to look at something else?"
"No," the large man replied flatly. "According to street market rules, if two people want the same thing, we have to hold a fair auction."
The owner turned to Aiden, asking, "Sir, what do you think?"
Aiden responded, "Alright. Fair auction. Let's include this pipe for me as a bonus."
The owner agreed, "Sure."
Aiden began the bidding, "Fifty thousand, right? I'll offer sixty thousand."
The large man countered, "Seventy thousand."
Aiden shot back, "Eighty thousand."
The large man raised the stakes, "Ninety thousand."
Aiden pushed further, "One hundred thousand."
They continued bidding until they reached two hundred thousand.
Aiden hesitated for a moment. The large man smirked, "So, young man, are you going to bid higher? If not, I'll take this porcelain vase."
Aiden sighed.
The large man taunted, "You don't have the means to buy antiques here! Trying to get rich quick, huh? Let me tell you, I've been auctioning things here for years, and nobody outbids me."
Aiden patted his pockets, saying, "I didn't bring enough cash today. I'll make one last bid. Take it or leave it: two hundred and fifty thousand."
"Two hundred and fifty thousand... two hundred and fifty thousand..." The large man hesitated. "Punk, you won't make much profit at that price."
Aiden waved his hand with a smile, "I'm not trying to make money. I just want to collect it."
The large man remarked, "I didn't expect someone your age to have such deep pockets."
Aiden humbly replied, "You flatter me."
The large man chuckled, "Alright, I'm in a good mood today. I'll let you have the vase. But remember, if we both want something good again, you can't compete with me."
Aiden reassured him, "You have my word. Hey, wrap up the pipe for me too."
"Right away," the owner said as he handed both items to Aiden.
After turning around, Aiden smiled knowingly and instructed his assistant, "Take these to the auction house office immediately. No delay."
He moved on to browse the other stalls, his gaze lingering on various wares. Meanwhile, the owner discreetly slipped some bills to the large man, whispering, "Here you go."
The large man covered his mouth, chuckling. "That kid was something else, huh? A real fool with money to burn."
"Haha," the stall owner replied, "That vase actually went for two hundred and fifty thousand dollars! I've never seen anyone so determined to buy something before."
"No, no, no," the large man scoffed. "He's a sucker."
"That's just how it is," the owner said, shaking his head. "People love to save face. You jack up the price, and they'll pay it."
"Next time something like this comes along," the large man instructed, "give me a call."
"Sure," the owner assured him.
Just then, Aiden's voice cut through the air, "Excuse me, gentlemen."
Both men jumped, startled. They whirled around to find Aiden standing directly behind them.
"Gentlemen," Aiden said calmly, a knowing glint in his eyes, "I think I've figured it out. You two are working together, aren't you? You rigged me into buying that vase at a grossly inflated price."
The owner jabbed a finger at Aiden. "Let me tell you something, sonny. In this business, a sale's a sale. That blue-and-white porcelain vase ain't coming back."
Aiden smiled. "No, no, no. You've got it all wrong. I just want to point out that the blue-and-white porcelain vase isn't worth that much."
"Then why did you buy it?" the owner demanded, his voice sharp.
"Because the pipe you gave me is worth that price," Aiden replied, his tone unwavering.
"What in the world are you talking about?" the owner sputtered, completely bewildered.
"Didn't you notice the initials 'JW' engraved on the pipe?" Aiden asked, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "John Taylor. He was a top pipe maker in the West. Three hundred years ago, during negotiations between the foreign country and our empire, the very first gift they presented to our emperor was a pipe—a pipe made by Master John Taylor himself."
"I think you understand now, don't you?" he then added.
- Writer
