The Master Programmer-Chapter 162: The Price of Power 1

"Jason you’re back…" Isabella said seeing Jason walk back in. She was having a nice chat with the two other women and she realised that they were pretty friendly. Jason looked at the three of them. Everything was still intact. Okay, good. So let’s move on.

Jason thought back to the thoughts that he was having on his way back. Something was going to happen here tonight. And it seemed the Cross family had something to do with it. Jason would have to watch out.

Seeing how Jason had ignored Isabella, the other women turned their heads too, watching as Jason sat back down on his seat with a frown.

"What happened?" Samantha said with narrowed eyes. Veronica also turned to Jason with some concern and Jason soon realised that he was making them worried.

He smiled. "No mater what happens tonight… Just try your best to stay by my side, okay?"

They all nodded bringing a smile to his face. Okay. As long as they were fine, nothing else mattered. Jason Cross lounged in Private Room 1, his sharp, tailored suit accentuating his powerful presence.

His piercing eyes scanned the stage below, where a stunning woman in a figure-hugging crimson dress prepared to address the eager crowd.

Her voice, smooth and melodic, resonated through the room as she continued, "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to one of many exclusive auctions hosted by our illustrious sponsors. Tonight, we have curated a collection of extraordinary items—pieces that blend beauty, rarity, and intrigue."

"You have already seen two of them. Now let’s move on to the next one. But a word of caution: some treasures come with mysteries, and not all mysteries are free of consequence."

Her enigmatic smile captivated the audience, and whispers rippled through the hall. Jason smirked, intrigued. This was no ordinary auction. Troy had picked a good usher. She was exceptionally good at her job, and the way she moved, showing off the way her skirt clung to her body was good for business. It kept all eyes on her and made it even more interesting and entertaining.

The woman gestured, and a pair of assistants wheeled out glass cases draped in silk. With a flourish, she removed the coverings, revealing dazzling necklaces, each adorned with an array of radiant gemstones that seemed to glow under the soft lights.

"Our first offering," she announced, "is a set of seven necklaces, crafted by the renowned artisan René Duvall. Each piece is a masterpiece, imbued with centuries of history and unparalleled craftsmanship. The base price for the collection is $200,000 per necklace, for a total starting bid of $1.4 million. Let the bidding commence!"

Jason’s gaze lingered on the necklaces. The way the light refracted through the gemstones reminded him of the way his women’s eyes sparkled when they felt cherished. Beside him sat Veronica. Her blue eyes flicked to the necklaces and then to Jason, a faint smile playing on her lips. Jason noticed this…

So she wanted them, or at least she was interested and wanted to see his opinion.

Jason leaned closer to her, his voice low and charged with intent. "Beautiful women deserve beautiful things," he murmured, allowing the words to caress the air. His tone was warm yet commanding, embedding a subtle suggestion of value and exclusivity.

Veronica’s cheeks flushed, her composure momentarily faltering as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Jason’s statement, crafted with precision, was something that would leave any woman reeling… a compliment tied to an implied call to action, and it amplified her feelings of importance and connection to him.

Without hesitation, Jason raised his hand. "Two million," he declared. Samantha and Isabella’s eyes went wide after he said that. And so did Veronica’s. Didn’t they say the price was merely 1.4 million? Why was he hiking it up like this?!

Gasps echoed through the hall. Heads turned toward Room 1 as murmurs of disbelief spread. Jason’s smirk widened. The VIP in Room 1 was finally making a purchase it seemed. And the man was not playing around.

Jason sat there with the most casual of expressions. He understood the power of a bold move—the shock value, the dominance it displayed. But for him, it wasn’t just about the show. Those necklaces would look exquisite on his women. The shock value was useful though. It told anyone that he had money to play with.

But some people might take it as a bluff… or an invitation to play games along with him. From another private room, a voice rang out. "Three million."

The auctioneer’s hand faltered briefly before she recovered. "Three million from Room 3. How apt, anyone going for more? Three point five? Four? Anyone?"

Jason’s smirk faded as recognition dawned. That voice…snake-like and venomous. Jack Cross. His cousin… a man as calculating and ruthless as himself, yet devoid of Jason’s finesse. Jason did not really know his story, but based on the rough edges he had, Jason figured that he must have had a rough childhood. People like that were resilient. Jason neded to watch out.

Anyway, Jack was playing with him, huh… He was hiking up the price. Jason thought about it a bit more figuring out some reasons why the man might want to do something like that. It might be because he was trying to check how deep his pockets were, or maybe just to intimidate him. Whatever it was, Jason was not afraid.

But knowing how slimy the man was after having spoken to him twice, Jason knew that it was probably a third option. The man was probably doing both at the same time. And more. If he got the necklaces he might just offer them to Celine as something that would bind her closer to him.

Annoying move. But an effective one.

Jason straightened in his seat, his smirk returning, sharper this time. "Four point nine million," he said smoothly, raising the stakes exponentially. At that point, every single one of those necklaces was going for seven hundred thousand. Everyone drew in a breath of air when they heard that. Damn... the big guys came to play now...

The auctioneer’s hand faltered briefly before she recovered. "Four point nine million from Room 1."

The tension in the hall was palpable. Guests whispered, their eyes darting between the balconies.

"Seven million," Jack countered, his voice cold and unyielding. Jason caught the sound of a smirk in that voice, and it gave him an idea. Yeah. he was just making him waste money. This bastard.

Jason chuckled under his breath. The game was on. "Ten million," he said, each word deliberately slow and precise, as though the number itself was a weapon he wielded.

After saying that he turned to the women, whose eyes were wide with wonder and something else, maybe a mix of reverence and some arousal. Jason wanted to chuckle but he merly shook his head. He might explain it to them in the future if he felt like it. He did not feel like explaining it though. At least not yet.

The room erupted in gasps. Veronica’s hand found his arm, a mix of admiration and concern flickering in her eyes. Jason understood why. Don’t waste all your money on something like this was what she was saying. Jason smirked reassuringly. It was fine.

Jack’s voice cut through the din. "Can you do me a favor, Jason? After all, we’re family. I could put in a good word for you considering everything that connects us..."

Jason’s jaw tightened. "No need, Jack," Jason replied, his tone laced with subtle mockery. "I’ll pay Auntie Martha over there a visit soon enough. On my own terms though."

The hall grew quieter. Jason’s words carried an undertone of challenge, a declaration of defiance against the Cross family’s attempts to control him. Wow… they wondered what his words meant. They were loaded words after all.

The auctioneer’s voice broke the silence. "Ten million from Room 1. Going once…twice…sold!"

Applause erupted, though it was tinged with disbelief. Jason’s dominance was undeniable, his audacity captivating. Veronica’s smile was radiant as she leaned closer.

"You’re incredible," she whispered, her voice trembling with admiration. Isabella gave Jason a thumbs up and Samantha merely smirked, looking away and muttering about how that 10 million would have looked much prettier in her accounts.

Jason chuckled at all this, his eye rotating to meet Veronica’s, his voice a soft murmur. "Only the best for what’s mine." His words were layered, again creating a sense of possession and reassurance, igniting a deeper bond in her and the others who he gazed at afterwards.

Moments later, attendants brought the glass cases into Jason’s room. The necklaces glimmered under the light, each one more breathtaking than the last.

— Meanwhile, in Room 3 —

Jack’s expression was cold as he sat there. Although he looked normal, his grip on his seat was stern and Celine knew immediately just how angry he was. His cold, viper-like eyes locked onto Jason’s balcony.

The audacity of that man to outbid him so brazenly and dismiss his overture…it was infuriating. But then again, Jason was done. It was all over for the man. He was not going to make it out of this easily.

"Jason Cross," Jack hissed under his breath, his tone venomous. "I will destroy you."

Jack Cross made a call, his voice low and sinister. "It’s time to put the plan into motion," he said. "Jason won’t see what’s coming."

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