Keith tightened the leather straps of his gloves and subtly adjusted the sleek, silver mask on his face.
He had made his way back into the vibrant antique hall of the Global Jade Convention.
Valerie's black card account was now reinforced with over a hundred million dollars, waiting for his command to be spent.
Keith moved silently through the busy path ways of the convention hall, analyzing and strategizing.
Simultaneously, he was performing the systems Daily Test task as he did so.
[Question 3… Correct!]
[Question 4… Correct!]
[Question 5… Incorrect!]
[Question 10… Correct!]
[Congratulations. You have passed the test with a 85% score]
[Grade A. Reward> 5 BGS Credits and 0.10 Level Up Points]
[BGS Credits Balance> 60 BGS Credits]
[Current Level> Level 9]
He still embodied the pseudo name Mr. Halo as he did during the auction.
Despite the noise and bustle of the convention hall, his presence still cut through atmosphere as he walked pass. The shop owners took second glances, or more like curious glances, unsure whether to approach or wait for him to approach.
Keith still walked past many, his eyes scanning and calculating.
He came to a screeching stop before a boutique like antique store. Above the store, the name was boldy written on a huge placard hanging on the top of the entrance: WEN FAMILY CURIOSITIES- Est. 1990.
Inside was luminated with golden lightning. There were elegant porcelain statues lining the shelves, alongside bronze ornaments, ancient scrolls and rare coins locked in glass cases.
The reason he stopped for this shop was because it was modest, quiet and had a lesser number of people inside the rest of the antique shop— it was perfect.
Keith stepped inside to meet a hunched old man behind the counter looking directly at him.
The old man immediately suspended what he was doing on his counter when he saw the sight of a potential customer.
But, before Keith could speak or engage the shopkeeper in any negotiation, the shops entrance bell jingled behind him.
He didn't turn around, but his system enhanced intuition prickled. Someone had entered, someone familiar.
"Whoa-ho! No way! You again!"
The voice carried an arrogant familiarity that Keith recognized way to well, it was like rusted nails dug into his mind.
Victor Sawyer.
The same man who sabotaged Keith's restaurants investment just a few days ago. Just because Valerie Sawyer claimed Keith as her fiancee, his greedy side couldn't handle it as he wanted the Sawyer fortune for himself.
Victor walked closer, flashing that signature smug grin as he brushed back his dark hair that was tinted with grey strands here and there.
The scent of expensive cologne followed Victor like a stubborn shadow.
Keith knew better not to flinch.
Victor reached out and slapped a hand against Keith's shoulder in mock familiarity.
"I knew it! That mask…. you're the one from the auction, aren't you? Mr. Halo right?"
Keith didn't respond. He simply turned slightly, allowing the light to catch the silver shine of his mask.
Victor chucked, taking Keith's silence as some attempt of mystique.
"Ah, I get it… silent type, huh? Playing the mysterious game, I respect that. Keeps people guessing, very powerful move." he chuckled again, as if sharing a joke with a friend of his.
"Well, you didn't talk during the auction, don't see any reason why you should talk now…"
Keith smiled from beneath his mask, the bait worked. Victor couldn't possible figure out who was behind the mask, and that was enough for Keith.
'If only you knew the man you were shaking hands with, Victor…' Keith thought.
Victor walked past him and scanned the shop's displays with fleeting interest before spinning around.
"About your little sale… impressive stuff, really. That gem? Caused quite a stir within my family members. I was sitting in the same row as Valerie Sawyer, and even the matriarch raised her bid. That's not something that happens every day."
Keith offered a polite, silent nod.
Victor leaned casually against the nearest glass case and dropped his voice slightly. "I don't know who you are, or where you came from. But someone like you… you've got presence, skills... I can tell."
He paused, then said with a small, calculating smile, "I happen to be one of the higher ranking member of the Sawyer conglomerate. I manage a great chunk of our regional investments… and honestly I'm always scouting for new partners."
"And you my friend, are going to be one hell of a business partner… I don't know, there's this charisma you have, it's intoxicating."
'Tch…' keith remained quiet, watching him ramble on and on.
Victor took it as a mysterious interest and pushed forward.
"I'm thinking we could… collaborate. The sawyer conglomerate has been planning to expand its footprint into young entrepreneurs who are into antiques like yourself. you've already made a splash in my opinion. Why not turn it into a ripple effect? I could help fund and streamline the process. Of course, with shared profits…"
Keith's eyes widened under the mask.
'Oh? You want to fund my empire for me?' he thought to himself.
The irony was becoming uncanny. The same man who crushed his restaurant investment was now offering him a ladder to climb higher than ever.
'Go on Sawyer… Tie the noose with your own greed.'
Still, he didn't speak, he simple tilted his head as though giving Victor the stage to keep talking.
"You don't have to say anything now. I get it, you're an enigma. But consider it. I'll send over a proposal through one of our family's private channels. And I promise you it'll be beneficial to the both of us… Especially you"
Keith's lips curled slightly under the mask.
He replied with a short, firm nod as he outstretched his hand to receive the Sawyer conglomerate private channel card from victor.
"Great! Then I'll take that as a firm yes!" Victor said with a confident clap of his hands.
The fool walked away, waving as he moved towards the shop seller like he'd just won a negotiation.
Keith stood behind, glancing at his back as he swayed his hips gleefully, 'fool! I'll gladly build my empire with your money!'
He turned and left the antique shop without saying anything.
'Anytime soon now…'
Ti-ring!
[Business Proposal detected]
[Business Partner Panel>]
[Subject> Victor Sawyer]
[Business Partner Percentage> 50%]
"Is that so? I actually thought It would a lot less than that, but I guess this Sawyer is not as smart as I thought he would be…"
He pulled out the Sawyer family private channel card from his pocket and glanced at it.
"It wouldn't hurt to use this new found tactic on the Carpenters…"
Just then, a familiar voice rang into the air and Keith switched his gaze immediately to catch the person right in his spot. His eyes began blazing with opportunism.
"There you are…"