Chapter 8 - The liquidation
"Current bid is seventy-five million dollars," Julian’s voice boomed from the gallery floor below. "Do I hear eighty?"
Alexander didn't answer Celeste. He picked up his obsidian paddle and raised it casually.
"One hundred million," Julian announced instantly, his voice brimming with excitement. "Bid is with Mr. Caldwell at one hundred million dollars."
Celeste grabbed the edge of Alexander’s table. "Please," she whispered, her arrogance completely shattered, replaced by raw desperation. "If you take the painting and trigger the debt call, my family loses everything. Our homes, our company, our name... we will be left with nothing."
"You won't be left with nothing," Alexander corrected softly, looking down at his worn leather wristwatch. "You'll be left with your dignity. Assuming you can find any."
"I'll apologize," she offered frantically, tears finally brimming in her eyes, threatening her flawless makeup. "I'll make a public statement. I'll tell everyone I was wrong at the door. Just... give us thirty days to settle the debt."
Alexander leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. The stark light carved hard shadows across his rugged features.
May you like
"When my father died twenty years ago," Alexander said quietly, "your father gave my mother two hours to clear out her house. She left with one suitcase and her watch." He tapped the worn leather strap on his wrist. "You have thirty minutes before the filing becomes public on Wall Street."
Below them, Julian tapped his gavel once. "One hundred million dollars going once..."
