บท 300: The Greatest Butler -295
"Now, my esteemed guests, we move on to another item of extraordinary intrigue," he announced, turning to the latest arrival on the stage. With a practiced, subtle gesture, he directed the spotlight toward the new item draped in fine velvet. He paused, allowing the suspense to build, enjoying how each guest leaned forward just a bit, anticipation sparking anew in their eyes.
A silver bell sat beneath the soft lights, its surface polished to a mirror finish, gleaming as if it held secrets all its own.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer continued, his voice a low, almost reverent murmur. "I am pleased to present SAI-662, known to those who understand its powers as 'The Butler's Hand Bell.' With a single ring, this unassuming bell summons an unparalleled servant, a gentleman of remarkable skill and unwavering loyalty. The tasks he performs are limited only by one's own imagination—provided, of course, they do not cross certain… moral boundaries."
The crowd stirred, whispers flowing from booth to booth as several guests shot glances at one another. In a room where wealth and influence meant everything, the prospect of summoning an obedient, unfailingly discreet butler with such capabilities could prove invaluable.
Tony raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious, and shot a sidelong glance toward some of his rivals. This bell might not be the game-changer he sought, but for those who craved discretion, it could be the ultimate asset. He knew Roxxon's Jared Caine would likely be interested, as well as Gregori Forson, whose need for "assistants" in high-stakes situations was widely rumored.
The auctioneer's eyes twinkled, sensing the intrigue spreading like wildfire. This, he knew, would be another item that would drive his bidders to new heights. Let's see what price loyalty commands in a room full of those who trust no one, he thought, hiding his smile as he began further describe the item, wanting to make them truly understand its powers, as to increase its final price.
The auctioneer allowed a faint smile to play at the corners of his mouth, enjoying the spark of interest that flickered through the room. He took a step closer to the silver bell, as if drawing the audience into a whispered conversation, a secret shared only among the elite.
"To those unfamiliar with SAI-662, allow me to elaborate," he began, his voice smooth, each word carefully measured to draw the guests in further. "With a single ring, the butler who appears is not merely some mundane servant, but a being with a particular set of skills. He can arrange even the most complex of affairs, perform feats of dexterity and intellect, and complete tasks that require both discretion and precision. His loyalty is unwavering. He will never speak of your secrets, nor fail in a task he deems within his moral bounds."
A hand raised toward the back of the room. It was Vincent Blanc, the eccentric art collector known for his obsession with mystical artifacts. "You say 'moral bounds'... but what exactly does that entail?"
The auctioneer gave a gracious nod, having anticipated the question. "Ah, an excellent inquiry, Mr. Blanc. SAI-662's butler, though endlessly capable, does adhere to certain personal ethical standards. He will not harm others, nor will he engage in anything he considers 'unscrupulous.' However," he added, letting the word linger, "these boundaries are broad."
The crowd's murmurs intensified, every guest now visibly intrigued. The auctioneer could almost feel the hunger for the bell, each attendee calculating the boundaries of the butler's so-called "morals" and just how far they could push them.
"With skills that transcend any mundane servant," the auctioneer continued, "this butler operates with an uncanny precision, gathering information, retrieving precious items, and executing delicate tasks that, let's say, require a level of discretion often unavailable through… traditional means." He let his gaze sweep across the room, noting the glitter of anticipation in Jared Caine's eyes, the subtle tilt of Gregori Forson's head, and even the faint smile playing on Tony Stark's face.
"To elaborate further, ladies and gentlemen," the auctioneer continued, "imagine a butler who, while reluctant to cross certain moral lines, is more than willing to navigate the gray areas." He paused, letting the implications settle in. "No government database is too secure, no classified document too hidden, and no conversation too private for his exceptional skills. Simply ring the bell, and he will appear—able to fulfill nearly any request, provided, of course, it doesn't conflict with his ethical code."
Vincent Blanc leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with fascination as he called out, "So he could acquire... let's say, a rare artifact from a private collection? If no harm comes to its owner?"
The auctioneer inclined his head, giving a slight, enigmatic smile. "Indeed, Mr. Blanc. He's been known to accomplish the seemingly impossible. But beware—he won't do anything gratuitously violent. The butler, for example, won't assassinate a rival in cold blood, but a misstep down a staircase or an unfortunate accident might be within his purview. It is all, of course, left to his… interpretation."
Tony watched with an expression of idle interest, yet his mind was working. He didn't need a butler, especially one with an independent code of ethics. But seeing the ravenous looks on the faces of his rivals, he couldn't help but be worried what they might do with something like this.
The auctioneer's smile grew as he sensed he had them captivated. "And as a final note, while his abilities are profound, the butler remains bound to this bell. Lose the bell, and you lose his services. However, as long as it remains in your possession, he will be loyal to you and you alone."
He turned toward the crowd, his eyes glinting. "Now, with all that in mind, let us begin the bidding at a hundred million."
Jared Caine's hand shot up without hesitation, followed immediately by Gregori Forson. Vincent Blanc's hand rose next, his expression intensely focused as he signaled his interest. The bidding surged forward, with figures quickly soaring well into the hundreds of millions.
The auctioneer's heartbeat quickened with each new bid, his face remaining impassive but his mind racing. This bell, the tool that promised ultimate loyalty in a world of treachery, was about to become the most coveted item of the night.
The bidding war erupted as soon as the auctioneer announced the starting price, the initial hundred million instantly obliterated by hands shooting up from every corner of the room. Jared Caine of Roxxon led with two hundred million, his expression sharp and controlled, as if he'd calculated exactly how far he was willing to go. Gregori Forson countered immediately with three hundred million, followed closely by Vincent Blanc, who raised the stakes to five hundred million without hesitation.
Tony, not one to stay away from anything that he found interesting, decided that this bell was something he wouldn't let fall into the wrong hands that easily, and decided to join the fun.
With a casual flick of his hand, he raised his bid to seven hundred million.
Eyes turned to him in surprise, and the auctioneer's smile grew, sensing this was about to become the night's fiercest competition. Evelyn Crawley, seeing the sudden escalation, narrowed her eyes and threw her bid into the mix: "One billion," she called out, her gaze steady as she held the room's attention.
But the wave of billion-dollar bids had only just begun. Zhao Ming upped the bid to two billion with a subtle nod, his stoic demeanor betraying little, while Jared Caine matched him, his hand raised confidently as he declared, "Three billion." With each increase, the crowd murmured in astonishment, each participant sparing only the briefest glances at their competitors as they threw down bids that would have been unimaginable in any other setting.
"Ten billion," Forson announced, leaning back with a faint smile as if daring the others to follow. The room went still for a moment, absorbing the scale of the numbers being tossed around, until Tony raised his hand again, this time with a grin.
"Twenty billion," he said, his tone casual, as if he were simply ordering a drink. Eyes turned his way, a ripple of tension spreading through the crowd.
Gregori Forson's brow furrowed as he considered, then nodded slightly, raising the stakes to thirty billion. Caine didn't flinch, countering immediately with forty billion, his gaze fixed squarely on the silver bell, his desire for the item evident. Vincent Blanc, undeterred, raised his hand, bringing the bid to a staggering fifty billion. Tony leaned back, impressed but still in the game, tapping his watch before calling out "Sixty billion."
The auctioneer's eyes shone with a barely concealed thrill as he guided the bids higher, each one answered by another rival, the stakes rising faster than he'd anticipated. He could almost feel the tension thrumming in the air, the feverish energy of billionaires and power brokers reaching the peak of their frenzy.
But just as Forson opened his mouth to bid again, a calm, confident voice broke through the din from the back of the room.
"One hundred billion."
The room fell silent, heads turning to see the newcomer. It was Harlan Brune, a BlackRock representative known for his quiet but unwavering determination. Brune's expression was one of absolute certainty, his gaze fixed on the auctioneer, who raised an eyebrow in acknowledgment. The power of BlackRock loomed over the room, a silent reminder that even the wealthiest competitors couldn't easily outbid the financial titan.
Even Tony knew that in terms of liquid assets, he was unlikely to be able to outbid BlackRock, and while he could easily double the current bid, he was sure that Harlan could double his. Which finally made him decide against continuing, though he was already thinking about ways of getting this bell himself for safekeeping.
"Going once…" the auctioneer said, his voice reverberating through the stillness, almost daring anyone to counter.
"Going twice…"
The gavel struck with a final, decisive thunk, and the room erupted in murmurs as Brune's victory was sealed. With a nod, Brune acknowledged the auctioneer, his expression as unruffled as if he'd merely bought an expensive watch. Yet an unseen glint of amusement mixed with rage flashed in his eyes.
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