The auction house was a masterpiece of architecture, and from the vantage point of Box 1, Jake could see every intricate detail of the limestone carvings and the way the ambient light caught the dust motes in the vast air. He stood at the edge of the balcony, looking down at the stage where millions would change hands tonight. Behind him, Elias stood like a shadow, his presence silent but constant.
Jake turned his head slightly, watching the stage. "A little over a year ago, Elias, I was just another college student. I was struggling to make ends meet, calculating whether I could afford a decent meal or if I had to skip a day. The world felt enormous, and I was very small."
Elias didn't move, his eyes remaining on the door. "I'm aware of the general story, Mr. Rivers. My team and I looked into your background before we took the job. We don't protect people without knowing where they came from."
