Leveling Up With My Rebate System

Della turned to find a man who looked to be in his thirties, standing beside her.

He wore a suit and a silver mask and held his wine glass elegantly.

He looked at her expectantly waiting for a response.

"I guess," Della replied.

The man studied her for a moment. "Are you new to these events?"

"Yes, at least on this side of the curtain," Della replied as memories of looking at crime scenes of auction houses flashed through her mind.

The man looked at her, unsure of what to make of the statement. "I see."

He extended his hand. "Pleased to meet you. I would say my name but the auction theme must keep up till the bidding is over."

Della accepted the hand. "Same here."

The glanced around until his eyes settled on Nathan. "I saw you walk in with...someone." he drew the last word for some reason.

"Yes? Anything?" Della asked with a frown.

The man in the silver mask tilted his head. "Nothing. It’s just that he seems... out of place."

Della followed his gaze to Nathan, who was examining a sculpture with excessive interest, holding his wine glass by the bowl.

He shrugged and moved on to something else.

Della turned back to the man. "He’s a bit new to this."

"Clearly." The man replied quickly. "The way he holds his glass and carries himself. He’s not used to such taste. Probably rented that suit too."

Della narrowed her eyes. "And is that a problem?"

"Not at all." The man chuckled. "I mean I admire the effort but I like to call things as I see it."

He let his gaze travel over her. "You on the other hand, seem more... refined."

Della’s expression didn’t change. "Thank you." She turned her attention to the painting, hoping he’d go away

"You’re welcome," The man stepped closer, lowering his voice. "But surely you’re not here with him by choice? A woman like you could do much better."

He made a small gesture to himself.

"I’ll pass," Della said without sparing him a look.

"There’s no need to be hasty. I’m sure I can offer more than what he is." He turned to look at the painting. "If you want that painting you’re admiring, I can get it for you."

Della frowned. "I’m not interested. I’m here for something else."

The man laughed softly. "Let me guess. The manuscript?"

Della turned to look at him.

A grin was plastered on the man’s lips. "It’s the prized item of the auction. Are you sure you don’t need help?"

"No I don’t. Thank you for your concern." Della’s voice was cold. "Now if you’ll excuse me."

She began to turn away, but the man caught her arm gently.

"Think about it," he said, his tone still pleasant but with an edge beneath it. "You’ll regret rejecting my offer. My invitations don’t come twice."

Della pulled her arm free. "I’ll take my chances."

She walked away without looking back, her shoulders slightly stiff.

The man watched her go, a faint smile playing on his lips.

---

Della found Nathan near a display of antique pocket watches. He glanced up as she approached.

"Check out these old watches," he said but Della didn’t offer a reply, looking over her shoulder instead.

Nathan noticed her tense posture. "You okay?"

"Fine. Just some annoying bast...guy." She adjusted her dress. "The auction will start soon. We should find our seats."

Nathan studied her for a moment but didn’t push. They made their way into the main auction hall.

Rows of plush chairs faced a raised podium, and guests were already settling into their seats. The lighting was warm and various cameras lined the sections of the ceiling.

The atmosphere of the room was calm but as more people entered, the murmur of conversation filled the air.

Nathan and Della found seats near the middle. Nathan sat down and opened his phone, taking a picture.

Della on the other hand, was had her sense on alert. Her head moved in various directions as her eyes scanned the crowd.

A figure caught Della’s attention at the edge of her vision.

She turned to find the man in the silver mask walking toward their row.

He paused, making eye contact with Della through his mask before settling in a seat beside Nathan.

Della kept her expression neutral and turned her focus ahead.

The auctioneer stepped onto the stage, a tall man in a pristine white suit with wearing glasses.

He raised his hands, and the room fell silent.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. It is a pleasure to have you all today." He gave a small bow.

"I am your host for tonight, and I assure you, we have an exceptional collection in store."

He paused, letting the anticipation build.

"Now, without further delay... let the auction begin."

The event began with a flurry of activity. The auctioneer’s voice rang out, as he moved through the first set of items.

"A stunning charcoal art from the late Renaissance period. Bidding starts at five thousand."

Paddles rose and fell. The silver-masked man bid on a couple of items. Each time he won, he glanced at Nathan with a faint smile.

Nathan ignored him, focusing on the flow of the auction.

"An antique pocket watch, circa 1850. The craftsmanship is exceptional. Starting bid at seventy thousand."

Paddles rose and fell as people placed bids and soon enough the price went to a two hundred thousand.

Della leaned forward slightly. Nathan noticed her interest.

"You want it?" he asked quietly.

Della shook her head. "No. It just caught my eye. Our goal is the manuscript."

The silver-masked man chuckled softly beside Nathan. "Sound advice. Wouldn’t want to waste your limited resources on trinkets."

Nathan didn’t offer a response and raised his paddle.

"Four hundred."

The host’s eyes narrowed in glee. "We have four hundred...going once? Twice?."

He banged the gavel. "Sold to bidder number 66."

Della’s eyes widened and she turned to him. "Why did you... what are you going to tell your sponsor?"

Nathan shrugged. "I assure you, they won’t be bothered by that."

Especially not when he’s getting a rebate.

The man beside Nathan scoffed but didn’t say anything.

The auction continued. A sculpture, a collection of rare coins, a set of antique pistols.

Each item drew its share of bidders, but the atmosphere in the room was building toward something.

Then the man leaned closer to Nathan, his voice low and amused. "I have to admit, I respect the effort."

He stroked his chin. "Coming here, pretending to belong. It takes a certain level of delusion."

Nathan turned his head slowly. "Do I know you? Is there a reason you’re bothering me?"

Della angled her head slightly to listen to their conversation.

"Just making small talk." The man’s smile widened. "I’m genuinely curious what makes you think you can acquire the manuscript?"

Nathan narrowed his eyes. "I’m curious why you can’t mind your business?"

The man blinked, clearly not expecting the response. His composure flickered for just a second before he recovered, letting out a low laugh.

"The manuscript isn’t for someone who has to rent a suit, let alone hold a wine glass properly."

Nathan glanced at the glass in his hand. "I don’t get why you’re worked up over some old piece of paper."

"Paper?" The man muttered. "Bold words for someone who’s about to leave empty-handed. Take my advice and quit while you’re ahead."

Nathan stared at him for moment. "I have some advice of my own."

The man raised his eyebrows through his mask in curiosity. "Which is?"

"Fuck off." Nathan replied.

The man’s jaw tightened which made Nathan’s lips curve in delight. He returned his attention back to the auction.

Della, who had been listening to the exchange, kept her face neutral. But there was a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

The auctioneer paused, his voice becoming more measured. The room grew quieter.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we’ve reached the highlight of tonight’s collection. The item many of you have been waiting for."

He gestured to an attendant, who brought forward a glass case containing a worn, yellowed letter.

"This document was written by a king during his final battle many centuries ago." He moved around the glass case.

"It offers what seem to be instructions in a unreadable language and has ties to European history."

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

The auctioneer smiled, clearly pleased at the audience’s reaction. "Bidding starts at a hundred thousand."

The voices of people filled the hall immediately as many of them raised their paddles, calling out their bids.

Soon enough the number of bidders were slowing down as the price crossed a million.

Suddenly, the man beside Nathan raised his paddle. "Three million dollars."

A moment of silence hung in the air as the words left his mouth. The auction host smiled in delight.

The man turned to Nathan with a smile. "Your move, buddy."

Nathan barely spared him a look and returned his focus to the stage.

He willed the system screen to display his balance and raised his paddle, unaware his eyes flashed a dull gold for a second.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!