As the screens flickered to life, displaying the silent auction's listings, the entire casino shifted. The air buzzed with tension as billionaires, crime lords, and power players realized the true stakes of the night.
Ochieng remained still, his mind already working through the implications.
This wasn't just about money.
The assets listed weren't ordinary businesses. They were tools of control.
Oil fields. Shipping lanes. High-tech security firms. Private intelligence networks.
Whoever won tonight wouldn't just be rich—they'd shape the world itself.
And from the way Nadia Volkova was watching him, she knew exactly what he was thinking.
---
Dmitri Ivanov stepped forward, exuding a quiet authority.
"The rules are simple," he announced. "Each bidder will submit their offers privately. No one will know who the other players are until the deals are finalized."
A ripple of understanding spread through the crowd. It was a war fought in the shadows.
No outbidding wars. No open conflict. Just raw power deciding the winners.
The perfect battlefield for someone like Ochieng.
He glanced at Nadia, who smirked. "This is where men either become kings—or corpses."
---
Before Ochieng could respond, a voice cut through the murmurs.
"I propose a change to the rules."
Everyone turned.
A new player had entered the arena.
A man in a dark suit, his presence as sharp as a knife. Ezekiel Cross.
The room tensed. Even some of the most powerful figures in the casino seemed uneasy.
Ezekiel Cross wasn't just rich.
He was feared.
---
Dmitri raised an eyebrow. "And what change do you suggest?"
Ezekiel smiled. "Instead of bidding with money alone, let's allow… alternative wagers."
Silence.
Everyone knew what that meant.
This wasn't just about financial power anymore. It was about leverage. Secrets. Alliances. Even lives.
A dangerous smile played on Nadia's lips. "Now this is interesting."
Ochieng remained calm, but inside, his mind was already adjusting.
This wasn't just business.
This was now a game of survival.
And if there was one thing Ochieng excelled at, it was playing against the odds.
---