Chapter 275: Unspoken Rules, Competitors, Questioners

George returned to his seat with a stern expression. Lynch’s warning initially made him feel embarrassed and angry.

He was now furious. Everyone in the bank knew those who were fired lost their jobs because they chose the wrong side in George’s struggle with his rival.

Worse, the bank’s president fully supported George. All management stood behind him, strengthening rumors that he would remain Sabin City’s bank president.

Suddenly, George felt a slight numbness on his scalp and realized his attitude had been flawed.

He began reflecting on whether he had acted foolishly recently and calmed himself.

This wasn’t unusual; such things often happen to dictators.

No one dares to challenge a dictator’s authority, which breeds arrogance and eventually leads to their downfall. Fortunately, Lynch’s warning made him realize this.

As time passed, the auction began. Unlike typical lively auctions, this closed event felt abnormal.

The hall was quiet; no one whispered. Everyone sat in their seats.

The assets auctioned included everything from a light industry company under Liston: real estate, land, machinery, warehouse stockpiles, and items Lynch’s group dismissed—like cars.

Cars hold various business values. Some companies buy luxury cars in huge numbers yearly, baffling ordinary people.

Explanations include maintaining corporate image; luxury cars have become a twisted symbol of status.

A company’s ability isn’t shown by flashing cash in deals. Luxury cars serve as a proxy to demonstrate strength.

More importantly, these cars can be collateral for bank loans or interest payments, acquired cheaply with long-term use rights and resold at original price. This motivates companies to buy many luxury cars.

Today’s auction featured many luxury cars, fine sofas, artworks, and leisure items—all seized from Liston’s light industry firm.

The auction quickly reached the main point. A nearly new car, retailing for 32,800 Sol two years ago, sold for just 4,200 Sol to an ordinary bidder—with no competition.

Notably, this bidder raised his paddle only once, then became a mere observer, effectively a background figure.

Next came the second car, third car, first sofa set, first modern painting, first artwork…

Most items sold at very low prices—about one-eighth of original price. Sometimes higher for art—around two-thirds.

Overall, the auction operated in a baffling manner. Few understood how bidders tacitly avoided competing, keeping prices at starting bids.

Had they colluded beforehand?

Yes. Bank staff from tellers to managers joined in.

Before this auction, a smaller event had set prices and decided item ownership.

Everyone followed these rules. After the auction, buyers pooled some money into a fund for future events.

Hundreds of ordinary items quickly sold at starting bids. The city hall was aware; monitors from city hall and court supervised but tacitly allowed this.

Legally, the auction complied with federal laws and charters—perfectly legitimate.

To prevent bank excess, city hall had appraisers set minimum prices, which served as the bottom line.

As long as the bank stayed above that line, no issues arose.

Small items sold fast; next was land—a major asset.

The factory land was near the city circle. Given Sabin City’s growth, within ten years its value would skyrocket.

Invited entrepreneurs perked up. Invitations meant interest or deep pockets. The bank wanted them to spend, benefiting the bank.

Due to economic conditions, starting bids were low—850,000 Sol, already quite low. Soon, bids appeared with competition.

The first plot sold for 1.11 million Sol, bringing a smile to George’s face. A higher total meant his efforts paid off.

Several plots sold quickly with mild competition. Next came machinery.

Few showed interest in machinery; buying it seemed pointless. Most were indifferent.

When Lynch announced the starting price and prepared to close this lot, a bid unexpectedly appeared.

Lynch glanced at a man nearby—about forty, brown hair, neatly groomed beard around his mouth.

Lynch didn’t recognize him; no famous Sabin City capitalist had such a beard.

The man caught Lynch’s eye, smiled, and nodded politely.

The unexpected rival disrupted control. Lynch raised the price twice; the man followed.

George noticed and exchanged a glance with Lynch.

Lynch said he needed to call his backers and asked to pause the auction for fifteen minutes.

George agreed. The competitor surprisingly consented too.

“In this guy, what’s the problem?” Lynch frowned in the lounge.

George looked grim. The one place where no issues should arise—his work—was failing.

Lynch had supported him greatly in seizing power. By social custom, one should return favors. Lynch helped him, but he hadn’t helped Lynch.

“I checked the invitation cards earlier. Your competitor got his via the state bank branch. We have little info, but he’s likely a businessman from the state or elsewhere. And…” George scratched his head—a rare sign of helplessness—“he seems to be here for the machinery.”

Machinery worth over a million Sol had a starting bid of just 150,000 after Lynch’s maneuvering. Even after several bids, it remained under 400,000.

Though Lynch could keep raising the price, being mysteriously outbid felt frustrating.“So, we don’t have any concrete solution?” Lynch asked again.

George, though embarrassed, nodded. “We have no other way.”

Lynch paced back and forth. This clearly exceeded his expectations. He hadn’t anticipated problems here, but now that they had arisen, the only option was to solve them.

“Alright, then. Maybe his determination isn’t as strong as I thought.”

Back at the auction, Lynch engaged in fierce bidding with the outsider, pushing the price to 957,500 Sol—well above Lynch’s mental bottom line.

“Looks like Mr. Lynch is determined to get these,” the man smiled, feigning magnanimity, “so… I won’t compete anymore.”

His words made Lynch feel he had gotten a bargain, and it seemed the man was conceding the advantage.

Lynch smiled and said thank you, as if he agreed.

But it wasn’t over. When raw materials came up next, the two competed again, pushing the starting price under 120,000 Sol up to 510,000. Lynch eventually won those too.

Spending over a million more would frustrate anyone, yet Lynch’s face stayed bright, as if no secrets existed in this auction.

Afterward, he approached his rival and asked, “May I ask why you’re interested in these items?”