?Chapter 112:
Without hesitation, the man said, “Names don’t matter. What matters is that if we keep bidding against each other, we’ll both bleed money. So I’ll make it simple — what’s your price to walk away?”
A low chuckle rumbled from Vincenzo as he answered, “You should know something — I didn’te here to strike a deal. I came to tell you that I’ll have that bracelet no matter what it costs. However, to keep things clean and avoid ridiculous price wars, future bids will be handled through the DTN forum with escrow deposits. You in?”
Someone who could toss around that kind of money — and even pull in a hacker who could match Hawk from the ST group — would surely know what the DTN forum was all about.
The DTN forum had existed on the dark web, hidden from the public eye. Anyone who had been active on the forum was likely concealing an identity far moreplex than they let on.
Many of the transactions carried out on the dark web involved enormous sums of money, and to ensure safety, deals were typically overseen by a moderator from DTN’s trading section. Only with their involvement could the transaction move forward.
Nobody knew who the moderator really was. Nobody dared to ask, either. Rumors said thest fool who tried had their entire bloodline dragged through investigations and torn apart by the authorities overnight.
Listening in, Maia felt a knot tighten in her chest. Vincenzo’s drive to snatch Vicki’s bracelet was more ferocious than she had ever imagined.
The mention of DTN escrow made everything crystal clear. Every time she ced a bid, she would have to deposit the full amount beforehand.
Higher offers meant more upfront cash. Even though the money would be returned if the bidder lost, few could actually afford to risk that kind of money without real financial capability.
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Worse, there was no ceiling on the bidding.
Once a bidder’s funds dried up, they would be immediately kicked out of thepetition. It was a brutal but effective system to keep the ying field honest.
In most cases, bidders appreciated the protection it offered.
However, Maia had no ns to throw real money into a bidding war. After a brief pause, she brought the microphone close and whispered into her earpiece.
“Tell him that you will withdraw your bid.”
As soon as the hooded man heard Maia’s order, he immediately conveyed it to Vincenzo.
At once, Vincenzo’s features hardened into the same cold sneer he wore upon entering. Maxwell had judged correctly — mentioning “DTN” practically guaranteed a retreat.
After all, few could summon billions in liquid assets without blinking.
Vincenzo dismissed the threat as mere posturing.
“Very well,” he muttered, rising from his seat, offering no further words, and moving to depart.
“Boss, who are these people? They’re ridiculously rich — unfazed even by DTN! And that bracelet… Could it really be worth that much?”
The hooded figure’s stunned voice crackled in Maia’s earpiece as she slipped from her chair and followed Vincenzo into the crowd.
“I don’t know,” she answered, weaving through the throng, her voice steady. “But thanks for helping me today.”
Vincenzo’s earlierment gnawed at Maia’s mind.
She knew the bracelet Vicki had gifted her was exquisite — each intricate carving a testament to masterful craftsmanship. Yet hundreds of millions? That seemed absurd.
.
.
.