The Master Programmer-Chapter 159: Shadows in the Auction 1

Jason Cross stepped out of the sleek black car, adjusting the cufflinks on his tailored suit. The hum of voices mingled with the faint tinkling of champagne glasses as the auction venue appeared. He could see all sorts of people there, some even going as far as putting masks on to preserve their identities. But what was unmistakable was that all these people came from money backgrounds.

Jason knew it now... Troy was a true businessman. Even though he had dealings with the underworld his operations were clean, and he was clean too to a large extent even with the police trying to lay charges on him for all sorts of things. The AUction had attracted people from all walks of life, and something told him that even people from other provinces had come too. Jason couldn’t help but smirk.

He walked over to the other side of the car and opened it for Isabella to come out. He gave a smirk seeing how nervous she was. But she looked so good in her new dress. Why so nervous, beautiful? After giving her his hand to hold on to, Jason and Isabella easily made their way over to where everyone else was entering.

The grandeur of the hall was unmistakable, its gilded facade and towering columns exuding an air of exclusivity. Jason smirked; this was his arena, where power wasn’t just displayed—it was bartered, manoeuvred, and won.

Beside him, Isabella clung to his arm, her wide, doe-like eyes scanning the bustling crowd. Her soft navy dress hugged her figure just enough to turn heads, yet her nervous energy betrayed her inexperience in such circles. But it also made her even more adorable.

And Jason knew it too. She was his arm candy. Her nervousness made him seem that much more endearing. Personal image was everything in places like these. One thing Jason was never going to discount was the fact that most of these people knew him from somewhere. If that was the case, then he had to better his first impression. Having such a beautiful shy natural girl like Isabella was just the right thing.

"Relax, Isabella," Jason murmured, his voice low and commanding. He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "You’re with me. Everyone here is already wondering who you are. Who is this beautiful woman next to that ugly man, they’re probably saying. I wish she was with me!"

She glanced up at him, her cheeks flushed. "Do you think so?"

Jason chuckled softly. "I don’t think, darling. I know. So there’s no need to worry. You’re the star of the show here, and I am nothing more than a bodyguard. Now say it to yourself. Say how if you’re with me everything will be fine. Say it in your mind and you’ll calm down."

Seeing Isabella nod like that, Jason smirked. By using affirmations, Jason reinforced her confidence, planting the idea that she belonged in this world, even if she doubted herself. And actually, even the affirmation he used included him in it, so in a way, she was going to imagine herself in this world beside him with Jason as her protector.

As they stepped inside, everyone’s heads turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd, eyes flicking between Jason and Isabella. The name Jason Cross carried weight, though not always for the right reasons.

"Isn’t that…?" one voice murmured.

"The exiled son of the Cross family," another finished.

"Didn’t his parents—"

"Shh! Do you want to get thrown out of the city?! Dont say anything that will get you messed up!"

Jason’s smirk widened ever so slightly. He had no intention of hiding. Let them talk; he thrived on their intrigue and unease. He felt Isabella stiffen beside him, but he patted her hand reassuringly.

"They’re just curious," he said smoothly. "Enjoy it. Remember… People only look at people who Matter. So the next time someone looks and you and talks about you, just remember that you are worthy of attention and respect. You are worthy. "

Before she could respond, a man approached. His slicked-back hair and sharp features gave him a serpentine quality, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Beside him stood a woman whose beauty was overshadowed by the sadness etched into her expression.

Jason noticed the woman before the man… what was she doing here? Oh wait… So this must be...

"Jason," the man said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. "It’s been a while. Do you remember me? Jack Cross."

Jason’s smirk didn’t falter. Although he had never met the man due to how his father, Frank, had practically hidden him from the world due to the shame of having been cheating on his wife, he had heard his father talk about him.

How his brother had gotten something out there, a forgotten son that was raised out in the world. How his son was a business genius. How they were raising him to be some kind of heir instead of the main son who was going the law route.

That was why Jason stood there, ultimately calm and collected. "How could I forget? The family’s favourite son. What brings you here?"

Jack’s laugh was cold. "Business, of course. And pleasure." He tightened his grip on the woman’s arm. "Allow me to introduce my fiancée, Celine Ellis."

Jason turned to Celine, seeing her give him a tight-lipped smile. "I know her. We’ve met before. She is Samantha’s little sister is she not?" Jason said, flicking his eyes over the rest of her and realising just how tense she was even while trying to hide it. "Celine. It’s good to see you again…"

Celine nodded to Jason and gave him a bigger smile, this one a bit more genuine than the smile she was wearing before. Her blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders, her emerald-green dress highlighting her curves. Yet her eyes, a striking shade of blue, held a quiet plea.

She looked like a bird trapped in a gilded cage. Or maybe this time, the cage was slicked back hair on it.

"This is Isabella by the way," Jason said, gesturing to the woman who stood beside him, who nodded and also kept silent although her quiet state was not one of melancholy but just one of discomfort and a bit of nervousness. Jason saw how Celine looked at Isabella and it was with a bit of concern. Jason understood why but he kept that information out of the conversation by all means.

Jason turned back to Celine and figured it might be good for him to try to get more out of her, his voice softening. "Celine... How are you?"

Celine hesitated, glancing at Jack before answering. "I… I’m fine," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.

Jason’s jaw tightened imperceptibly. "Fine doesn’t suit you," he said gently. "You deserve better. I still remember that day. You were smiling so brightly as you kicked that Kissinger idiot Harry out. You helped me out a lot that time and even smoothed out the process of buying a car. I’d love to make it up to you. I hope you can let me."

Celine flashed Jason a smile remembering back to those moments but before she could say anything, it was Jack who spoke up.

Jack’s smile faltered. "Well, isn’t that sweet? But I think we’re done here. Come, Celine."

Before they could leave, Jason’s hand shot out, clasping Jack’s in a firm handshake. "Enjoy the evening, cousin. But remember," he added, his voice dropping into a dangerous undertone, "what you hold today can slip through your fingers tomorrow. You better hold tight."

Jack’s eyes narrowed. "That’s funny, ’cousin’… I could say the same thing to a man like you…" He said looking at the woman who stood beside Jason and smirking lasciviously. Jason smirked in interest as well, knowing what he was trying to say.

Was that a threat? Jason couldn’t say anything else as the man began walking off, pulling Celine away with him. Jason watched them go, his mind already working on the pieces of this new puzzle.

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"Who was that man?" Isabella asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She had felt a bit nervous before, but now that she had been following Jason’s advice saying those words she was feeling a little bit better. She felt so much better while she was around her bodyguard.

"Family," Jason replied curtly, his eyes still on Celine. "Or something like it." Isabella stared at Jason and then at the woman who was walking away. Was that woman someone Jason wanted? Was she special to Jason?

She felt a bit conflicted in her heart, having Jason look at another woman the way she wanted him to look at her. But she was loyal to Jason and wanted the best for him. "If you need to talk or you need someone to hear you out, I... I might not be good at anything, but just listening to people is easy for me, Jason. Please tell me what’s on your mind later okay?"

Jason smirked, bringing her hand to his lips to kiss it. "Thank you, Isabella. I’ll do just that."

Before the conversation could continue, a familiar voice cut through the crowd.

"Really, Jason? Someone new already?"

He turned to see Samantha and Veronica approaching. Samantha’s sharp bob and tailored suit exuded authority, while Veronica’s flowing red dress and black hair made her look every bit the sophisticated temptress. Both women had a glint of mischief in their eyes.

Jason, who was the man who had kissed both women on that day, now standing there with another woman, would have felt awkward if he was a normal man. But he was far from a normal man. No, he was something different. Something special.

"Ladies," Jason greeted, his tone playful. "I didn’t realise this was a reunion."

"It’s not," Samantha said coolly. "But it’s always interesting to see who you’ve charmed this time."

Veronica smiled warmly at Isabella. "I heard from Samantha… You must be someone very special to Jason," she said. "It’s lovely to meet you."

Isabella’s cheeks flushed again, but she managed a polite smile. "Thank you. I’m Isabella. It’s nice to meet you both. I hope we can get along from now on." She was not sure who these people were. But she knew that since Jason was so flirty with them, they might be women he was acquainted with.

Jason chuckled hearing them get acquainted like this. And so, it had begun. The games women play are way too covert. They might be smiling, but they were hiding knives behind their backs. It would be great if Jason convinced them to let go of those knives and maybe hold some flowers instead. Maybe he should get them to kiss?

Jason leaned in, his voice a low murmur. "She’s more than special. She’s one of a kind. And so are all of you. I’m glad you met each other now. It was something I have always wanted to make happen. Now that it’s finally happening, I can’t help but feel a bit better."

The subtle praise, delivered with conviction, made Isabella’s smile grow a little more confident. The other women stared at Jason with an incredulous look. This guy… there he was, saying sweet nothings to this innocent little girl. They were a bit mature, so they knew how to deal with things like this.

Samantha narrowed her eyes a bit more though, understanding something else. She rolled her eyes. "Flattery will only get you so far, Jason."

"Good thing I’ve got more than flattery," he shot back, earning a laugh from Veronica. He did have so much more. She might not have known before, but she knew now. Actually, it was very likely that they all knew. Still, looking at the woman, Veronica couldn’t help but smirk. Jason’s taste was really not bad.

As the group made their way into the auction hall, the tension in the air was palpable. The room was a sea of wealth and ambition, but Jason’s focus was sharp. He felt eyes on him, a cold gaze that sent a shiver down his spine. Turning, he spotted James Carter standing by the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand. Beside him was Jack Cross. Both of them sharing words. Both of them staring daggers at him.

And Celine, she was standing with an older woman, who was also staring at Jason coldly, as if she wanted to take a bite out of his neck, in a not so friendly or sexy way. James smirked when he saw that woman. He remembered her words the last time he saw her.

"From now on you might call yourself a Cross, but you’re nothing. You’re nothing, you hear me?!"

Hehe… He was nothing… Nothing but the beginning of their ending. Jason kept himself calm outwardly when he saw his aunt, but he felt the urge to laugh when she looked at him in a way that showed just how funny it was. James raised his glass in a mock toast, a sly smile on his face.

If this lady was here, looking at him like that, then it meant she must know about her son. Maybe they might know about his connection with him being one of the last people to see him before he went mad.

Jason looked away, his eyes narrowing slightly as he started thinking.

This wasn’t just a social gathering—it was a battleground.

Something might happen tonight. Something big.