Neon Oligarch

The sudden plunge into darkness had been a calculated move.

Max,unfazed by the pandemonium erupting around him,calmly activated a miniature,high-powered flashlight attached to his custom-made suit.

A faint smirk played on his lips.

"Amateur," he muttered under his breath.

This little theatrical display wasn't nearly enough to rattle the world's richest man,much less deter him.

He'd seen wilder shenanigans at a Black Friday sale.

Sophia Laurent's cryptic message had piqued his interest.

A new player in the game,an unknown entity making waves in the normally predictable waters of high-stakes auctions?

This called for some hands-on investigation.

The international auction,showcasing a collection of rare artifacts and priceless jewels,was suddenly a lot more interesting than just another opportunity to add to his already overflowing coffers.

"Let's roll,team.Show time," he announced,his voice a low rumble that cut through the cacophony.

His eyes,however,held a glint of anticipation,a predator's gaze sensing the thrill of the hunt.

Grace,stationed in a nearby van equipped with state-of-the-art tech,tapped furiously at her keyboard.

Lines of code scrolled down the screen like a digital waterfall,each keystroke a step deeper into the digital labyrinth of the new organization.

"Bingo!" she exclaimed,a triumphant grin splitting her face.

"These guys are connected to the Kobra Syndicate,the Triad,and…holy moly…looks like Victor Blackwood's slimy fingerprints are all over this."

The information zipped across to Max's encrypted device.

His amusement vanished,replaced by a steely gaze.

Blackwood again.

The man was like a particularly persistent cockroach,impossible to completely eradicate.

Daisy,a whirlwind of controlled motion,blended seamlessly into the pre-auction crowd.

Her designer dress and seemingly innocent demeanor were a perfect camouflage.

She moved with the grace of a seasoned spy,picking up snippets of conversation,her ears attuned to the whispers and hushed deals happening around her.

Two men,dressed in impeccably tailored suits that screamed"new money,"caught her attention.

Their nervous energy and furtive glances betrayed their true intentions.

"…grab the Diamond Serpent during the third lot…Blackwood's men will create a diversion…" Daisy memorized their faces,their voices,even the subtle scent of their cologne.

She relayed the information to Max with a subtle hand signal,then melted back into the throng,a silent guardian.

Meanwhile,Athena patrolled the perimeter of the auction house.

She moved with a feline grace,her presence radiating an aura of quiet power.

Heads turned,whispers followed her like a shadow.

Her stunning beauty was a weapon in itself,disarming and distracting,while her keen eyes missed nothing.

She scanned the rooftops,the alleyways,every potential point of attack.

Her hand rested lightly on the hilt of a concealed blade,a silent promise of swift retribution to anyone foolish enough to challenge her.

The air crackled with anticipation,the unspoken threat of violence hanging heavy in the air.

Inside,the lights flickered back on,restoring a semblance of order.

The auctioneer,a portly man with a practiced smile,took to the podium,his voice booming through the hall.

The show,it seemed,must go on.

Max,his face an impassive mask,took his seat in the front row,his eyes scanning the room,taking in every detail.

The game was afoot.

He felt a light touch on his arm.

"Sir,I've compiled a preliminary profile on the new organization," a soft voice murmured beside him.

Max turned...

Lily stood beside him,a sleek tablet in her hand.

Her elegant,form-fitting dress did little to hide the subtle power she exuded.

"They call themselves the Obsidian Consortium.Heavily funded,highly secretive,and their reach extends far beyond what we initially anticipated.They've been acquiring assets at an alarming rate,everything from tech startups to prime real estate.Their motives remain unclear,but their leader,known only as'The Serpent,'is rumored to be ruthless and highly intelligent."

Max took the tablet,his fingers gliding across the smooth surface.

He scrolled through the information,his expression unreadable.

Blackwood's involvement was troubling,but the Obsidian Consortium itself presented a new and intriguing challenge.

He was used to dealing with predictable villains,greedy businessmen and power-hungry politicians.

This new organization,shrouded in secrecy and operating with an unknown agenda,was a different beast altogether.

He felt a flicker of excitement,a spark of genuine interest that transcended his usual boredom.

"The Serpent,huh?"

Max mused,a predatory grin spreading across his face.

"I wonder if they can handle the Voss viper."

The first lot,a Fabergéegg,went for a staggering sum.

Max made a perfunctory bid,just to keep up appearances,but his attention was elsewhere.

He was watching the two men Daisy had identified,their movements stiff and unnatural.

They were waiting for something,their eyes darting nervously towards the exit.

The second lot,a priceless Ming vase,sparked a bidding war between two eccentric billionaires.

Max leaned back in his chair,observing the spectacle with detached amusement.

He had enough Ming vases to open his own museum.

He caught Sophia Laurent's eye across the room.

She gave him a subtle nod,her expression a mix of curiosity and caution.

Finally,the third lot arrived.

The Diamond Serpent,a necklace of breathtaking beauty and legendary curse,was presented on a velvet cushion.

The auctioneer launched into a well-rehearsed spiel about its history and provenance,but Max barely heard him.

This was it.

The moment of truth.

As the bidding began,a sudden commotion erupted near the back of the room.

Shouts,the shattering of glass,and the unmistakable sound of gunfire ripped through the air.

The carefully orchestrated diversion had begun.

The two men Daisy had identified made their move,slipping towards the stage,their hands reaching inside their jackets.

Max remained seated,his eyes fixed on the Diamond Serpent.

He didn't even flinch.

"Lily," he said softly,not taking his eyes off the necklace.

"Tell Athena to unleash the hounds."