I Ctrl+Alt+Deleted My Ex and Ctrl+C'd His Uncle novel Chapter 4

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**Through Silent Meadows We Trace Stories Left Behind Yesterday**
*by Asa Rowan Flint*

**Chapter 4**

The auctioneer’s voice reverberated through the grand hall, a rich timbre that stirred a palpable excitement among the elite of the city. Each word he uttered seemed to weave a spell, drawing them closer to the unfolding drama of wealth and ambition.

Mr. Chandler’s gaze ignited with fervor as he fixed his eyes on the sprawling land that was now the center of attention. It was not just any parcel of land; it was a coveted jewel, shimmering with potential.

“Two hundred and fifty million!” he shouted, raising his paddle with an eagerness that betrayed his desire.

“Six hundred million.”

The deep, resonant voice sliced through the air like a knife, commanding instant attention. Sophie’s head jerked upward, her breath hitching in her throat as if caught in a sudden gust of wind.

In the front row, Marcus sat with an air of nonchalance, his demeanor unruffled as he tossed out that astonishing figure with casual ease.

Gasps rippled through the crowd, a collective intake of breath that echoed the shock of his bid.

Sophie found herself captivated by his profile—sharp, commanding, and oddly familiar in a way that sent an unsettling shiver racing down her spine. There was a magnetic force about him, a controlled power that resonated in the very timbre of his voice, making her heart race in confusion.

“Sophie, that’s Marcus Morgan,” her father leaned in, his voice a hushed whisper laced with urgency.

Marcus. The name lingered in her mind, sending an odd tremor through her.

If Marcus was interested in that land, it must hold significance that transcended mere monetary value.

Mr. Chandler, clearly feeling the pressure, could feel the adrenaline coursing through his veins. He raised his paddle again, his voice steady yet strained. “Six hundred and fifty million!”

“Eight hundred million.”

Marcus’s response was immediate, his confidence unwavering.

A bead of sweat trickled down Mr. Chandler’s forehead, a testament to the mounting tension. The land’s value, by all estimations, was capped at seven hundred million, yet Marcus was deliberately inflating the stakes.

Sophie frowned as she scrutinized that tall, unyielding figure. Why did he evoke such a sense of disquiet within her?

“Nine hundred million,” her father growled, his voice a low rumble of frustration.

The atmosphere buzzed with renewed energy, the stakes escalating.

Marcus’s lips curled into what could only be described as a smirk, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. “One billion.”

Mr. Chandler’s complexion shifted to a ghostly shade of gray, the realization of defeat dawning on him.

“One billion, once.”

“One billion, twice.”

“One billion, sold!”

Sophie’s heart sank as she observed her father’s expression crumble, disappointment etched into every line of his face. A fierce protectiveness flared within her, igniting a fire in her chest.