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Novel Catalog
“Let’s talk to him first,” Carlisle suggested, tossing the cigarette he’d barely smoked to the ground and crushing it underfoot. “If his offer aligns with ours, we’ll make a deal.”
“I reckon he’ll go for 80 thousand dollars at best.” Sean’s excitement was palpable, his mind already running through the numbers. This was no small sum. For most people, earning even 10 thousand dollars a year was a stretch.
Carlisle shook his head. “This isn’t a minor deal. I’m not keen on dealing with strangers.” Although their interactions with the internet café owner had been limited, there was a sense of familiarity with Ivan. He seemed more trustworthy than an anonymous buyer online.
The door opened, and Ivan entered with three cans of Coke, his movements smooth. He kicked the door closed with his foot, handing a can to each of them. “Let’s get to know each other. I’m Ivan Sanders, but you can call me Mr. Sanders.”
Ivan sat on the bed, popping open his soda with a flick of his wrist, and gave them a sinister grin.
Mr. Sanders? The name sounded vaguely familiar to Carlisle, but it didn’t click at first.
Back at Rainville High, Ivan was the guy that bullies leaned on, the one everyone whispered about. Carlisle hadn’t met him directly, but the name Mr. Sanders was often mentioned in hushed tones by those who feared him.
Sean’s grip on his Coke tightened, his nerves on edge as the weight of the name settled in.
“Hello, Mr. Sanders. I’m Carlisle,” said Carlisle, his tone calm despite the tension rising inside him.
“Hello, Mr. Sanders. I’m Sean.” Sean’s voice trembled slightly, betraying his unease.
Ivan’s gaze flickered between the two, his interest piqued by Carlisle’s composure. “So, you guys are high schoolers, huh? Freshmen or sophomores?” he asked, his words laced with a mix of curiosity and calculation.
Ivan was no stranger to intimidation. He knew how to use his reputation to get what he wanted. The name Mr. Sanders carried weight, and he liked to remind people of it. But Carlisle wasn’t the typical high school student who would cower.
“I’m a senior, just finished my SATs,” Carlisle replied coolly, maintaining his calm exterior despite the intimidating situation.
Ivan raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Carlisle’s demeanor. He wondered if the young man had some powerful backer—someone who could influence the deal in unexpected ways.
After taking a sip of Coke, Ivan cut straight to the heart of the matter. “How much are you planning to sell the Heavenly Sword for?”
Carlisle thought for a moment before raising his hand, holding up nine fingers.
Ivan lit a cigarette, inhaled deeply, and shook his head. “That’s too high. Selling the Heavenly Sword for 90 thousand is impossible, despite how rare it is.”
Sean shot a nervous glance at Carlisle, worried that the price might drop even further. On the forums, several big spenders were offering over 100 thousand for the sword. If they auctioned it, it could even fetch 150 thousand.
After a brief pause, Carlisle smiled, his expression unwavering. “Everyone knows the value of the Heavenly Sword now. But I’m willing to be friends with you, Mr. Sanders. You can have it for a friendly price of 80 thousand.”
What? Sean’s jaw dropped in disbelief. Carlisle was actually lowering the price by 10 thousand?
The Heavenly Sword, worth well over 100 thousand, was now being offered for 80 thousand? Sean couldn’t wrap his head around it. To put it into perspective, that was about the cost of an entire second-hand house in Rainville, where housing prices hovered around 170 dollars per square foot.
Ivan, though caught off guard by the price reduction, began to appreciate Carlisle’s straightforwardness. The 80 thousand price tag was still a good deal, but coming up with that much money on such short notice wouldn’t be easy.
After a moment’s hesitation, Ivan gritted his teeth. “Alright, 80 thousand it is. I need to make a phone call to gather the funds.”
Carlisle stood up, a smile playing on his lips. “No problem. We’ll come back tomorrow.”
Ivan immediately shook his head. “No, I need to get it today. If you leave, you might find another buyer.”
“Alright, try your best to be quick,” Carlisle replied, sitting back down in his chair.
Ivan nodded, his voice now tinged with urgency. “It might take a while. In the meantime, feel free to use the Internet upstairs. I’ll set up two computers for you.”
Carlisle and Sean left the room, heading upstairs to use the internet. Meanwhile, Ivan pulled out his cell phone and started making calls, his mind racing. Two years ago, he had been known as a bit of a rogue. But since marrying, he had mellowed out, though he still relied on some unsavory tactics to get what he wanted. His internet café, initially financed by his father-in-law, was a valuable asset. But 80 thousand dollars in cash? That would take a little work.
As Ivan dialed his contacts, he knew one thing for certain: he couldn’t afford to let this deal slip away.
