Chapter Four: The People Who Auction Tomorrow

established fifteen years ago. The benefactor was Lin Che. “Old you sent young you the money?” Tang asked. “No. Someone gave the money a legal past.” The address on the black invitation had changed as well. Obsidian's penthouse had become the ninety-ninth floor of Everlight Center. The appointment remained midnight. Lin arrived on time. The elevator had no floor buttons, only a live global index. The hall above resembled a windowless stock exchange. Thirty-six guests wore white masks. Before each lay a life-insurance policy covering his or her own death. Ye Guanlan stood at the auction podium. “Tonight's lot is the closing level of the Long Night Global Index twenty-four hours from now.” The screen displayed 7431.08.