Chapter Four: The People Who Auction Tomorrow

The current level was 8012.44. By tomorrow night, at least nine trillion dollars would vanish from global assets. The guests did not panic. They began bidding. One offered five billion for the right to trade ten minutes early. Another pledged a seaport. What they were buying was not information, but permission to stand on the correct side before disaster struck. Lin's account displayed a different number. [TOMORROW'S SETTLEMENT: 8120.77.] One future. Two prices. “Fifty billion.” Gu Chenzhou's voice descended from the balcony. He looked younger than the man in Lin's memory. An Everlight sun gleamed on his chest, and certificates controlling twelve global exchanges covered the wall behind him.