Helpless against the machinery of The Elysium Lounge’s staff preparation, Jax was forced to endure a full session with the stylist.
When he finally emerged, sporting a sharp new haircut, he caught his reflection in the full-length mirror. He had to admit—he looked somewhat dashing.
"I didn't think it was possible to improve on perfection," he muttered, smoothing a stray lock of hair to the side. "Still got it."
He struck a narcissistic, "cool guy" pose, admired the effect for a second too long, and then strutted out of the dressing room.
Hazel was waiting. She had finished her makeup and slipped into an evening gown that transformed her entire demeanor.
Jax stopped in his tracks, his internal scoring system involuntarily booting up.
Not bad. Really not bad.
He had previously pegged her as an eighty-pointer—solidly attractive but nothing earth-shattering. But in that gown, with the fabric clinging to curves he hadn't noticed before, the rating spiked.
Ninety points. Easily.
Hazel noticed him eyeing her up and down. Her expression instantly hardened into a scowl.
"What are you gawking at? Hurry up and get ready!"
Jax blinked, feigning innocence. "Ready for what?"
He was flying blind. He had no experience in the high-end auction industry and honestly didn't know what his role as an "assistant" entailed.
Hazel sighed, a flicker of disappointment crossing her eyes. "You really don't know anything, do you? I’m starting to regret helping you."
She shoved a clipboard into his hands. "This is the manifest. It lists every item going up for auction tonight."
She pointed toward a heavy door. "Your job is to go backstage and verify that everything on this list is physically present. If it’s there, check the box. Once you're done, help the crew move the items to the staging area behind the curtain."
Jax nodded, glancing around until he spotted the door marked: Backstage Elevator Entrance.
"Got it. I'll head over now. Do you need me on stage with you later?"
"Why would you go on stage?" Hazel scoffed, popping a pecan into her mouth. "Do you think the audience paid to see your face? Just get the prep work done!"
Jax shook his head helplessly. With the clipboard in hand, he retreated toward the backstage area.
The backstage storage was a cavernous, high-security zone. Over a dozen guards patrolled the room, their eyes scanning constantly.
One of the guards tensed as Jax approached, but after Jax flashed his newly acquired staff badge, the man relaxed—slightly.
"The inventory is over there," the guard grunted, pointing to a row of secured crates. "Everything is labeled. Be careful when you check them."
Jax nodded and approached the first crate. He was genuinely curious. The Elysium Lounge was the playground of the elite, and this auction was the core event. The guests tonight were the heavy hitters of Redrock Bastion—leaders, tycoons, and rumors suggested even management-level big shots from the central district might make an appearance.
These were people whose identities were usually shrouded in secrecy. Even if you saw them, you might not recognize them. This was the first auction under the new Chief, so the tension in the air was palpable.
Jax glanced at the first item on his list and stood before a metallic box about half a meter wide. He reached out to test its weight. It was incredibly heavy.
"Hey!" The guard barked, stepping forward. "Those contents are extremely valuable. You need authorization to open them! Just check the labels and take inventory. Do not touch the items inside, and definitely don't try to move them yourself. If you scratch anything, you’ll be paying for it the rest of your life."
Jax gave an apologetic smile, though internally he scoffed.
Core components for Defense Towers.
Rare, yes. Expensive, certainly. But to Jax, currently useless.
He moved down the line, pen scratching against the paper as he matched labels to the manifest. He worked quickly, verifying everything until he reached the final page.
"Huh?" Jax frowned. "There's more? 'Experimental Products'?"
He looked around the room. Every crate had been accounted for and marked. There were no experimental products in sight.
He flagged down the guard captain. "Where are the experimental items listed on the last page?"
The captain didn't even look up from his patrol route. "You don't need to worry about those. They haven't been delivered yet. Special personnel will handle their inspection when they arrive."
The captain snatched the clipboard, scrawled a signature on the bottom, and turned his back on Jax.
"Dismissed."
Wow. Is everyone in this place born arrogant?
Jax suppressed the urge to retort. He was just a lowly assistant right now; no point in blowing his cover.
He took the signed manifest back to the lounge and handed it to Hazel.
"Finished? Confirmed?" Hazel asked. She had finished the pecans and was now demolishing a bag of pine nuts.
"Yeah, all checked. The guard captain said the experimental products are exempt—they aren't here yet."
Hazel didn't seem concerned. She dusted nut crumbs off her hands. "Fine. Those are above our pay grade anyway."
She checked her watch. "Ten minutes to showtime. Just stay back there and make sure the items go out in the correct order. I don't need you for anything else."
Jax, feeling the fatigue of the day catching up to him, nodded and flopped into a chair near Hazel.
Across the room, the effeminate stylist glared at Jax for sitting so casually next to the star, but before he could complain, the door opened.
A man in a sleek, expensive suit walked in. His hair was gelled to perfection, and he wore a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. Jax recognized the type immediately—the slick male host.
He made a beeline for Hazel. "Hazel, darling, are you ready?"
Hazel didn't look up. She cracked another pine nut, her disinterest palpable. She gave a curt nod.
"Ahem." The host cleared his throat, his smile straining. "So, Hazel... I was thinking, after the auction wraps up, maybe we could grab a late dinner? Just the two of us?"
"Not interested," Hazel said flatly. "And definitely not with you."
She stood up, brushing off her dress, and turned her attention to Jax. "Listen up. Pay attention to the cues. When I announce the next lot, you signal the crew to move it. Don't screw this up."
"Understood," Jax waved a hand lazily.
He was bored. He still hadn't located Elena, and his mind was already drifting, formulating a plan to search the VIP areas during the auction.
Seeing Jax's lack of focus, Hazel’s eyes narrowed. A mischievous idea seemed to spark in her mind. She stepped closer to him.
"Hey," she said, loud enough for the room to hear. "You're taking me to dinner tonight."
Jax looked up, blinking. "Come again? You're treating me?"
"What? You’re not going to give me face?" Hazel’s voice took on a sharp, imperious edge.
She was Hazel. She was beautiful. Men lined up to buy her a drink. This assistant should be on his knees thanking the heavens.
Jax thought for a moment, then shook his head. "Sorry. I'm busy tonight."
The male host, who had been watching with jealous rage, let out a breath of relief, though his expression remained sour.
"Hazel," the host interjected, stepping between them. "Who is this guy? I've never heard of you needing a personal assistant."
Hazel glared at him. "None of your business."
She reached out and pinched the flesh of Jax’s shoulder, twisting it with surprising strength. Through gritted teeth, she whispered, "Are you going or not? If you refuse, I'll blow your cover right now."
Jax winced. Blackmail. Classy.
"Fine, fine!" Jax sighed dramatically. "If you insist, I’ll reluctantly drag myself along to eat with you."
The male host looked like he was about to explode.
"Who the hell do you think you are?" the host snapped at Jax. "What qualifies a nobody like you to dine with Hazel?"
Jax lazily shifted his gaze to the host. "And who are you? More importantly, are you some kind of simp?"
The host froze, his brow furrowing in genuine confusion. "Simp? What is that?"
Jax rolled his eyes. "Figure it out yourself."
He turned back to Hazel, ignoring the fuming man in the suit. "I agreed to dinner, but you have to do something for me in return."
Hazel smirked, releasing his shoulder. "If it's just finding someone, consider it done. As long as they are inside The Elysium Lounge, I can find them."
"Deal," Jax said.
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