Chapter 254: Tremors Across The Capital

Chapter 254: Chapter 254: Tremors Across The Capital

The digital realm went into complete meltdown at precisely 20:01.

By 20:05, all major news channels, financial news outlets, and entertainment streams across the country had dropped their scheduled programming to report on a single event: the lightning-fast sellout of the Meridian Gallery Autumn Gala tickets.

On ’Veyra Financial Network (VFN)’, anchor Sarah Jenkins adjusted her earpiece, her face displaying a mixture of shock and sheer awe as live metrics flashed across the screen behind her.

"If you are just tuning in, the public gateway for the Meridian Gallery Autumn Gala open pass allocation closed less than forty seconds after opening," Sarah announced, leaning into the camera. "Server logs indicate over 14 million concurrent connection requests hit the central portal at 20:00 sharp. Tier-3 Common Room access passes—priced at a staggering 20,000 Veyra Marks (VM)—were completely wiped out within fifty-eight seconds."

She gestured toward the digital board behind her, displaying the tiered breakdown:

[VIP Boxes / Booths / Rooms: Strictly Invitation Only

Tier 1 (Gallery Floor): 300,000 VM (Sold Out)

Tier 2 (Executive Mezzanine): 120,000 VM (Sold Out)

Tier 3 (Common Room Pass): 20,000 VM (Sold Out - 58 Seconds)

VVIP Royal Suite: Private Allocation (Reserved exclusively for Jake Rivers)]

"To put this into perspective," Sarah continued, turning to the panel of finance experts in the studio, "a Tier-3 pass costs equivalent to a full year of someone’s entry-level salary or a solid secondhand compact sedan. Yet tens of thousands of collectors, socialites, and middle-tier corporate executives fought through server crashes just to secure a seat in the *cheapest* room of the building."

Senior Financial Analyst Joel Mone chuckled, shaking his head. "Sarah, let’s call it what it is: the pricing structure is borderline predatory, yet people are practically begging to hand over their savings. Nobody is dropping 20,000 VM to view modern art. They are paying for a microscopic chance to breathe the same oxygen as the continent’s elite. But more importantly... they are paying for proximity to one man. The VVIP suite’s sole confirmed occupant: Jake Rivers."

"We actually have a caller on line two," Sarah noted, pressing her earbud. "David from Central District, you’re on air. What’s your take on these numbers?"

"It’s absolute madness, Sarah!" the caller’s voice boomed over the broadcast. "I’ve saved up for eight months to put a down payment on a family hatchback, and my sister just dropped 20,000 VM on a Tier-3 ticket! She doesn’t even know what a portfolio allocation is! People are taking out micro-loans just to stand in the back row!"

"And that right there proves my point," Joel Mone interjected with a grin. "The demand isn’t economic—it’s pure hype."

---

Online platforms exploded under the weight of trending hashtags. #MeridianGala, #JakeRivers, #20kForASeat, and #RiversAviation occupied the top four trending spots globally.

Live streams hosted by prominent lifestyle influencers were flooded with millions of comments in real-time. On LOOP, top luxury influencer ’Lady Luxe’ held up her hands to her two million viewers in disbelief, her manicure gleaming under her studio lights.

"Guys, I had three assistants on fiber-optic connections tapping F5 on the ticketing portal," she groaned, pouting at the camera. "We didn’t even see the purchase screen before the 502 Bad Gateway hit! Who are these people dropping 120k VM on Tier-2 passes like it’s pocket change?!"

The chat scrolled at hyper-speed with hundreds of comments per second, and Lady Luxe leaned close to her screen, reading them aloud.

"Trader_Chad88 says: ’20k VM for Tier 3?! Are you guys out of your minds?! That’s my entire portfolio gain from the gold spot trade!’ Chad, honey, at least you have gold gains! Most people just lost their rent!"

She scrolled down further, stopping at a viral post. "Wait, look at this comment from MayaVane_Stan: ’HER LUCK IS INSANE!! I heard a university girl actually snagged a Tier-3 ticket!! She literally spent 20k VM on it!!’ Um, excuse me?! A college student got a ticket and my talent agency couldn’t even snag a Tier 2? I am officially crying."

She tapped her acrylic nails against her phone screen, responding directly to another top comment. Institutional_Eye says: Y’all complaining about 20k VM while Tier 1 is sitting at 300,000 VM.

She glanced at the final pinned comment: "Retail_Dave says: ’I’d pay 50k VM just to stand near the balcony and hand Jake Rivers my resume.’ Dave, get in line! Half the city is trying to do the exact same thing!"

---

While the general public buzzed over ticket sales, the corporate sector was reeling from a far more massive seismic wave that had hit the financial registry earlier that afternoon.

On ’Capital Horizon Today’, veteran analyst Mace Mylta stood before an interactive touchscreen showing the legal incorporation profile of Rivers Aviation Ltd.

"While collectors and enthusiasts were obsessing over gala tickets, Golden Investments pulled off one of the most aggressive institutional moves in regional aviation history," Mace stated, tapping the screen to bring up the filing details. "Earlier today, former Royal Aviation COO Mark Thompson officially signed the corporate charter for Rivers Aviation Ltd. The company was registered with five hundred million marks in pure institutional equity."

The guest co-anchor gasped softly. "Five hundred million? Zero debt leverage?"

"Zero debt," Mace confirmed, nodding emphatically. "In a sector where aviation firms take on massive high-interest loans just to cover hangar leases and fuel reserves, Jake Rivers has handed Mark Thompson a half-billion-mark liquid war chest on Day One. Industry insiders are already predicting a total collapse of Royal Aviation within ninety days."

"What are analysts saying about Joe Bright?"

"Joe Bright is finished," Mace declared bluntly. "Internal sources confirm Joe Bright threatened legal action against Thompson, only to realize Golden Investments had already absorbed his entire executive talent. Royal Aviation’s stock plummeted twenty-four percent in after-hours trading the moment the corporate registry published Rivers Aviation’s incorporation papers."

Mace tapped the display again, pulling up a map of regional air routes. "Beyond Royal Aviation’s downfall, this completely reshapes the private charter market. With five hundred million marks in unencumbered liquidity, Rivers Aviation can undercut existing flight brokers by fifteen to twenty percent while offering brand-new long-range aircraft. They aren’t just entering the market—they’re setting up a monopoly before their first jet even leaves the tarmac."

---

Back in Dorm 412, the mood was pure electricity.

Maya was sitting on her bed, her laptop open as she scrolled through the viral news articles featuring the Meridian Gallery ticket frenzy.

"Look at this!" Maya squealed, pointing at a trending article on her screen. "*’Tier-3 Passes Reselling on Black Market for 45,000 VM!’* Tracy, do you realize what this means?! My 20,000 VM pass already doubled in value!"

Tracy, who was applying lipstick at her vanity mirror, turned around with an amused smile. "So are you going to sell it and pocket twenty grand in profit?"

"Are you crazy?!" Maya gasped, clutching her chest. "Sell my golden ticket to destiny?! Not for a million marks! Tomorrow morning, Central Avenue is going to see what real buying power looks like."

Zoe looked up from her workstation, a rare, thoughtful smile on her face as she looked at the headline discussing Rivers Aviation.

"You know, Maya..." Zoe said softly, adjusting her glasses. "Jake Rivers just capitalized a brand-new aviation firm with half a billion marks without blinking. You’re entering a room filled with tigers, sharks, and billionaires."

Maya leaned back against her pillows, looking at the glowing golden barcode on her screen, her eyes burning with ambition.

"Then it’s a good thing," Maya whispered with a smirk, "that I bought a seat."

---

Far away from the noise of the dormitories and the chaotic buzz of live broadcasts, the top floor of the Zenith was quiet.

Soft light bathed the sprawling living room. On the massive plush sofa, Jake was leaning back against the cushions, comfortable in a soft charcoal sweater. Catharine was curled up beside him, her head resting comfortably against his chest as her dark hair spilled across his shoulder. One of Jake’s arms was wrapped casually around her waist, his thumb lazily tracing small circles against her hip while they both slowly scrolled through their phones.

Catharine paused her feed, letting out a soft, melodic laugh. "Have you checked the local trending pages tonight?"

"Not really," Jake murmured, glancing down at her with a calm smile. "I spent four hours approving charter filings and escrow transfers. I’ve had enough numbers for one day."

"Well, according to LOOP and VFN," Catharine said, turning her phone screen toward him, "the Meridian Gallery Autumn Gala tickets went online at eight o’clock and completely sold out in less than a minute. People are paying twenty thousand marks just for standing room in the common hall."

Jake looked at the frantic headlines on her screen and chuckled softly. "Twenty thousand for an auction entry? I doubt half those people are actually interested in art. The auction catalog hasn’t even been released to the public yet."

Catharine shifted slightly, resting her chin on his chest to look up at him, her dark eyes filled with gentle amusement. "They aren’t going for the art, Jake. Look at the seating layout. The organizers publicly listed the VVIP suite as ’Reserved for Jake Rivers.’ Everyone is assuming you’ll be there. Half those socialites bought tickets hoping they might catch your eye or hand you a business proposal."

Jake smiled down at her, running a hand smoothly through her soft hair, his fingers lingering at the nape of her neck. "They’re going to be disappointed, then. I haven’t even confirmed my attendance with the gallery directors."

"You haven’t?" Catharine asked, raising an eyebrow. "It’s one of the biggest social gatherings of the quarter. Samuel mentioned earlier that your schedule was open for it."

"It’s just another room full of corporate directors trying to pitch me overpriced ventures," Jake replied smoothly, pulling her a little closer against his side. "Unless, of course... my beautiful girlfriend agrees to accompany me this time. That would actually make it worth attending."

Catharine gave a subtle, playful shake of her head, trying to suppress the warm smile tugging at her lips. "Nice try, Mr. Rivers. You know I prefer quiet evenings over standing in a crowded gallery while three hundred photographers flash cameras in our faces."

"A quiet evening can wait until after the gala," Jake said softly, leaning down to press a gentle, lingering kiss against her temple, his voice dropping into a low, persuasive murmur. "Besides, if you’re by my side, nobody will dare bother us with business pitches. Walk into the gallery with me, Cath."

Catharine looked at him for a long moment, feeling the steady beat of his heart under her cheek and the genuine warmth in his dark eyes. She let out a small, helpless sigh, her lips curving into an affectionate smile as she reached up to smooth the collar of his sweater.

"Fine," Catharine agreed softly, leaning up to press a quick, tender kiss to his jawline. "I’ll go with you. But only if you promise we leave before midnight."

Jake wrapped his arms tighter around her, pulling her completely back against his chest as he rested his chin on her hair. "It’s a promise."

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