The Shelter Game: Me, Starting with a Tenfold Drop Rate

"Here is your water, Mr.Irving." Daisy said. A peculiar expression crossed her youthful, beautiful face as she handed him the glass. "The Deputy Manager has already sent someone to fetch the gold from the other banks. It should take about half an hour."

An impressive ten billion in gold, which certainly made Irving a high-profile customer for the bank. Just the transaction fees alone would bring in a significant amount.

What made Irving even more valuable was his status as a top-tier black card holder. The Deputy Manager understood better than anyone how important this man was and had specifically reminded Daisy to accommodate this high-profile client.

Accommodate? Essentially, she was being subtly prompted.

Daisy thought about the lengths other female staff would go to in order to please big clients and keep their positions in the bank. A flush crept onto her cheeks at the thought.

"Would you mind helping me with a personal matter?" Irving suddenly asked.

The flush on Daisy\'s cheeks deepened, but she swiftly made up her mind, moved to sit next to Irving, and offered him a radiant smile. "Mr.Irving, please feel free to ask me anything. If it\'s within my capabilities, I\'d be glad to help."

She had already braced herself, ready to acquiesce even if Irving were to make some "excessive" demands at this point.

This man\'s appearance not only allowed her to exceed her performance targets during her internship period, but she also understood that if she wanted to thrive in her banking career in the future, she would have to rely on him.

Outside, the bank\'s female staffers were busy gossiping and envying Daisy\'s good fortune. Some were even scheming to poach this high-profile client from her.

"Do you know of any vacant manors or villas in the capital city?" Irving continued. "Even if it\'s in a distant suburb, I\'m interested in purchasing one."

A manor?

Daisy was surprised but quickly composed herself, her eyebrows knitting together in thought.

Although a bank isn\'t a real estate agency, it pays great attention to large, fixed-asset properties like manor homes. After all, people who can afford such properties are prime targets for banks.

Moreover, banks have a natural advantage when it comes to mortgages.

Some people, in a hurry to raise large funds for investments, would mortgage their fixed assets with the bank. However, investment bears risks – a successful venture can bring great wealth, but failure can result in ruin.

Many who had failed in their investments had their properties seized by the bank.

That\'s why Irving didn\'t go directly to a real estate agent but instead asked Daisy. Buying a bank\'s foreclosed property could simplify the process, eliminating any further disputes after settling the price.

As a black card holder, Irving naturally wanted to utilize the privileges at his disposal.

"Yes." Daisy responded. Although she was just an intern, she was privy to some inside information. She nodded and continued, "Recently, we auctioned off a luxury villa located in the suburbs."

"The luxury villa is situated on a hillside, surrounded by mountains and water. Not only is the scenery breathtaking, but the area is also vast, and it comes equipped with all the necessary facilities..." Daisy began her brief introduction before her expression turned somewhat complicated. "However, this villa has failed to sell at auction three times already. No one dares to buy it."

"Why?" Irving asked, puzzled.

If Daisy\'s description was accurate, the villa\'s location and construction were top-notch, perfectly meeting Irving\'s needs.

He urgently needed a place to store supplies.

When the apocalypse arrives, areas with high population density are more likely to experience large-scale riots. The suburbs, therefore, are the best choice to avoid much trouble.

Given how desirable the villa sounded, the only reason Irving could think of for it remaining unsold was the price.

"The total construction cost of the villa is at least two billion dollars, considering it\'s within the city limits of the capital." Daisy explained, pausing before continuing. "The initial auction price was eighteen billion dollars, the second auction dropped it to twelve billion dollars, and the most recent auction offered it at just six billion dollars... yet still, there were no bidders."

Not a price issue?

Irving was surprised. The price had dropped from eighteen billion dollars to six billion dollars—a reduction of two-thirds. Given both the policy and the cost prices, such a prime asset should have been snatched up long ago.

His curiosity grew. Could it be that a murder had taken place there? Or was it a haunted house?

"Irving, I suggest you wait a little longer. Similar manor villas should be available soon. I can inform you when that happens." Daisy sighed.

Although she could earn a considerable commission if she managed to sell the foreclosed villa, she hesitated.

She preferred to forgo the commission rather than risk putting this valuable client who had helped her in danger.

Irving\'s keen eyes detected subtle changes in Daisy\'s expression. Sensing something amiss, he said solemnly, "Just tell me the truth about the villa. Whether I buy it or not is none of your concern."

Daisy had no choice but to reveal what she knew: "The previous owner of the villa was the boss of a major underground gang in the capital. He\'s now in prison for some reason. When he heard his villa was being auctioned, he threatened to kill anyone who dared to buy it once he\'s out of jail!"

"The gang leader is due to be released from prison in a month or two." Daisy added.

Upon hearing this, Irving understood. No wonder such a desirable property had failed to sell three times.

A smile appeared on his face. While others feared the gang leader\'s vengeance, he did not.

In one or two months, the apocalypse would have already arrived. The gang leader who had issued the threat might not even survive to get out of prison, and even if he did, so what?

"Take me to see the villa now." Irving said, standing up.

After the third wave of catastrophes, the Dark Lord would truly descend upon Blue Star. There was not much time left for him.

"But..." Daisy was momentarily stunned. She looked at the man in front of her with a complex expression. Quite a few clients had shown interest in this villa, but after hearing the gang leader\'s threats, some even forfeited their deposits and immediately abandoned the auction, fearing they\'d bring trouble upon themselves.

Yet this man didn\'t hesitate at all and wanted to buy the villa outright.

For Irving, this situation was no different from a windfall falling straight into his lap.

"Alright, I\'m in a hurry." Irving said.

Quickly, after making a phone call to the assistant manager, Daisy secured the keys to the villa. They then got into Irving\'s Maybach and headed toward the suburbs.

Inside the bank, the female staff members watched the Maybach gradually disappear around the corner, their faces filled with envy.

"Who would have thought that young man was so rich? He might be an heir to a major family."

"It\'s such a pity. What was I thinking just now? If I had been the one to serve him, the person sitting in that Maybach now would be me."

"Is there any point in saying that now... " they all sighed in regret and frustration.

Twenty minutes later.

A Maybach drove along a mountain path, arriving at the base of a hill. They continued up the only road leading to the villa for a few more minutes until they reached the mountainside.

A luxurious villa appeared before their eyes.

Guided by Daisy, Irving toured the villa. Although it had been unoccupied for a long time, a cleaning lady came by every one or two days to keep it tidy.

The villa, built on the mountainside, had three floors above ground, complete with a reception hall, dining room, and study. There was also a swimming pool and a garden outside. Additionally, two underground levels had been dug out. The first basement level was set up as a gym and an entertainment room, while the second basement level was still under construction and mostly empty.

Half an hour later, having familiarized himself with the villa, Irving and Daisy returned to the first-floor hall and sat on the sofa.

"If I want to buy this villa immediately, how much will it cost?" Irving asked directly, getting straight to the point.

"Five billion dollars." Daisy quoted the lowest price given by the assistant manager without adding any markup.

Including the land, the original cost of the villa had been twenty billion dollars. To close the deal at just five billion dollars, a quarter of the original price, was a steal. Irving nodded in satisfaction.

For properties like this, especially one owned by a gang leader, the bank was eager to sell it off quickly to recover the loan amount.

Soon, Irving had Daisy prepare the transaction contract, ready to purchase the villa outright.

A few minutes later, a printed contract emerged from the fax machine. As soon as Irving signed his name on the contract, Daisy made up her mind.

She gently embraced Irving and whispered in his ear, "Mr.Irving, thank you for helping me so much. How can I ever repay you?"