Jonathan Skye walked to the scene and helped his son up. He whispered to the guard, who nodded and spoke, "Mr. Heights, you're going to have to leave."
"What!" Garfield shouted in anger. "We can't have you causing a nuisance on the premises." The Guard added. Garfield, still seething, nodded, "Fine. But I want to speak to the host of this event."
The guard hesitated, then whispered to his comrade and turned to Gar, "Very well. Ms. Patel will be here in a minute."
Sophia Patel, a poised and elegant woman, emerged from the crowd, with a disappointed look, she spoke, "Garfield, I'm afraid you're going to exit the building. My regards to Scott."
Garfield smiled with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Ms. Patel, I'd like to make you an offer. I'll buy this building, and every single painting in it. Tonight."
The room erupted into chaos, with guests gasping and whispering to each other. Sophia Patel's eyes widened in shock. She cleared her throat and looked around the room.
"Garfield, that's... that's impossible. This is a priceless collection." Ms. Patel said with a stunned look.
Garfield shrugged and replied confidently, "Name your price.". "Gar..." Evelyn called with surprise in her eyes. Ms. Patel, trying to maintain her composure, took a deep breath and said, "Very well, Garfield. For a man like you, I can offer this collection, including the building, for... 500 million."
She paused and eyed Garfield challengingly, expecting him to back down. But Garfield just scoffed and spoke softly, "I didn't expect it to be this cheap, where's your Credit Card Machine?"
The room fell silent again, some guests stared at Garfield in disbelief, while others looked at him with shock. Ms. Patel's eyes widened even further, and she took a step back, clearly unprepared for Garfield's response.
"Gar, that's... that's an absurd amount of money," Evelyn stammered. "We can just leave, I don't want you to be embarrassed." She continued. Garfield shrugged his shoulders and whispered to her. "I'm a man who gets what I want, And I want this collection."
Just when the Credit Card Machine was being fetched, the system notified Garfield:
"Insufficient Balance
Available Balance: $309,600
Purchase Amount: $500,000,000
Deficit: $499,690,400
You do not have sufficient funds to complete this purchase. However, the Synergy System is willing to extend credit to you. Please confirm to proceed with the purchase and accept the debt agreement.
DEBT TERMS:
- Amount: $499,690,400
- Repayment Terms: Negotiable
Confirm to accept the debt agreement and complete the purchase."
Gar's eyes widened. He forgot that he didn't have enough. But he couldn't back down and be embarrassed, he accepted the debt agreement and the system extended credit to him. He brought out the Synergy Credit Card and waited for the machine to be brought. The card had a sleek and minimalist design, the name SYNERGY was written on it, and the card number was 8888 8888 8888 8888. It had no expiration date, and its security code was 0000. The card was colored with plain black and golden designs, which gave it a luxurious and exclusive feel, while the simple text and numbers added a touch of sophistication.
His card was charged, and Ms. Patel acknowledged that she had received the money. The crowd began to murmur because they were stunned at how an average man like Garfield could have $500,000,000.
"Alright now, I'd appreciate it if someone would get Mr. Skye and his spoiled son off my property." Garfield ordered. "Skye Enterprise was Artisan's Haven's biggest sponsor, but not anymore. You've declared war on the Skye family, and we never lose." Jonathan Skye said. "I don't need your support, Jonathan. This isn't the Artisan's Haven, not anymore. You're now standing in Garfield's Gambit." Gar replied boldly. "Can someone get them off my gallery right now?" Gar shouted, and the security guards escorted the Skyes from the building.
After a while, Garfield climbed the stage to make a speech. He cleared his throat and spoke, "Ladies and gentlemen, I know this night took a drastic turn. And one that no one expected, not even me. You know, when I left my home tonight, I didn't picture events unfolding like it did. But, as they say, the show must go on. And I say, let's make it a night to remember!".
"Despite the... unexpected events, I invite you all to continue enjoying yourselves. Take in the beauty of the art surrounding you, enjoy the fine food and drinks, and interact with the wonderful people. If you notice a piece that speaks to you, don't hesitate to purchase it. Support the artists, and take a souvenir of this unforgettable evening home with you." Garfield said. He paused and looked at the crowd for a while.
"Let's not let a little drama get in the way of a great evening. So, let's raise a glass and toast to new beginnings, to art, and the unpredictable nature of life. Cheers!" He continued, and the crowd applauded and continued with their interactions.
"How... How did you buy this place?" Evelyn asked Gar in whispers. "I paid with my card." Gar replied and squinted his eyes. "No, I mean, where did you get $500 million?" Evelyn rephrased. "Oh, it's alright, don't worry about that." Gar answered.
Evelyn looked skeptical, but Garfield just smiled and changed the subject. "So, what do you think of the gallery? Isn't it amazing?"
Evelyn nodded, still looking puzzled. "Yes, it's incredible. But Gar, seriously, how did you...?"
Garfield leaned in, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Let's just say I have my ways."
Just then, Ms. Patel approached them, a smile on her face. "Mr. Heights, I must say, I'm overwhelmed. I didn't think you'd go through with it."
Garfield grinned. "I've hidden in the shadows for too long. Tonight, I chose to leave my comfort zone and explore new horizons."
Sophia nodded, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I see. Well, I suppose I'll have to get used to calling you the owner of this gallery."
Garfield chuckled. "No, please, call me Garfield. We're going to be working closely together because I want us to form a partnership. With each art sold, we can split our income equally.". "That would be wonderful." Sophia agreed.
As they talked, the crowd began to disperse, and the evening drew to a close. Garfield watched, satisfied, as people left with big smiles on their faces, clutching their newfound art treasures.