After that, Jiro sighed again with deep annoyance as he said regretfully, “I’ve just arrived at Aurous Hill this morning. I came here directly immediately after completing the immigration procedures. I did not make it in time to go to the stadium to watch your match today, Miss Ito. I heard that you defeated your opponent in just one round today. I feel really regretful that I was not able to watch the match!”Nanako replied, “Mr. Kobayashi, you’re too kind.”“From now on, I’ll definitely be there to cheer for you in every single one of your matches, Miss Ito!”“To be honest, my Kobayashi Pharma sponsored this combat and fighting championship. When the time comes, I will be presenting the trophies to the winners of the championship. I can’t wait and I am already looking forward to the finals, where I will be presenting the champion’s trophy to you, Miss Ito!”Nanako replied humbly, “Mr. Kobayashi, before the competition is over, no one knows for certain who will win the championshi
Nanako did not expect to hear that Jiro’s brother had actually died in Aurous Hill. She felt a little embarrassed and thus, hurriedly said, “Sorry, Mr. Kobayashi. I had accidentally mentioned and reminded you of your painful memory.”Jiro hurriedly waved his hand before he said seriously, “It doesn’t matter. Although this is a very depressing matter, Miss Ito, you are not an outsider to me after all. I can also relieve some of my sadness and grievances by telling you about it too…”In fact, Jiro was not sad at all when he thought about his brother, Ichiro. On the contrary, he was actually very happy.The idea of the eldest son inheriting the family business had always been deeply ingrained in the mind of the Japanese.No matter how big or powerful a family was, the eldest son would always inherit the family business eventually. Even if the eldest son’s ability was not as good as the second son or the other sons’, he would still end up as the head of the family and his more capable
Jiro did not give up. Instead, he continued asking, “Then, why don’t you give it some thoughts now? What kind of man would be able to meet your criteria and standards?”Nanako thought carefully before she said, “First of all, the main criterion is that he would have to be better than me!”“Better than you? In what sense? In his career? Education? Or his achievements?”Nanako replied seriously, “He would have to be better and stronger than me in terms of his combat and fighting skills! I do not want to find a man who would not be able to defeat me in the future.”Jiro coughed awkwardly as he thought to himself, ‘Although Nanako looks like a quiet person, she’s actually a rather competitive person.’It would be fine if she enjoyed combat and fighting and wanted to pursue combat and fighting on her own. However, why would she have to look for a man who is stronger and more capable compared to her when it came to love?After all, he was a physically weak person who lacked strength. W
Aurora smiled shyly before she said obediently, “I got it, Dad. I’ll accompany Master Wade and drink a little with him then.”Charlie smiled slightly before he said, “Aurora, I will have to help you absorb the power of the magical pills after dinner. So, it isn’t very good for you to be drinking now. If you really want to drink with me, then you can just wait to drink with me after you win the championship.” Aurora bit her lower lip and she was felt very unconfident as she said, “Master Wade, to be honest, if I were to compete against Ito Nanako, I am not even 20% confident that I will be able to win…after all, Ito Nanako is really very strong and powerful. She has no rivals at all among those who are of the same age as her.”Charlie smiled before he asked, “Is Ito Nanako really that amazing?”Aurora said, “Ito Nanako had started practicing combat and fighting since she was five years old. Moreover, she had always been training under the top combat and fighting master from Japan.
Charlie nodded as he said, “Okay, you can take the medicine now and I’ll guide you to absorb the medicine quickly!”The magical pill itself was a very good medicine for the treatment of any physical or internal injuries. As it was shrouded in some Reiki, the effect of this medication had been qualitatively sublimated.Middle-aged and elderly people would have a lot of physical conditions in their bodies, and their organs would also have reached a certain degree of regression. Therefore, as soon as they took the magical pill, the effect of the medicine would act directly on these patients to repair their bodies and there was no need to guide them at all.However, since a young person’s body was still strong and since her organs would generally still be at their peak, the powerful magical effects of the pills would not be absorbed into her body if she were to just take the medicine blindly. If a human’s body were to be compared to a sponge, the body of a middle-aged or elderly perso
As Charlie was guiding the absorption of the medicine in Aurora’s body, Charlie deliberately placed some Reiki in Aurora’s body. This was so the Reiki could silently supplement Aurora’s body like the spring rain.The effect of the Reiki was even more powerful than the effect of the magical pill that he had previously concocted himself. It would not only greatly improve Aurora’s physical fitness, but it would also greatly strengthen her muscles, meridians, bones, and her internal organs.Although Aurora had been practicing combat and fighting for many years, she was still an ordinary person after all. For an ordinary person, the power of Reiki was even more powerful than a panacea.Aurora’s physical strength was beyond comparison now.When Charlie told Aurora that everything was done, Aurora let out a long sigh. After that, she hurriedly stood up before she walked over to the sandbag to perform several sets of punching movements.However, since Aurora did now know how much Charlie
Aurora hurriedly said, “Master Wade, you have to come for my match the day after tomorrow!”“Don’t worry. I’ll definitely be there!”***At this moment, at the country’s largest entertainment company, Yorkbel Entertainment Group, located at the central business district of Eastcliff, Yorkbel’s top female artiste, Quinn, was in the Yorkbel Entertainment Group’s studio as she was shooting for the cover of a fashion magazine at this time.This would be the fourth time that she was going to appear on the cover of a fashion magazine. Therefore, it was already commonplace to her.Quinn was inside the studio and she was wearing a black and white contrasting dress which was specifically tailored made for her by Chanel. She looked a little aloof in her glamor and she looked like a strong woman who could only be looked at from a distance, but could not be toyed with.After the photographer took several shots of her in succession, Quinn finally completed her task. At this time, her assistan
After she was done with her photoshoot, Quinn told Yason, “Mr. Yandell, if there is nothing else, then I’ll be heading back first. I’m not feeling too well today.”Yason hurriedly asked with concern, “Miss Quinn, your stomach discomfort has not been completely healed yet, has it?”Quinn shook her head before she said, “I was filming in the United States some time ago. I’m not used to the food and drinks there. In addition, since I was filming for long hours, I think I had hurt my stomach during that period of time. Therefore, I am planning to be recuperating at home during this period of time. You don’t have to arrange any work or activities for me for the next month.”Yason naturally did not dare to disobey her and he hurriedly said, “Don’t worry, Miss Quinn. You can take the whole month off to rest at home. I’ll definitely go to your house and apologize to your father some other day. When you were filming in the United States, I should have arranged for a couple of chefs to look a
In Treasure Measure, even Billy was having a hard time understanding what was going on.Before he came, Zachary made it very clear that he was here to dupe Raymond Cole, and he had come.As such, his job was now to claim that this bronze sculpture which was made in the last century was actually from the Renaissance era and then sell it to Raymond at a cutthroat price.But now, Raymond himself was saying that it was medieval? What was that supposed to mean?Even as he was left confused, he blurted out, "Sir, if you say it's from medieval times… then how much is it worth?"Raymond thought about it and said, "It's quite an unpopular item, but it's not to say that no one would buy it or that no one likes it. The main issue is that there were plenty of wars at that time, and most bronze would be used for weapons. Copper production would be low with rationing as well, so bronze tools were naturally rare for civilians.""Gilding is common for better quality items, and from the northern
Zachary couldn't help pointing at the screen and snapping, "Fucking loser! The more you feel pressed, the less you should be nervous! What are you thinking?! You're falling right under that bastard's trap!"Jacob was frustrated too, growling through his teeth, "Shit! I didn't think that bastard was a sly old fox. Fucking hell!"He then sighed, shaking his head. "Forget it, Zachary—I'm going home to pack my shit, and I'll depart for Dubai first thing tomorrow. Just handle that bronze sculpture for me and wire the money over."As he was about to get off, Zachary sighed in exasperation and apologetically said, "Sorry, Mr. Wilson… but it's fine! Even if this plan screwed up, just let me cook up another plan to destroy Raymond Cole!"Jacob ignored him as he strode out of the car, but that was when Raymond spoke audibly from Zachary's phone, "You can calm down. I'm not accusing you of lying to me. I just think that it's not Renaissance… Rather, it's medieval.""E-Early medieval…?" Billy
In Treasure Measure, Raymond unwrapped the red cloth around the bronze sculpture in front of Billy and the camera.There was a brief flash of surprise on his face, and it was soon gone.Still, he picked up the bronze sculpture, fiddling with it as he asked, "Do you know where it's from?""Yeah," Billy nodded. "A Renaissance-era sculpture. I think the base makes it obvious."Raymond looked up at him and asked in curiosity, "Are you sure about that?"Billy, presuming that Raymond had already noticed a catch, quickly said, "Well, the old man had an expert check it, and the expert said it was immediately obvious! To be honest, I want to sell it because the old man just passed away—gotta sell this baby before my brother goes for a garage sale."He had certainly added more details to the script, and Raymond nodded as he said nonchalantly, "But it doesn't look Renaissance to me. Sculptures from that era—be it the craftsmanship or the unique attributes? It's quite different from this one
In the antique trade, items that raised eyebrows would only be shown in the evenings—when various shops were about to close.That was certainly the case in Antique Street, as most items arriving in the evening were either freshly excavated, stolen, or forgery used to dupe unsuspecting victims.Even if Raymond had started his career abroad, he had learned every last unspoken rule during his earlier stint in Aurous Hill.Seeing the wariness on Billy's face and the way he was holding something in his arms, Raymond knew right away that what he carried wasn't legal.Still, the antique trade was no different here than it was abroad.Tomb raiding, forgery, or adding some touch-ups that increased the value of an item—everyone across the globe pretty much played the same tricks, and Raymond had his fair share of experience.Still, he did not let his wariness show, instead grinning, "Yes, of course. Come on in—let's talk inside!"And with that, he quickly led Billy inside.Meanwhile, bot
"Five hundred grand?"Mick chuckled. "Well, the sculpture looks Renaissance, and the craftsmanship as well as the material are all ideal. It would sell for up to two million in an auction, while established antique traders like us could offer up to a million. So, why the lowball?"Bill sighed. "I won't lie—it belonged to my old man, who just croaked this afternoon. But you see, he left a will stating that every antique in the house would be given to my brother… Since he's playing favorites, I thought I had to get something for myself.""That's why I quietly sneaked this baby out without anyone else knowing and am trying to sell it quickly to change my own circumstances. You don't have to tell me how many millions it's worth—I'm not that greedy. Give me five hundred grand, and it's yours."Mick shrugged as he shot back, "If it's as you say and your old man intended for your brother to have it, the fact that you sneaked it out here makes this theft. Do you think I'd buy stolen proper
It was half past six, and the skies were darkening when a figure hurried into Antique Street, heading straight toward the center—to Vintage Deluxe.Mick Crane, the manager, was holding the fort with some of his employees, and there were some guests window shopping there as well. As Mick asked the employees to assist the guests, he waited anxiously for Billy—Zachary's henchman.Nonetheless, a certain figure rushed inside within minutes, asking eagerly as he entered, "Is the manager in? Do you still buy antiques?""Yes, and yes!" Mick exclaimed as he approached Billy enthusiastically, asking, "May I ask what you're planning to sell?"Billy looked around before sneakily holding up a parcel wrapped in red cloth, carefully lifting a corner to reveal an edge so that Mick could see.Then, he promptly lowered the cloth again, whispering, "This is the good stuff. I'm just not sure if you have the money to buy it."Mick grinned. "What are you saying? If it's something Vintage Deluxe coul
Jacob chuckled. "Can't tell you right now. But I will once it's done.""Well, have you decided when we're going to Dubai?" Elaine quickly pressed.Jacob said, "I'd have to wait until tonight to see if this deal works, but we're leaving first thing tomorrow. I'll get the tickets first, and we will be staying at the Burj Al-Arab that I told you about. People are always saying how amazing it is on the internet every day, seeing how luxurious the seven-star hotel is, but I'll be the judge of that."Elaine was overjoyed to hear that. "That's amazing! And I was just thinking we can't go sooner! Go about your business, then. I'll pack our luggage right away."Jacob chuckled smugly. "Don't pack so much, though. Just stick to the necessities, since we can get the rest over there!""Alright!" Elaine exclaimed, beside herself in excitement. "Alright, you hurry up and get your thing done over there. I'll start packing now!"After hanging up, Elaine called Charlie, who was in Champs Elys Reso
As Zachary agreed to do a favor for Vintage Deluxe's Mick Crane in passing, he and Jacob agreed to meet up at 7pm at the car park by Antique Street.He first took Jacob back to the Calligraphy and Painting Association and called Billy, one of his boys whom he thought was smarter than the rest, giving him the gist of the plan and telling him to familiarize himself with the script.Then, he took the sculpture back to Heaven Springs and met up with Billy in office, telling Billy what to do in finer detail and making sure he committed everything to memory.Zachary's strength as a judge of character certainly proved itself—Billy had never done anything like this before, but he took to the plan like fish to water. He committed the script to memory soon enough, and he was flawless.Once he made sure that Billy was fine, Zachary called Mick.As soon as Mick answered, he immediately asked, "Hello, Mr. Evans. How is that thing we talked about going?"Zachary chuckled. All the arrangements
Zachary continued, "Why do you think casinos are always making a profit? It's exactly because no matter how unassuming a guest is the first time, they would be allowed to win a couple of hands, making a little profit.""And suddenly, they would think that they are the chosen one, destined to win against all odds and always come out triumphant! Once such radical, blind confidence hits them, every last bit of his money would be lost to the casino!""At that point, you can get anything from them—their house, their wife, their children… hell, they'd be willing to die if you'd just let them gamble again!"Turning toward Jacob with a grin, Zachary then asked, "So, with all the points I made and that sculpture you're holding… Do you still think Raymond wouldn't fall for it?"Jacob laughed out loud. "Oh, talk about a plan within a plan! No one would ever see it coming! Raymond Cole is so screwed!"Zachary smiled and nodded. "That's why there's no reason to rush—I'll arrange a man to get r