As Adrian was indulging in his wishful thinking, the door of the conference room was pushed open strongly.Immediately afterward, Yule took big steps as he walked into the conference room, and he was glowing with good health and a ruddy complexion on his cheeks. He had a very majestic aura surrounding him.Charlie followed closely behind him as he entered the conference room with Yule.Everyone in the conference room, including Adrian and Rogan, were all shocked and stunned when they saw Yule, who was in high spirits and good health.Adrian and Rogan immediately exchanged glances with one another. Although the two brothers usually did not communicate much with one another, they were both thinking of the same thing at the moment: ‘Our eldest brother was so sick yesterday. How did he suddenly become so healthy and look so radiant today? It was just one night. Isn’t there too much of a difference?’Moreover, the other board members had not seen Yule in a long time. After seeing the n
Charlie, who was sitting beside Yule, could not help but feel a lot of admiration and respect for him when he heard his words.Yule’s remarks might seem to be a demonstration of his weakness, but it was, in truth, a demonstration of his power in front of the board of directors.He had deliberately talked about how he had led the company to continue advancing by leaps and bounds over the past twenty years. On the surface, it seemed as though he wanted everyone to reminisce about the past and their old feelings, but in essence, he was simply reminding this group of people that he was the one who had led the company to push forward by leaps and bounds over the past twenty years. Moreover, he would also be the one to help this company to continue growing and developing rapidly for the next twenty years.If this group of people wanted to exclude him and remove him from his position, they would have to consider the actual development of the company over the past two decades so that they c
As Yule finished speaking in high spirits, filled with mettle, the other people were completely reassured at once. They were not only extremely relieved, but they even had a very excited smile on their faces.A few of them even clapped their hands involuntarily.Hence, everyone else was also filled with enthusiasm, and they followed suit and started applauding as well.In the final analysis, the reason why everyone else had joined the Golding Group was just to make money. They did not want to get engaged in forming any gangs or personal cliques. They simply wanted to follow the guidance of the person who would be able to lead them to continue making more money.Since a miracle had happened to Yule and his illness had already been cured, why wouldn’t they continue supporting him? Why wouldn’t they continue standing by his side so that they could continue to make more money under his leadership? Wasn’t that the best thing to do?The expression on Adrian and Rogan’s faces were extrem
When Adrian saw that his elder brother was agreeing to his proposal so readily, he could not find any more reasons to cause any trouble for him anymore. Thus, he ground his teeth and said, “Okay, then! We will wait for the results of your physical examination to come out later! If you have not fully recovered, I think it would not be suitable for you to continue assuming the role of the chairman of the board due to your physical health and condition. So, you should give up the position of chairman of the board so that a healthy person can take over the position as chairman instead!”Charlie, who had not spoken at all throughout this entire time, simply smiled and said, “If a healthy person is required to fill up the position as chairman of the board, I believe that neither you nor your brother would be able to meet this requirement either.”Adrian yelled out loud, “D*mn it! Stop talking nonsense here! I am in extremely good health!”“Is that so?” Charlie sneered as he said, “If I’ve
“Figure out your identity first?!”Although Adrian was a little cowardly because he had been afraid of Charlie’s strength, when he heard Charlie’s words, he had disdain written all over his face.He looked at Charlie before he said satirically, “I already told you that I have investigated and looked into your background. Aren’t you just a useless live-in son-in-law from the Wilson family in Aurous Hill? It is just a low-class family in a small city anyway. So, why are you showing off in front of me?”“Exactly!” Rogan also replied coldly, “You have to understand something. Even if you gathered all of the big and powerful families in Aurous Hill to face us, they would not even be able to represent half of the Golding family!”Rogan’s words were somewhat arrogant and exaggerated. However, fundamentally speaking, there were no wrongs or faults in his words at all.Aurous Hill was indeed a very small city compared to Eastcliff.Moreover, the Moore family, who was the top family in Aur
As soon as he heard his eldest brother’s last question, he subconsciously replied, “I remember him. His last name is Wade. He is the best and top figure in the Wade family…”As he spoke about this, he came to a sudden revelation. His eyes widened in shock as he stared at Charlie!At this moment, two figures which appeared to be twenty years apart suddenly overlapped in his mind.Only then did he finally realize that it turned out that this young man in front of him who was filled with vigor looked so much like the other young man who was also filled with vigor back then!When he thought about the fact that Charlie’s last name was also Wade, he was in shock. He trembled as he pointed at Charlie and asked Yule in a trembling voice, “Elder brother, he… he… is he truly the son of Curtis, who is the second son of the Wade family?!”The second son of the Wade family that he had just mentioned was none other than Charlie’s father, Curtis Wade!Curtis was the second son in the Wade famil
As soon as anyone mentioned Curtis’s great name, all the middle-aged men from wealthy and powerful families in Eastcliff could only sigh.This was because for these wealthy and powerful families, no amount of wealth was as important as a powerful and capable male offspring who would be able to bring the family to greater heights!The business industry was just like a battlefield. Sometimes, a slight deviation might easily lead to the annihilation of an entire army, and they would be facing everlasting perdition then. Hence, this was the reason why many wealthy and powerful families would face endless ups and downs in the game, and many of them even chose to retreat from the historical arena.If a family wanted to be prosperous, the amount of money or assets that they had in their hands was not important. What mattered the most was whether their descendants could continue producing talented and capable heirs.The fact that the Wade family was extremely prosperous today was inseparab
The third son, Rogan, also hurriedly admitted his mistake. “Elder Brother, I feel the same way as Second Brother does! I want to apologize to you! Do not hesitate to give me any instructions that you have for me in the future. I will surely obey your bidding without any hesitation whatsoever!”Yule had a shocked and melancholic look on his face.In truth, he had not expected that his second and third brother would give up on their resistance so quickly.He had originally thought that they would continue resisting stubbornly. Never did he expect that Charlie and his father, Curtis’s identity would frighten them completely.So, a complete victory was achieved almost immediately. Therefore, he had not thought of how he should deal with his brothers now that they were sincerely admitting their own mistakes and wrongs.At this time, Charlie said, “Since you are willing to admit your mistakes, you should at least do something to prove that you are truly repentant. Although I am just a
While Jacob was feeling delighted after pulling off his con, Raymond had posted details of the bronze sculpture online.The website he was using was the biggest platform for antique collectors and the antique trade where each user could set a favorite tag in the antique category and era. If a user who preferred canvas art pieces of the Tudor dynasty set that label as their favorite, they would immediately be notified with text or desktop notifications in regards to any item with the same label.As medieval bronze sculptures were rare in the first place, most who were interested had already set that label on their favorites and were immediately notified soon after Raymond posted pictures of the bronze sculpture online.The collectors were naturally eager to check it out as gilded sculptures of the medieval era were really rare, and most collectors would go a lifetime without picking one up for their collection.On top of that, the seller had even listed a major flaw and was only ask
"Nope," Jacob chuckled. "We were both working separately and just happened to get back in at the same time."Then, he immediately became smug and excited, "Guess what, dear? I made 200 thousand out of the deal! In net profits!""For real?!" Elaine gaped. "200 thousand in just one night?! That's amazing! How did you do that?"Claire was surprised to hear that too, and she came over to ask, "What deal was it, Dad?"Jacob grinned, "Oh, it's nothing to brag about. It's just that I managed to pick up a nice antique item thanks to my wisdom and then sold it for 200 thousand."Pausing, he then sighed in dismay, "However, the buyer wasn't too rich—I would have squeezed him for 400 thousand, but he couldn't afford more, so I had to settle for less."Elaine quickly exclaimed, "Shit, we're talking about a loss of 200 thousand! People would work a year and still never earn that much…"She trailed off for a moment before asking, "By the way, dear—are we still flying out first thing tomorrow?
Jacob laughed. "Put that issue behind us? Sure, but we're not becoming friends. Hell, I can't even hold a grudge now that you're shit out of luck."Then, his tone changed sharply and suddenly became icy, "But you see, Aurous Hill is not a place you can stay just because you want to. No… After this, you're not going to be able to make a living in the antique trade.""If I were you, I'd be running a thousand miles away, far away from Aurous Hill where no one would know my face to start over. That way, you just might be able to make a living."Raymond simply kept smiling, "You need not be concerned about how I'm going to survive here, Mr. Wilson. I'd be very grateful if you'd cease any form of harassment once you leave my premises."Jacob pursed his lips, staring at Raymond in disappointment. "I'm plenty magnanimous, so I won't stoop to such pettiness. Just do whatever you like!"Clicking his tongue, he huffed, "Tut, tut… And here I'd thought you're tough, but you're just yet another
Raymond chuckled at the title, humble as ever, "The Duke of Wastage? Now, that's quite the royal title, and I don't think I deserve such an honor…"Trailing off, he then made an especially curious look, "By the way, how'd you know they were calling me that?"Seeing that he was still so ignorant, Jacob scoffed. "You bought a Renaissance-era bronze sculpture earlier, didn't you?"Raymond nodded. "I did. But technically, it's medieval and not Renaissance, along with a Renaissance-era base."Jacob clutched his stomach as he laughed, "Oh, please! Medieval? Hahaha… You're killing me, Mr. Cole!"Raymond kept a serious look on his face. "It's really medieval. Why don't you take a look?""No way," Jacob snorted, pursing his lips. "Anyway, word has already spread that someone was selling a counterfeit bronze sculpture to defraud Antique Street for some serious dough. He went first to Vintage Deluxe, but their manager, Mr. Crane, saw through it and didn't buy it… and then he came to you, an
That was why most of the collectors only knew that such an item existed but they did not know in whose possession it was.After registering a new account and paying the ten thousand registration fee, Raymond got in.It was very safe as it was anonymous, and he posted a photo of the bronze sculpture and an announcement with an asking price of twenty million.In his opinion, it wasn't that expensive—if it was still gilded, it would be worth around a hundred million. Without it, it was plenty reasonable to cut the price down to just thirty million.And Raymond was cutting another ten million off that, so twenty million was plenty reasonable.Moreover, medieval bronze sculptures were exceedingly rare, and less than one specimen showed up annually at times. Collectors who desired it would therefore be willing to break the bank for it, and that was why Raymond was sure that someone would put in an order once he posted it.As he wrote the summary of the item, someone knocked on his door
Jacob frowned in disdain. "Why would I be worried? He's no longer the manager of Vintage Deluxe, and he just lost a shit ton of money for messing up his appraisal. I am also the vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association, so why would I be worried about some loser who will soon be kicked out of Antique Street?"Straightening his collar, he snorted coldly, "I am now going to see Raymond Cole and humiliate him face-to-face! He thinks he's impressive, doesn't he? Let's see how he will keep up that facade!"Zachary chuckled, "Yes, exactly! People like him need to be given a slap in the face! As hard as you can! Don't worry—I'll be right behind you. If he gets physical, I'll rush in to help. If he doesn't dare to start a fight, you just insult him as much as possible!""Good plan!" Jacob nodded since he was concerned that Raymond might get physical when pushed too far.And with his body, there was no way he could beat anyone…Spreading his arms, he exclaimed, "Come! I'l
Mick inspected every video to see who was getting the most views, and he then paid out of his own pocket to use paid advertising to get the video viral.It cost five thousand and it hurt, but reaching the trending page was definitely worth it.Mick was quite shrewd too, making sure that the paid advertising was focused locally. After all, he knew all too well that five thousand didn't buy many clicks, and clicks from elsewhere might be too sporadic to gain any worthwhile attention.As he worked in Antique Street, he naturally had to come up with a plan to promote himself in this place, ideally presenting himself as a master appraiser.That way, his fame would slowly extend throughout the province and perhaps Eastern Oskia, and eventually the country.As such, focusing on Aurous Hill was the best idea.Moreover, he also had another idea—if Jasmine Moore happened to see this video, she would see him in a new light.When that happened, he could look forward to getting really rich!
Soon, the video of Mick's staged act was uploaded to the online group, and everyone eagerly watched it as soon as it was done uploading.Mick certainly set a new bar with his acting as none of them could see that it was an act.Moreover, everyone could see that the bronze sculpture looked like the real deal, and they might have been swindled if it were them.As such, they couldn't help being impressed as Mick had easily seen through Billy's con, and he was the definition of a pro in that video.No matter how Billy had packaged it, there was no tricking real experts like Mick Crane. Just a quick glance and he had seen through that it was a postmodern replica, matched with a base from the Renaissance era to misdirect and beguile.With that, many fellow antique dealers changed their opinion of Mick.After all, Vintage Deluxe's business had been declining after Mick took over as manager, and people were presuming that his skills were lacking.But now, they were all shown that he had
"Amazing, Mr. Crane!""It's Mr. Crane who shines through, in the end! His eyes see through everything!""I guess Miss Moore made the right choice firing Raymond and appointing Mr. Crane! Mr. Crane is infinitely better!"Mick was immediately thrilled to see them fawning over him, and he laughed, "You flatter me—I'm merely sharing my personal perspective on this. In this trade, anyone who knows would understand how hard it is to get the good stuff in this age of technology.""There are plenty of people who hold ulterior motives and change their tactics knowing that there are always those scheming to get their hands on vintage treasures, so they just have to make it. That is how they started making counterfeits of everything, from scrolls to sculptures to statues, each of them so real just to trick those fools who think they could get rich overnight!""Exactly!" Someone promptly agreed. "There's never a lack of any such fools, and I just happened to meet one. I had this piece of jade