Vera said, “Okay, tell Logan before you take off so that he can send someone to pick you up at the airport.”“Okay.” Emmett said, “I’ve sorted out some local connections in Aurous Hill, and although some of them are retired, their words have always carried enormous weight in Aurous Hill. I’ll get them to help you investigate the Charlie that you’re looking for, then!”Vera smiled and said, “No need. I’ve already found him.”“What?!” Emmett asked in shock, “You’ve found him?! So quickly?!” “That’s right.” Vera said seriously, “Life is like this. As long as you make a few right choices, you can achieve success even without doing anything. It’s the same when it comes to finding someone.” With that said, Vera said again, “Today’s experience was even more interesting. I’ll tell you about it when you arrive.”“Okay!” Emmett said quickly, “I’ll get ready to leave, then!” After that, Vera did not get out of the car again. Logan and his wife did not delay for too long either. After
After sighing emotionally, Vera was accompanied by Madam Marilyn as she climbed up to the highest courtyard.When she stepped into this courtyard, she realized that it was even more pleasing to her than she had just imagined. Every brick, tile, plant, and tree here was actually very elegant and elaborate, and there were even patches of moss growing on the bluestone on the ground of the courtyard. There was also a beautifully designed open-air hot spring pool in the corner of the courtyard. The rockery next to the pool was lifelike, and many bonsai plants were planted there, which made it appear as a miniature of the real mountain. Madam Marilyn followed her and introduced to her, “Miss Lavor, this hot spring pool is connected with the natural hot spring water of Mount Xvilou in Aurous Hill. The hot spring water is transported up the mountain from the underground pipeline. The water temperature can be used directly in the summer, and the water temperature will get cooler after tr
Moreover, she knew most clearly how much importance Logan attached to this highest courtyard. Why did she have to be here whenever anyone came here? It was because Logan did not want any of the servants to damage the furnishings and arrangements here. But he was now generously giving this place to Vera to live in. It could clearly be seen that Vera held a very important position to him!At this time, Vera asked Madam Marilyn, “By the way, how many people are working here?”Madam Marilyn replied, “There are sixteen maids, four bodyguards, and two drivers who make up a total of twenty-two people, so there are a total of twenty-three people including me.”Vera asked in surprise, “There are so many maids here?”“Yes.” Madam Marilyn replied, “There are four maids responsible for washing and cooking, eight maids responsible for sanitation and maintenance, and four maids who are responsible for gardening. However, some of them are more flexible and can be temporarily deployed if there i
Vera was a girl with a withdrawn personality and a bit of aloofness.She did not like to interact with people, and she liked to stay at home alone to read books, drink tea, write calligraphy, paint, and burn incense to tell fortunes. Logan’s manor really surprised her. She thought of how she had been running around for days and simply wanted to have a good rest here for a while and slowly regain her slow and leisurely pace of life.Moreover, she had already decided not to contact Charlie before school started, so it was the best plan for her to practice self-cultivation here and occasionally visit some famous places here in Aurous Hill.So, she came up with a list and asked Madam Marilyn to help her purchase the items on the list. There were a hundred ancient books, seal incense made out of ten different materials, tea leaves from five different origins, and various pens, inks, paper, and inkstones. When Madam Marilyn got the list, she asked Vera with some doubts, “Miss Lavor, I
“I don’t have one.” Vera shook her head and then said immediately, “But there is one person who does.”After saying that, Vera did not beat around the bush and told Logan and his wife, “I came to Aurous Hill this time to find a man named Charlie Wade. He saved my life in Northern Europe.”To Vera, Logan and his wife were absolutely credible, just like Emmett. She could not have come to Aurous Hill this time without their help, so she did not hide anything from them.After saying that, Logan and his wife were naturally shocked and speechless. When Vera spoke about how she had found out Charlie’s identity step by step, Logan exclaimed, “Miss, your benefactor is Keith’s grandson?!”Vera nodded and then asked him curiously, “Do you know Keith Acker?”“Yes, I do.” Logan nodded and said, “The Acker family was in the rubber business in the early years in the United States. We had a collaboration, and almost all the rubber that I had on hand was sold to him, so we could be considered to
Meanwhile, Charlie brought Claudia back to Mrs. Lewis’s new home from the shopping mall. Both Charlie and Stephanie gave Mrs. Lewis a helping hand in the kitchen like they did back in the orphanage to help her to cook a table full of good dishes. Mrs. Lewis and Stephanie were very happy to learn that Claudia’s schooling matters had been taken care of. They both expressed their full support for Claudia’s decision to pursue an archaeology major. After the four of them had lunch happily, Stephanie suggested, “Charlie, do you have anything to do in the afternoon today? If you don’t have any plans, let’s take Claudia out to visit all the famous scenic spots in Aurous Hill together today!”Charlie said apologetically, “It might not be convenient for me this afternoon. I just came back, so there are still some things that I have to attend to urgently.”Charlie had already asked Isaac to go to Porter to ask him for the current address of the old lady who had given him the Phoenixica. A
When Rosalie heard that Charlie was coming, she told her parents as well as her grandfather, Holden, about this matter immediately. They were all so excited that they hurriedly gathered all the Harker family members and waited in the courtyard to welcome Charlie. When Charlie arrived at the Harker family villa, the Harker family was already lined up on both sides to wait for him. Sheldon, who had a completely new look, was also among them. As soon as Charlie got out of the car, Holden led the Harker family to kneel on the ground in unison and said respectfully, “Hello, Mr. Wade!” Even Sheldon knelt beside Yashita and Rosalie without hesitation after seeing all the Harker family members kneeling. Charlie was a little surprised and hurriedly said, “Please get up quickly. It’s not the first day you know me, so why are you still giving me such a grand welcome?” Holden, who was kneeling at the front, said respectfully, “Mr. Wade, you have shown great kindness to the Harker famil
There were almost no resources that Charlie could not regulate in Aurous Hill.The hotel, wedding dress, and convoy were the three most important elements of a wedding, and Charlie could provide Sheldon and Yashita with the best in Aurous Hill.It was also with Charlie’s support that Sheldon and Yashita could feel at ease to set their wedding date on August 8th. Sheldon knelt on the ground to express his gratitude, but Charlie stopped him and said, “You can start drawing up the guest list for the wedding now. Theoretically speaking, I won’t interfere with anyone you want to invite, but the premise is that the people you invite must basically be controllable.”With that said, Charlie looked at Yashita and said frankly, “After all, Madam Yashita’s severed limb has been regenerated. Once this kind of thing is exposed to the public, I’m afraid that will set off a shocking wave in the medical world. The inexplicable self-healing of advanced cancer is rare in the history of medicine, bu
Jacob asked, "Then, what would this sculpture be worth if it was genuine?"Mr. Cardensky thought about it. "Well, there are standards when it comes to Renaissance relics, but with something this exquisite, it'd definitely be auctionable for one or two million—and that's the conservative estimate.""How much would you sell it to me for?" Jacob then asked."Thirty percent of the market price," Mr. Cardensky quickly replied. "As I've said, the conservative estimate for this one is around one to two million, so we will set the price with the median estimate value at 1.5 million. And thirty percent means 450 grand."Jacob shook his head right away. "No, no, no… that's too expensive. What if I end up unable to sell it, on top of that?"In his mind, while he could barely accept that pricing, he still needed Raymond to be able to afford it if he wanted to swindle Raymond for twice the money.Mr. Cardensky quickly chuckled, "Oh, Mr. Montague—now you're being too serious. In this business,
"Okay!"Mr. Cardensky smiled and pointed at a nearby farmyard. "There's our workshop—the good stuff is all in there. Allow me to take you there!"The farmyard seemed uninteresting at first glance, but Mr. Cardensky soon led them to the stables and brushed off the straws covering the floor, revealing a plank laid flat on the ground.Mr. Cardensky then lifted it, revealing a passage below—they had dug a cellar into the ground beneath, with the stables as an entry point.As Jacob followed Mr. Cardensky down the cellar, he exclaimed in awe, "Your operation is definitely big, digging such a huge cellar!"Mr. Cardensky smiled humbly. "Anyone working in the business would have sustained their losses before. In the end, we're all folk of humble origins, starting out with raiding tombs or excavating artifacts. Just digging a cellar is really nothing."As they conversed, they cleared the stairs and arrived at the main hall.It was certainly a hall as it was around a hundred square meters,
Zachary nodded repeatedly. "Mr. Montague? Very well!""Yes!" Jacob grinned smugly. "Longer last names are simply better—it just sounds so authoritative."With that agreed upon, both men alighted, where the master was waiting nearby.Seeing them get off, he hurried over to them, smiling, "Please, follow me."Zachary looked around and huffed, "Honestly, Mr. Cardensky, isn't this way too far from the highway? The road is narrow and terrible, and I have to park my car all the way out here. Just coming here is taxing."Mr. Cardensky smiled in turn. "My friend, that's exactly why we picked this place. Do you remember seeing a couple of cars parked by the road, occupying half of it?""We arranged for them to be there. Anyone coming by car would have to slow down that way, buying time for us to see who they truly are. If it's cops, our watchers would quietly text us while we clean the house and bail."Zachary exclaimed in realization, "You boys really run a tight ship!""For sure," Mr.
After working in Antique Street for years, Zachary's connections and influence were naturally special. And yet, though he was acquainted with some of the more impressive individuals, he was not that close with them either.For example, the forgery masters who worked specifically to deceive experts only accepted jobs from major clients, usually antique traders high in social status and wealth.In contrast, they wouldn't ever be interested in frivolous people like Zachary. Even if he could reach them, they might not look at him twice.If one would describe them as the cartel boss, then Zachary would be a low-level enforcer, managing night joints or goofing off.But now, Zachary had turned over a new leaf—he worked under Don Albert, so one of those masters was pleasantly surprised when he called one of them, inviting him to his own workshop for a visit and further discussion.As such, Zachary picked up Jacob and went over to the master's hideout where the latter worked on his count
Zachary was naturally shrewd enough to read Jacob's intention.In reality, he wasn't offering to pay just because he wanted the profit. He merely wanted to get in Jacob's good graces. After all, wouldn't Jacob be even more grateful that he wasn't just helping his revenge but also helping him make money?As such, he didn't hesitate to tell Jacob, "Well, chief—since you'll be paying, I will make sure that you will get every cent of profit that you deserve."Jacob was grinning ear-to-ear, but he said, "Oh, you don't have to! If we really are making a profit, there's no way I would let your good work go unrewarded!"Spreading his arms, he continued generously, "How about this? I will pay the full cost while you get twenty percent of the net profit!"Zachary laughed. "Now, that can wait, chief. We need to pay as soon as we decide on the item we want, and there's no time for buyer's regret. But if Raymond doesn't take the bait, all that money will go down the drain, and whether we can s
Zachary chuckled and continued, "Well, I went to Antique Street and asked around. Turns out our mutual friend only brought a few hundred thousand grand with him. If he messes up and loses all his money, won't it be over for him?""He won't just be broke either—he'd be humiliated and forced to fuck off from Antique Street. You'd get even then!"Jacob was at once excited.Just yesterday, Claire and Charlie were warning him that assault meant doing time.As the vice president of the Calligraphy and Painting Association and the next presidential-hopeful, he would lose his place if he was charged with assault or being an accessory to a case.However, Zachary's plan was much better. Jacob wouldn't have to take responsibility, and the damage on Raymond would be even worse!In comparison, slapping Raymond meant nothing. Watching him go broke and get humiliated would really ease his heart!With that in mind, he promptly pressed Zachary, "Are you sure that prick will mess up?""I can't a
Jacob Wilson was in his office at the Calligraphy and Painting Association, planning his itinerary in Dubai.Still, he was immediately thrilled when Zachary told him that there was progress, and he quickly said, "Come see me at the Calligraphy and Painting Association. We'll talk in my office!""Alright!" Zachary agreed to it happily. "Just wait, Mr. Wilson. I'll be right there!"Jacob then quickly told him, "By the way, remember to address me as the vice president when you're here. Got it?"Zachary was naturally sharp enough to understand why, especially around other members of the Calligraphy and Painting Association.Smiling, he said, "Don't worry, chief. You can always be at ease when I'm on the job!"Once he hung up, he drove to the Calligraphy and Painting Association at top speed.There were just a dozen people around the dozens of work cubicles although Zachary was curious about the personal effects or office tools in the cubicles.After asking around, a staff member le
Then, Mick continued, "I won't lie—Moore Group's bean counters have been eager to get rid of Vintage Deluxe for a while now. It's only Miss Moore's insistence that keeps them at bay, even occasionally coming to check on how business is going. That means she holds sentiment for this place, but if she knows that Raymond is back and doing well, she might hire him again!"Zachary could laugh right then. After all, Mick was terrible at gathering information—he could worry about anyone taking his palace, but not Raymond. The man was fired because he had insulted Master Wade's father in-law, and Miss Moore was endlessly respectful—even obedient to Master Wade. There was no chance that she would hire Raymond back after what he had done, and Mick was just being paranoid.However, Zachary did not tell Mick that.As Mick was begging him to intervene and thus owing him big time, he would also be helping Jacob Wilson get even.Two birds with one stone, so why not?With that in mind, Zachar
Zachary then said, "By the way, I have some friends who have a lot of stock. How much capital do you have, Mr. Cole? I'll check if they have stuff that suits you, and you can partner with them."When Zachary asked how much capital, he was basically asking Raymond how much he would invest in his own business and how much he could spend on taking new stock as he was buying.As such, Raymond replied modestly, "I've been chasing my tail for a while, so I didn't earn more than a few hundred thousand. I definitely would have no issue taking items with rebates, but I'm afraid I can't afford premiums.""Alright!" Zachary nodded, having discerned the scale of Zachary's capital."I'll check on what's available and see if we can get a few personal deals."Raymond nodded. "Thank you, Zachary!"Zachary smiled, shaking his head. "Mr. Crane, please buy another fruit basket for Mr. Cole—I'll pay you later."Mick quickly said, "Oh, you don't have to, Mr. Evans! It's my pleasure, no worries!"Zach