Vera was a girl with a withdrawn personality and a bit of aloofness.She did not like to interact with people, and she liked to stay at home alone to read books, drink tea, write calligraphy,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
“Oh, Nanako-chan...” When Charlie heard this, he did not think much about it and replied directly, “Since she said so, it’s up to you to decide whether you’d like to invite her or not.”Rosalie nodded lightly and spoke up, “I’ll give her a call later, then.”Although Rosalie knew that the reason why Nanako wanted to come to her parents’ wedding was most likely because she wanted to take this opportunity to meet Charlie, she also knew very well that Charlie’s affection for Nanako was far more than his affection for her. She could not and should not deliberately avoid this matter just because the two would meet. Since Charlie had no opinion about this matter, she would invite Nanako and her father, Yahiko, to come to Aurous Hill to attend her parents’ wedding. ***At this moment, in Kyoto, Japan. When Yahiko returned from the United States, he did not choose to go to Tokyo but went directly to the Ito family’s mansion in Kyoto. This house had a very special significance to h
After hearing Nanako’s words, Yahiko stopped what he was doing and leaned on his sword as he panted and asked, “Nanako, what did you say? We may have to go to Oskia?”“Yes!” Nanako smiled and said, “Wait a moment, I’ll answer a call first.”Yahiko was even more surprised. He thought Nanako had received a call from someone, which was why she had said that they might have to go to Oskia, but he did not expect that she had not even answered the call yet.Nanako answered the call, and Rosalie, who was on the other end of the line, asked, “Miss Ito, am I bothering you by calling so suddenly?”“No.” Nanako said with a smile, “I’m not doing anything much, just playing around with some flower arrangements. Miss Rosalie, why are you calling me?” Rosalie got straight to the point and said, “It’s about my parents’ wedding.”Nanako asked in surprise, “Are your parents finally getting married?”“Yes.” Rosalie said truthfully, “Mr. Wade just came, and my parents’ wedding date has been set fo
Nanako said happily, “It’s a deal, then!”Yahiko asked, “Since we will be staying longer, should we buy a mansion in Aurous Hill? I’m afraid it will be too boring if we stay in the hotel for a long time.”Nanako asked him with wide-opened eyes, “Is that possible, Otou-san? Can we buy a mansion in Aurous Hill?”Yahiko shook his head helplessly and said, “You’re the head of the Ito family, so you have the final say on how money is spent, right?”“That’s great!” Nanako said to Hiroshi, “Tanaka-san, if you’re free tomorrow, why don’t you leave for Aurous Hill early in the morning to find a suitable mansion first, then?!”Hiroshi said without hesitation, “No problem, Miss. I will leave early in the morning tomorrow.”Having said that, he asked again, “By the way, Miss, do you have any requirements for the mansion?”Nanako thought for a while and said, “Bigger, quieter, and it doesn’t matter if it’s remote. It will certainly be impossible to find a Japanese-style mansion in Aurous Hil
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
With the last stroke, Raymond got on a ladder to reach the old signboard, pasting the banner over the old shop sign.Then, he added a notice by the entrance: We buy all antiques and measure all treasures.As soon as the makeshift sign and notice were up, Mick was the first to arrive with a fruit basket to celebrate the occasion.The instant they met, he greeted Raymond warmly, "Ah, Mr. Cole! You sure are efficient—you just came back yesterday evening, and you're already setting up shop today at noon!"Raymond smiled, "Doing a small business by myself is naturally much quicker."Mick shook his head disapprovingly as he put the fruit basket by the door, "Now, now. Don't be a stranger, Mr. Cole—almost everyone in Antique Street is a friend, but you didn't tell the gang when you opened the shop! It'd hype things up when everyone comes bringing you gifts!"Raymond quickly shook his head. "Thanks for the suggestion, but I don't know if this humble trade will last. It's better to keep m
To not lose three months' worth of rent on top of that, Donald called over the owner at top speed while getting some of the friends in the antique trade to appraise what merchandise he had left.Taking losses had always been the hardest pill to swallow, but once the decision was made, there really was nothing that couldn't be given up.The owner was plenty pleased as well since that meant someone was picking up on his rental. He promptly had Donald sign the agreement transferring the last three months for the rental to Raymond while signing a new rental contract with Raymond.Raymond didn't have to pay up immediately either—he just had to start paying rent to the owner once Donald's three-month rent was up.Once the agreement was signed, every stall owner as well as owners of businesses resembling the Pearl House swarmed the premises.After all, they loved to take stock from people in the same line of business. Once a business owner decided to close shop, they wouldn't be bothered