Lady Acker said, “Charlie is already twenty-eight this year. We might even have a grandson after finding him.”Keith was stunned, then nodded before he looked out the window blankly without saying another word. Merlin asked Lady Acker in a low voice, “Aunt Holly, did Uncle Keith’s condition get even more serious?”Lady Acker nodded and said, “His condition seems to be a little worse than it was before. I spend more than half the time when I’m awake explaining the situation to him over and over again, but he seems to forget all about it most of the time after turning around.”After saying that, Lady Acker added, “The reason why I’m in such a hurry to go to Aurous Hill is also because of this. I’m afraid that if I delay it any longer, Keith will not be able to remember him even if we meet Charlie.”Merlin sighed and thought to himself, ‘Sigh… Charlie has divine powers that can even save me, so it would definitely be easy for him to cure the old man’s Alzheimer’s disease. Even if he
“There is also the kind of person with great foresight. After his parents were killed, he knows that his situation is not safe, so he might choose to stay in this place by adhering to the logic that the most dangerous place is the safest.”Having said that, Merlin added, “Oh, by the way, there is another possibility, and that is there are other people making arrangements for him behind the scenes. Under this kind of circumstance, it’s not up to him to make any decisions, then.”Lady Acker was silent for a moment, then asked, “You must have encountered similar cases, right? In the cases you handled, if the child’s family was killed and the child’s whereabouts are unknown, where would the child most likely be, in the end?”Merlin thought for a moment and said truthfully, “Aunt Holly, to be honest, I’ve handed many such similar cases. Most of the surviving children would contact their other relatives, such as their grandparents, uncles, or aunts after hiding for a period of time. They
The private jet that was modified from a Boeing 748 took off from JFK Airport at 9:00 PM local time in New York and headed to Aurous Hill, Oskia, which was ten thousand kilometers away. After a twelve-hour flight, the Ackers’ plane landed smoothly at Aurous Airport at 9:00 PM local time. The staff who had arrived in Aurous Hill in advance arranged a convoy to pick the elderly couple, Christian, Merlin, and the others back to Willow Manor.It was already late at night when the convoy arrived at Willow Manor. Willow Manor was particularly peaceful and comfortable, and the Ackers’ butler took the four of them directly to the villa in the center. The four of them were somewhat exhausted after travelling for more than ten hours. Therefore, they went back to their rooms to rest after the rooms were assigned. The villas in Willow Manor were very large in size with three levels above ground and a basement with a usable area of at least eight to nine hundred square meters. As the area
No one could imagine that after so many years with so many people searching the ground in Aurous Hill, Charlie would still be in this city. Twenty years later, Charlie’s grandparents and uncle were here again. Charlie knew from Merlin and Quinn’s descriptions that his grandparents had never given up looking for him for so many years. Charlie wanted to be reunited with his grandparents and the Ackers as well so that the two elderly people would no longer worry and blame themselves for his unknown fate. However, he could only suppress this thought temporarily when he thought of how the Qing Eliminating Society was still refusing to let his grandparents and the Ackers off. Since his grandparents had already arrived in Aurous Hill and probably planned to live here for a long time, judging from their attitude, Charlie would have to live right under their noses for quite some time. Under such circumstances, it would not be easy to ensure that his identity was not revealed.However, he
Lady Acker had gotten accustomed to having to explain her husband’s condition to him when they woke up every morning before letting him know the current time and telling him what had happened recently or even yesterday’s events. This was mainly because Keith’s memory had deteriorated so severely that he could no longer remember what had happened over the past ten years. He would definitely forget what happened every day the very next day.However, based on their conversation just now, it seemed as if Keith could remember the tiring journey yesterday and the blurry scene he had seen under the moonlight when they came to Willow Manor by car. Lady Acker was truly amazed. Keith was a little surprised. He touched his forehead and asked her, “Is it very strange for me to remember what happened yesterday?”Lady Acker was filled with joy as she said, “It has been a long time since you remembered what happened the day before after waking up the next day.”With that said, Lady Acker asked
The maids had prepared a sumptuous breakfast in the huge dining room on the first floor. Christian and Merlin were extremely energetic as they sat at the dining table to devour this exquisite breakfast that was filled with a variety of dishes. The elderly couple was not the only ones who felt that they had a particularly good sleep last night, but Christian and Merlin also felt the same way.The two of them felt as if they had returned to their careless and energetic age when they were seventeen or eighteen years old. They could fall asleep immediately as soon as they lay on the bed after using up all their energy during the day.When they saw the elderly couple arriving, they quickly stood up and greeted them. Christian asked with concern, “Mom, Dad, did the two of you have a good sleep last night?”Lady Acker said excitedly, “We slept very soundly. I have good news for you. Your father actually remembers what happened yesterday!”“Is that so?!” Christian was so shocked that he
Merlin exclaimed in awe when he heard Lady Acker’s words, “Aunt Holly, that is a great idea!”After saying that, he immediately took out his cell phone, turned on the video recording function, and said, “We will take turns recording Uncle Keith. Christian, please arrange for someone to buy a few action cameras that can be worn on a person to record non-stop. When Uncle Keith rests in the evening, you can ask people to import all the materials into the computer so we can review the videos together in the morning tomorrow!”Christian was very excited as well and said without hesitation, “Okay! I’ll make the arrangements now!”Lady Acker added, “I think the environment here is indeed very good. Keith, let’s have some breakfast quickly, and I’ll take you out to the lake for a walk after that. Perhaps there will be better results!”When Merline heard this, he hurriedly said, “Aunt Holly, I have a different opinion on this point. I think you and Uncle Keith should stay in this villa inst
Lady Acker hurriedly said, “I planned to go to the place where Ashley used to live today. I had someone investigate before, and it seems that the old mansion has been bought by Sheldon Schulz’s ex-wife.”Christian frowned and asked, “Sheldon Schulz’s ex-wife?”“Yes.” Lady Acker nodded slightly. Christian looked surprised as he asked, “Why did Sheldon Schulz’s ex-wife buy the place where my sister and brother-in-law used to live?”Lady Acker sighed softly and said, “I asked someone to investigate, and it seems that Sheldon Schulz’s ex-wife was your brother-in-law’s suitor back then. She hasn’t forgotten your brother-in-law even after so many years. Some time ago, she infuriated the Schulzs because of the auction for the old mansion, and the Schulzs basically kicked her out. The matter caused a pretty huge sensation, and we heard about it in the United States as well.”Christian nodded and said, “Yes. I don’t know the specific details, but I only know that the scandal of Lord Schul
The other antique traders who were keeping tabs on the situation were left confused by Trippy's message.[Maybe even those out-of-towners know that Raymond is a sucker? So they traveled overnight just to see what happens?][I know Raymond is in trouble, but is it really worth traveling hundreds of miles just to watch?][Maybe they know he's a sucker, so they came to sell him more counterfeits?][Shit, that must be it! Suckers are rare these days, after all!][Damn straight! Just knowing that there's one in Aurous Hill, you'd be eager to come over.]Even Mick Crane who had just woken up and saw the message immediately sent a voice message: "Those conmen are just like flies flocking around shit as soon as they smell it.""Oh, but what they don't know is that Raymond has no more money! I heard he only had a few hundred thousand for the startup, and the bronze sculpture must have cost most of it. I'm afraid those people won't even get their gas money and toll costs back after travel
Trippy rolled his eyes as he texted back: [Hell no. I need to start my business instead of wasting my time. You morons can come get a number yourself if you like. Haha!]Still, Trippy had just sent his text when a trio arrived in a hurry outside Treasure Measure.Seeing that the doors were closed, the leader asked Trippy, "Excuse me, can I ask if this is Treasure Measure? Owned by a man named Mr. Cole?"Trippy was at once surprised. "You mean Raymond Cole?"The leader quickly said, "We don't know his first name, only that his last name is Cole, and his handle name was Treasure Measure's Mr. Cole."Trippy chuckled. "That'd be him. Has to be, since he hand wrote that shop sign."Pausing, he then asked in curiosity, "So, you've come to see him being a sucker?"The leader was naturally curious as to what Trippy was talking about. However, he was also reluctant to reveal why he had come since there was a killer bargain at stake. In fact, every other collector who was coming was k
Raymond also added that the 20 million price tag wouldn't be cut or increased. To put it simply, the bronze sculpture was right there in Aurous Hill and waiting—it was a race.Hence, many reputable collectors contacted expert appraisers throughout the night, some even booking night flights straight to Aurous Hill.The best amongst them was a fanatic collector of bronze items in Eastcliff.Following a brief exchange with Raymond online, he immediately called an expert who was also a close friend. As soon as his call was answered, he asked the other man if he had time to travel to Aurous Hill so that no one else would beat them to it—and they would drive out in the night if at all possible.After all, the earliest flight was at six in the morning, and it'd be eight by the time they made it to Aurous Hill Airport and nine by the time they got to Antique Street in a cab.Therefore, the ideal way to get there was by driving over six hundred miles at top speed, and that meant reaching 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