“Present a bold front to conceal your weakness?” Both Vera and Ruby looked confused after hearing Charlie’s words. They naturally knew the meaning behind Charlie’s words, but they could not figure out how Charlie was going to present a bold front to Fleur in order to conceal his weakness. Ruby was the first to persuade him as she said, “Mr. Wade, the strategy will only work if you can scare Fleur and make her afraid. However, to be honest with you, if you reveal your identity, even if Aurous Hill is full of traps, Fleur will definitely send those three elders to test your identity and background at all costs. She will only be wary of you if you’re hidden. I’m afraid that you will only be forced to fight her to death if your identity is revealed.”Vera could not help but persuade as well, “That’s right, Young Master. I feel that Miss Dijo’s words make perfect sense as well. The possibility of you being able to scare Fleur away at this time is close to zero, so I’d advise you not to
Ruby smiled and said in agreement, “Miss Lavor, you’re right. Over the past couple of years, Fleur has been noticeably more anxious than she had been before. For decades, Fleur had never worried about aging, as her appearance remained unchanged for hundreds of years. However, over the past two years, she has even started paying attention to skincare. Sometimes when walking past her, you can even distinctly smell the scent of skincare products. It seems she's afraid of aging.”Vera chuckled, “What's to come will definitely come. What's the use of being afraid?”With that said, she brought her thoughts back to the painting in front of her and suddenly seemed to understand Charlie’s plan.So, she widened her eyes instantly and was filled with joy as she asked Charlie eagerly, “Young Master, could it be… could it be that you want to use Master Marcius to present a bold front and conceal your weakness?”Ruby, who was aside, listened in surprise as she could not yet grasp the key points.
“Fleur has been monitoring Aurous Hill closely, right? Once this painting appears, she will definitely pay attention to it. At that time, she will surely have many questions in her mind!”“She must want to know who brought out the portrait of her master, and she must be even more curious about the relationship between the person who brought out the painting and her master. Could it be someone her master accepted as a disciple before her? If so, that person might be over five hundred years old by now and may have obtained extraordinary strength from countless cultivations!”“She must also want to know why her master's portrait appeared out of nowhere in Aurous Hill the next day after two great earls under her command died and went missing. She would definitely want to know if the person who brought out this painting and the person who forced Mr. Chardon to blow himself up are the same person. If so, why didn't that person die from Mr. Chardon’s explosion? She must also want to underst
At this moment, on a remote uninhabited island covered in ice and snow in South America, Fleur was leading Tarlon through the vast underground structures of the island. The two of them made their way to the deepest part of the underground building where there was a space completely sealed within the rocks with only one ventilation shaft connecting it to the outside world.The three elders of the Qing Eliminating Society were currently cultivating in seclusion here. Interestingly, during the hundred years of their cultivation in seclusion, they had unknowingly traversed more than half the globe with the Qing Eliminating Society, from Oskia, through Oceania, and finally to South America. These three individuals had completely cut off all contact with the outside world and had tightly wrapped their bodies with Reiki, almost halting the metabolism of their bodies. They had no idea how much time had passed in the outside world and only instinctively circulated Reiki continuously, makin
Fleur was very pleased with the performance of the three at this moment. What she wanted was their unquestionable obedience. Otherwise, she wouldn't have taught them the technique to activate their pineal glands in the first place.Furthermore, the technique Fleur taught them was somewhat incomplete. Although they had been cultivating in seclusion for a hundred years, without Fleur’s external assistance over the last few years, the three of them would never have been able to activate their pineal glands no matter what it was. Even if their pineal glands were right in front of them and there was only the last layer of paper window separating them from activating it, without Fleur, they couldn't break through this final barrier. However, at this moment, the three of them had no way of knowing this.Therefore, in Fleur’s opinion, if the three of them valued their cultivation more than her commands now, she would have to restrict their final breakthrough to prevent them from becoming e
Meanwhile, Charlie was still in Champs Elys hot spring villa, having a long conversation with Vera and Ruby.Although he had decided to present a bold front and conceal his weakness in front of Fleur, there were still many details that needed to be clarified step by step.Vera said to Charlie, “Young Master, your idea to present a bold front and conceal your weakness is simply brilliant, but the only risk is how we should deal with the situation if the three elders come to Aurous Hill and Fleur hasn't paid attention to the painting of Master Marcius Stark? How should we deal with it?"Charlie laughed and said, “Don't worry. The most popular short video platform right now is owned by the Wades. I found a way to send this painting to the Calligraphy and Painting Association this morning. Within a few hours, we can naturally arrange for this painting to be on the trending topic. As long as Fleur is still paying attention to Aurous Hill, she will definitely see it.”Charlie then added,
Ruby nodded and said, “That's right.”Charlie asked again, “Have you ever used Reiki to explore its mysteries?”Ruby replied, “We tried, but the pineal gland is usually closed, and our Reiki can't enter it at all.”Charlie nodded, then sighed and said, “It seems that Fleur truly has formidable strength. I haven't even activated my own pineal gland. If I can't even activate my own, I don’t think I can activate other people’s pineal glands. Therefore, the self-destructive formation inside you probably can't be removed in the short term.”Ruby sighed lightly and said, “I never thought about removing the formation. I just hope it won't harm other innocent people. Besides, I don't have much time left to live. I will only be able to live for a little more than two years.” Charlie asked curiously, “Miss Chain, why do you say that?”Ruby explained, “I have a strange poison left by Fleur in my body. I have to take an antidote once every three years, or my meridians will be cut off, and m
Charlie had no immediate solution to Ruby's poison and the formation inside her pineal gland. This made him realize the significant gap between himself and Fleur.Although he had narrowly escaped the explosion thanks to the ring that Vera had given him, if Fleur sent three experts who were about to activate their pineal glands to Aurous Hill, Charlie probably wouldn't have any chance to survive. Even with Vera’s ring, he would only end up endangering her when the time comes. As for Fleur, she had activated her pineal gland over a hundred years ago, and her current cultivation must be unfathomable. She was ahead of Charlie by at least a hundred or even two to three hundred years. So, if Fleur was to come personally, Charlie probably had even less chance of survival.As Charlie thought of this, he couldn't help but feel grateful. If he hadn't saved the distressed Madam Jenson and her son in Mexico by chance, how would he have had the opportunity to obtain Master Marcius Stark’s paint
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