Jacob had a sad and worried expression as he said to Charlie, “My dear son-in-law, my current situation is indeed a little tricky. There's a lot of gossip going around in the association. Many people say I don't have any real talent and the only reason I'm the vice president is because I have Mr. Bay’s support. Mr. Bay is also in a difficult and passive position as well.”Jacob lowered his voice and continued, “Mr. Bay had dinner with me yesterday and gave me a few subtle hints. The gist is that there are too many people coming to him for advice recently, and many of them want to impeach me. If I can't come up with something soon, it'll be difficult for me to convince everyone…”Charlie nodded and said with a smile, “This matter can be dealt with easily, Dad. I happened to be taking a look at a client’s Feng Shui today, and I noticed he had quite a few paintings at home. Since your calligraphy and painting association is planning an exhibition, I asked if he could lend me a few paint
After saying that, he quickly asked Charlie, “My dear son-in-law, can I take this painting, then?”Charlie nodded and said with a smile, “Dad, if someone asks you about this painting, just say you bought it from someone but you can’t remember the person’s appearance. As for the process of buying it, you can use your imagination freely to exaggerate and brag about it as much as you want. It’s fine as long as you don’t deviate from the main idea.”Jacob asked in surprise, “My dear son-in-law, wouldn't it be better if I simply said it was a gift from a friend or that it was from my own collection?”Charlie replied earnestly, “Dad, other people might not recognize this painting, but my client would. If he finds out that you're bragging about someone else's painting, he might blame me. If you do it my way, he will know we're protecting his privacy rather than trying to brag about ourselves, and he will feel better as well.”Jacob sighed reluctantly and said, “Okay, then. I’ll do as you
As the Boeing 777 carrying the three elders was still flying over the ocean, Jacob, who was extremely excited, carried the portrait given to him by Charlie and drove the Rolls-Royce Cullinan gifted by Kathleen to the entrance of the Calligraphy and Painting Association.At this moment, Jacob’s face was filled with confidence, almost as if he had just won a crucial battle and was waiting to show off in front of the other troops.Jacob was somewhat unpopular at the Calligraphy and Painting Association. Most of the people here were literati and scholars. Although some of them lacked true talent and were merely here for the sake of elegance, at least they knew what it meant to be subservient.Since they had no professional skills, they came here to provide more space for the professionals to show off. This was called being subservient.If one had no professional skills and came here to be the second-in-command and not only pretended to be superior all the time even though one had no sk
A large group of people were incited and began mocking Jacob.Jacob said coldly, “You people really don't know what you're talking about. How could I not have any fine artwork? It's just that some of the artworks are too exquisite and it’s not convenient for me to take it out!”At this moment, Jacob had already imagined himself as the client mentioned by Charlie.When the others heard Jacob boasting, they sneered disdainfully and did not take him seriously at all. Jacob did not say much and placed the cylinder containing the painting directly on the large desk used for display and appraisal in the Calligraphy and Painting Association, and he said, “Here, I’ll let you see a piece of ancient painting that I picked up today!” “Pfft…” The disdain on the faces of everyone present was even more apparent. Calligraphy and painting were not easy to preserve, and the paper used for traditional Oskian painting, although diverse, was almost never as tough as Western canvases. It could be
After all, Madam Jenson’s ancestor lived to be a hundred and thirteen years old, which was almost unheard of among ancient people. Moreover, Madam Jenson’s ancestor himself didn't understand cultivation. Instead, he spent most of his time practicing painting. He surpassed the vast majority of painters by a long shot just in terms of his skill alone.Furthermore, for the latter half of his life, Madam Jenson’s ancestor had been waiting for Marcius to return. He painted portrait after portrait of Marcius for decades, reaching a level of mastery that no one else could match. This particular painting was his favorite. He had practiced the brushwork thousands of times without making a single mistake, achieving absolute perfection.Another person approached and carefully examined the details of the painting with a magnifying glass, before he exclaimed excitedly, “This painting… This painting is indeed an ancient silk painting! You can tell it's an old item just from its texture at first
With the approval of the well-respected man, the portrait of Marcius immediately caused quite a stir in the Calligraphy and Painting Association. Jacob finally regained some recognition and stood a little straighter. Mr. Bay hurried over when he heard the news and found that the painting was indeed extraordinary. So, he quickly instructed his secretary to shoot a video, capturing the details of the painting and posting it on the official account of the Calligraphy and Painting Association on the short video platform to increase the influence of the calligraphy and painting exhibition.Soon, Charlie saw the introduction of this painting on the official short video account of the Calligraphy and Painting Association. In the video, the cameraperson used a cell phone to capture many details of the painting, especially the lifelike portrait of Marcius and the inscription by Charlie himself.This video caused a great sensation among the circle of fans of the Calligraphy and Painting As
So, he focused on all the private jets and cargo planes flying to the northern hemisphere first, paying attention to all their routes. Once this video went viral, if a certain plane turned back over the ocean and flew back to Argentina, that plane would almost definitely be the plane that the three elders were on.Meanwhile, on the edge of Antarctica, Fleur was also closely monitoring every move in Aurous Hill.A cargo plane dispatched by the Central Military Governor Office this morning had just flown over Aurous Hill an hour ago. The plane's destination was Lisken, near Aurous Hill. Just as it passed over Aurous Hill, it lowered its altitude according to air traffic control requirements, and it happened to capture the terrain of Aurous Hill very clearly.The photos taken on the plane were quickly transmitted back to the Qing Eliminating Society’s headquarters. Fleur immediately discovered a circular blank area with a radius of hundreds of meters in a valley near Willow Manor.She
Fleur was in disbelief. After living for four hundred years, she never thought that she would see the name ‘Marcius Stark’ again! He was her master who had already passed away more than three hundred years ago!She quickly picked up her phone again and tapped on the push notification with trembling hands. The phone immediately redirected her to the short video app and started playing the video from the Calligraphy and Painting Association.In the video, Marcius was wearing a robe as he stood on the edge of a cliff with long hair and a white beard that fluttered in the wind, giving off an extraordinary aura that inspired awe.Fleur instinctively covered her mouth, and her eyes filled with fear. She was in a state of panic as she murmured to herself, “How could Master's portrait appear in Aurous Hill? But Master has been gone for more than three hundred years, so who painted this portrait of him?!”Her heart seemed to be struck by a heavy hammer, and she anxiously thought to herself,
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