William immediately replied in the group, “Oh, my wife passed away a long time ago, I guess Matilda and I share the same fate…”One of the nosy friends said, “Hey, you and Matilda are a match made in heaven as always!”Some of the people who accepted William’s gift of money joined in the bandwagon. Someone even said, “Hey, William, now that you and Matilda are widowed, you guys should be together! I remember how you fell head over heels in love with her. Come on, go for it! We send you our sincere blessings!”William laughed out loud and said, “Then I would like to express my gratitude to your support and blessings, but it’s all up to Matilda, I can’t force her.”Then, he continued, “Besides, I’ve decided to return to Aurous Hill and start my business venture here regardless.”“What? Why?” Someone in the group exclaimed, “William, haven’t your family settled down in Hong Kong for many years already? Why have you suddenly decided to return to Aurous Hill?”“Look at Matilda, she ha
Jacob’s eyes widened in shock when he read William’s message.William was right. Jacob was indeed afraid that William would become his rival in love, but of course, he couldn’t say such things in public. He was still a married man, after all.Hence, he said against his real intention, “No, I’m just worried that you find it hard to blend in here after spending years in Hong Kong. We aren’t getting any younger and our bodies are aging too, it will take a toll on your health if we rashly shift to an unfamiliar place that your body hasn’t gotten used to.”William giggled in amusement and said, “Oh, I’m perfectly healthy, don’t you worry about me!”Jacob couldn’t be bothered with the teasing anymore. He put his phone in his pocket and said, “Matilda, let’s go inside and take a walk around.”Matilda nodded and strolled around the campus with him.At 10 am, Matilda checked her watch and said, “Hey, the reunion is at 11, I think we’d better get going now.”Jacob nodded and smiled. “Al
William had been waiting for Matilda since he arrived at the club. His eyes were glued on her now that she was here.He was shocked to see that Matilda was still as beautiful, flawless, and charming at the age of 50! He was even more certain that he would put all effort into pursuing her!However, never did he expect that the beautiful Matilda, who he had been missing for the past two decades, would walk in with Jacob, the scumbag who broke her heart.He was agitated by their appearance together and stood up angrily. “Jacob Wilson! How dare you come here with Matilda?! You may not remember what you did to Matilda, but we all do! If not for you, scumbag, she wouldn’t have flown to the US and lived there for so many years! You should be ashamed of yourself! If I were you, I wouldn’t have the courage to come at all!”Jacob was infuriated by his insult that he growled, “Hey, William Pearson, watch your tongue! People with common sense would know what happened back then, I’m innocent!”
Sensing that his mother didn’t want others to know his middle name, Paul smiled politely and said, “Everyone, please enjoy your gathering. Excuse me.”Jacob hurriedly said, “Hey, Paul, what’s the hurry? How about joining us for lunch?”He intentionally talked to Paul as a hint for the rest to realize that he and Paul knew each other so they could assume that he had already met Matilda before the reunion.It was also to suggest to them that both of them shared an extraordinary connection and to chase away Matilda’s suitors.Indeed, when the others heard their conversation, they found it rather odd and peculiar. They wondered how and when Jacob and Paul had become so close.Paul smiled and said, “Thanks, but no thanks, I have a meeting in the afternoon.”Then, he said to Jacob in a moderate voice, “I have an appointment with Charlie. He’s coming to my new office to check out the Feng Shui there, so I have to be there to entertain him.”Jacob nodded with a smile. “My son-in-law has
William sneered contemptuously. “Hey, think about it. You’re a married man, so I’d advise you not to mess around and not to nurse any illicit passion for other women! If that shrew wife of yours knows about it, she will not spare you!”Jacob was incensed by his ridicule that he blurted, “Hey, William Pearson, what the heck are you talking about?! I don’t mess around, and I definitely don’t nurse any illicit passion for anyone! Don’t you dare make oblique accusations just because you have some dirty money in your pockets! Don’t come the old soldier with me, I’m not buying it!”Matilda felt extremely awkward with the ridiculous exchanges and she started to growl, “Could you guys shut up, please? What did I just say earlier? We’re here today for the reunion, not to watch you fight like rabid dogs! If you guys still behave like this, I’ll leave then!”Jacob whined innocently, “Matilda, you heard him, it’s this old fart who’s fanning the flames!”William was a renowned businessman in Ho
William immediately wiped that arrogant expression off his face when he heard that the man was Uncle Oscar.Back when he was still studying in Aurous Hill, he had learned about the powerful Moore family and their top position in the social pyramid in the city.Although he was a renowned businessman in Hong Kong with a net worth of hundreds of millions, he was incomparable to the Moore family. Their fortune was worth at least hundreds of billions of dollars, a hundred times higher than his, so even the status of their butler was higher and more powerful than his.Paul was a little flattered and taken aback by Uncle Oscar’s appearance in the suite.Oscar smiled and said, “Mr. Paul, the Moore family and you go way back. When the family first operated their export business in the US, I accompanied Lord Moore to look over the operations and whenever we encountered any legal problems, it was your father who solved it all for us. Frankly, our Lord Moore and your father shared a personal f
Paul turned to the table and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy your reunion. I’ll see myself out, please excuse me.”Then, he intentionally turned to Jacob and said, “Goodbye, Uncle Wilson.”Jacob glanced at Paul like he was looking at his own son and said in a kind and fatherly manner, “Okay, go right on with your business!”Oscar was rather astonished to see Jacob. “Oh, you are Mr. Wilson, Master Wade’s father-in-law, aren’t you?”Jacob was surprised that the well-known Oscar, the butler of the Moore family, would know him personally, so he asked with a shocked expression, “How…how do you know me?”“With all due respect, Mr. Wilson, Master Wade is the life savior of the Moore family and everyone in the family is very grateful to his help! You are his father-in-law, how can I not know you?”Jacob gaped in realization!So Oscar knew him purely because of Charlie, his son-in-law…He realized that Charlie was getting more and more ambitious in his scam. He had thought tha
William, who was disdainful of Jacob, suddenly became a little dreaded.Oscar was so respectful and reverent to his son-in-law, which proved that Jacob was a more important figure than him in Oscar’s opinion.He asked his friends about Jacob’s son-in-law’s information, who happened to have attended the last reunion. He said with a smile, “Oh, him. I think he’s an unemployed househusband, but we’re not quite sure exactly what he does for a living.”William was a businessman, after all. He had seen much of life to know the differences.Oscar’s attitude alone was enough to indicate that Jacob’s son-in-law was not someone he could underestimate. He must be a somebody who did great things to earn such honorable recognition from Oscar.This also made him feel worried and fearful of the consequences after ridiculing Jacob earlier. He could tell that, based on Oscar’s gracious manner towards Jacob, it would not end well for him if he went up against Jacob for real.He glanced at Jacob, h
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
Mick inspected every video to see who was getting the most views, and he then paid out of his own pocket to use paid advertising to get the video viral.It cost five thousand and it hurt, but reaching the trending page was definitely worth it.Mick was quite shrewd too, making sure that the paid advertising was focused locally. After all, he knew all too well that five thousand didn't buy many clicks, and clicks from elsewhere might be too sporadic to gain any worthwhile attention.As he worked in Antique Street, he naturally had to come up with a plan to promote himself in this place, ideally presenting himself as a master appraiser.That way, his fame would slowly extend throughout the province and perhaps Eastern Oskia, and eventually the country.As such, focusing on Aurous Hill was the best idea.Moreover, he also had another idea—if Jasmine Moore happened to see this video, she would see him in a new light.When that happened, he could look forward to getting really rich!