Charlie was now furious. “Do you think you can get out of this by not talking, fatso? I’ll have you know, this is Aurous! Don’t you know that the people in this room are all just as powerful within this area? They can have you die in a ditch as long as they say so! I’d advise you to tell us the truth this instant, otherwise, you won’t even be able to save yourself!”Jasmine knew that Charlie was trying to manipulate him, hence, she put on a stern expression and played along. “The Moore family is fairly powerful. If anyone intends to scam any of us, we will surely teach him a good lesson. After all, if we were to spare them, our reputation in the public’s eyes would certainly be damaged!”The fat man was shocked to his core. He knew that the Moore’s indeed held extreme power in this area. If he were to piss Jasmine Moore off, he would surely die in Aurous!Panicking, he turned to Quilt in desperation. “Quilt, help me out! This isn’t what we agreed on!”Quilt’s facial expression chan
Jasmine had a very indifferent expression on her face as they sat in the car. For her, the fact that there was such a useless scumbag in her family was extremely frustrating. Moreover, what was even more vexing was the fact that Uncle Quilt had tried to set her up in front of so many outsiders.If he had fooled her into giving him the money today, Uncle Quilt would have escaped with all that money. Jasmine would have been really embarrassed if she had discovered the fact that she had been cheated only after losing a vast fortune that belonged to the Moore family!Fortunately, Charlie was present at that time and had saved her, helping her avoid losing her family fortune.Jasmine took out a bank card from the glove box in her car before she handed it over to Charlie. “Mr. Wade, there is about one million dollars in this card. The passcode is six ‘eights’. Please accept this as a form of my gratitude.”Jasmine could not help but sigh as she spoke. Why had Charlie chosen to join suc
Charlie felt completely helpless at this time. Jacob had just broken the Yuhuchun vase in the morning, and yet, as soon as he had stepped out of the house, the old man had actually taken advantage of his absence to sneak out and explore Antique Street again.That was just so typical of him. He would never learn from his mistakes.Jacob laughed as he asked them in a mysterious manner, “I meant that these celadon cups are worth more than half a million dollars! Why don’t you guess how much I bought them for?”Claire hesitated for a moment before replying, “Three hundred thousand dollars?”“No! Guess again!” Jacob replied as he waved his hand.“Two hundred thousand dollars?”“That’s not right either!”Charlie glanced at the pair of celadon cups in his father-in-law’s hand and he instantly knew that the cups were fake and only worth a few hundred dollars.Just then, Jacob smiled as he exclaimed excitedly, “Haha! I bought it for only three hundred dollars! Isn’t that amazing?”Clai
The next day was already the weekend.Jacob dragged Charlie out of the house and they drove to Antique Street early in the morning.The old man looked very refreshed and energetic, and upon stepping out of the car, Jacob waved his hand at Charlie as he said, “Come! Let me show you how you can pick up a good product!”After that, both of them started walking down Antique Street.Charlie had to walk quickly to keep up with Jacob. Regardless, he continued to look around him as he walked along the street.Since it was the weekend, there were a lot more people on Antique Street as compared to usual.Antique Street was very dense on both sides of the street as there were many vendors who came out to set up their stalls during the weekend, and so, the whole street was very packed.Many vendors simply placed a plastic sheet on the ground as they welcomed guests and customers to check out all the various kinds of antiques and jades placed on the ground.Charlie looked around casually an
“Boss, I think I must have brought the wrong wine bottle out since I rushed out of the house in a hurry today.”“So, you brought the wrong bottle out today?” Charlie smiled as he picked up another wine bottle that was covered in mud. He wiped the mud off with his hand before looking at it under the sun. After inspecting it, Charlie said, “What about this bottle, then? It seems as though this wine bottle was made in Suzhou.”Sure enough, there was a row of small characters written below the bottle.“Made by Suzhou Craft Factory.”“I don’t know what is written on it since I am illiterate,” The owner of the stall smirked as he replied. After that, he rubbed the sole of his feet against the oil paper, making it seem as though he was not interested in doing business with them at all.Jacob became angry and annoyed when he saw that he had been fooled.Grabbing hold of the owner of the stall, he shouted angrily at him.“You liar! Give me back my money!”“What money are you talking abo
As soon as he heard the voice, Charlie turned around to look for its source.He saw a young man wearing a white linen suit and a pair of black cloth shoes walking toward the stall. There were all sorts of bracelets on his hand, and as it was broad daylight and sunny, he was wearing an antique pair of gold-rimmed glasses with two round black lenses. The young man’s glasses looked like the type of glasses young children would wear during the Qing Dynasty in China.About four to five bodyguards were walking behind the young man, and compared to the young master, the bodyguards looked more fierce and evil, driving everyone around to move away quickly in order to avoid causing any trouble at the scene.“Oh, it’s Mr. Quinton!”The owner of the stall widened his eyes and started smiling as soon as he saw the young man. After that, flattering words came out of his mouth as though he was a tap with running water flowing from it. “Mr. Quinton, why didn’t you tell me in advance that you were
Nevertheless, Mr. Quinton was completely different. This was because he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, seeing as he came from a famous second-generation rich family. He had not experienced any shortage of money ever since he was born.Zachary did not want to offend Mr. Quinton, but he did not want to break the rules for antique trade either, and so, he continued looking at Charlie, hoping that the latter would change his mind.Charlie knew that Zachary was pleading with him, but he simply ignored his plea and replied coolly, “No.”Zachary was left utterly helpless and could only sit on the ground and grunt in case Mr. Quinton kicked him again.“Look at how useless you are!”Mr. Quinton yelled as he scowled at Zachary. After that, he glanced at Charlie before saying arrogantly, “You bought this pebble for three hundred dollars? I will pay you thirty thousand dollars if you give it to me!”The people who had crowded around them exhaled loudly as soon as they heard Mr. Q
When everyone saw the arrogant expression on Mr. Quinton’s face, the surrounding crowd held their breaths because they were certain that Charlie would lose in this confrontation.However, Charlie had a calm expression on his face, and he smiled as he replied, “I think that this is not your first time participating in an antique trade. Do you have any idea what is the most important thing in the antique trade industry?”Mr. Quinton looked at Charlie with a cold expression on his face as he replied, “What?”Charlie laughed before answering, “Of course it is the rule governing antique trading!”After that, Charlie raised his voice slightly before he continued speaking. “In antique trades, it is always a first come first served basis. I came first, and I was the first person to buy this pebble. Therefore, this pebble belongs to me already. Even if you kneel before me and beg me to give it up to you, I will not give it to you, otherwise, I will be allowing you to break the rules today.
The cabbie chuckled. "You're a local yet you're heading to Antique Street right away as soon as you land instead of going home? And you're still saying you're not trying to pick up a killer bargain deal?"Come on, man—it's not just you, I want that too. We cabbies work ourselves to death only for ten thousand per month at best while our friend over there made twenty million in one night. I could keep driving cabs for the rest of my life and still not make that much money."Jacob knew that the cabbie must be talking about Raymond and became even more miserable then, grumbling unhappily, "I'm going to Antique Street for business—I'm not trying to pick up some missed bargain.""No? Then you didn't hear what happened yesterday?"The cabbie was immediately curious, and without waiting for Jacob's answer, he exclaimed happily, "Look, man—it was so ridiculous not even Hollywood would put it in their script. There were these fools who were trying to sell an antique trader a replica, but th
It was nighttime in Dubai as Jacob dragged his weary body from the hotel back to the airport.As he was flying economy this time, he was left sitting at the hard bench near the boarding terminal, waiting for it to open.While he waited, his heart was torn as he tapped into the website of the Aurous Hill Charity Fund, found their donation account, and wired the entire 300 thousand he had made over to them.He had picked the Aurous Hill Charity Fund because the circles of antique collectors in Aurous Hill were all discussing how Raymond had donated half of the 20 million he had made to that same charity fund.After Raymond skyrocketed to prominence in Antique Street and became a star, it could not be denied that people admired his profound ability.However, there were also people who envied his skill in turning the tables just as there were those who were jealous he had made twenty million in a single night.Still, Raymond moved fast—soon after word spread that he had made twenty m
Elaine quickly asked, "Well, what if you can't get it done?"Jacob was apprehensive even as he sighed. "If they really pressed the issue, guess I can't even stay at the Calligraphy and Painting Association now… We will see. If things get bad, I'll just resign. I won't ask for much right now, just as long as I don't have to go to jail."Elaine nodded. "Then you should try to reason things out with Raymond Cole or ask for Charlie's help if push comes to shove. Being humiliated is still better than prison.""Okay!"-It was nighttime at Aurous Hill by the time Elaine and Jacob arrived at their hotel.Charlie and Claire had just had dinner, and Claire pulled out her phone, saying, "I just checked my flight app, and it says my parents should have landed two hours ago. They are probably at the hotel, so I'll check in on them with a video call."She had yet to open her WhatsApp when Elaine called her on a video call.Jacob was planning to check in with Claire and Charlie to put their
Hearing what Jacob had said, Elaine became anxious and pressed him as he hung up, "What's going on? You're leaving? But we just got here! My shoes have just caught Dubai dirt, so why are we leaving so soon—"However, Jacob was wiping the sweat off his brow as he mumbled quietly, "Well, at this point, I have to leave or I won't be vice president anymore."Elaine immediately fumed. "We've been married for half our lives, and this is supposed to be our honeymoon, yet we're just leaving? I've posted about this on social media too—there are plenty of people who're waiting for more posts on our trip!"And don't forget—we spent a lot on our flight tickets and our hotels! The hotel bookings can't be refunded either!"Jacob scowled dolefully. "Well, what can we do? Why don't you stay? I'll go home and get this sorted out first….""Well, how long would that take?" Elaine asked."How should I know?" Jacob sighed, uneasy and annoyed. "Don Albert is saying I have to go back and donate the 300
"But I spent 98 thousand on that bronze sculpture!" Jacob exclaimed in agitation before he knew it. "I made 300 thousand from it, and that means my profit was 200 thousand at best, but I'm supposed to return that to him as well?! That means I'd have lost my own capital too!""I can't help you if you can't bear to part with that money, Mr. Wilson," Don Albert said quietly. "In that case, you'll just have to handle it yourself.""Wait, wait, wait!" Jacob immediately became antsy and cried out right then, "Please, Don Albert! I'll return the money! I'll return it, alright?! The entirety of my profits—202 thousand, okay? At least let me keep the money I spent, okay?""By that reasoning, Mr. Wilson, when a phone scammer is told by the cops to return the money they've made from defrauding, should he be allowed to keep the money he spent on telco charges? ""Oh, I…" Jacob was left stumped and could not come up with an answer.Don Albert then pressed on, "Mr. Wilson, I've offered a prom
"Mr. Wilson, what you boys did was truly heinous!" Don Arnold growled. "I scolded Zachary myself when I found out, and I was the one who told him to post that statement!"Jacob was shocked. "But why, Don Arnold? Are you friends with Raymond Cole?""Never met the guy," Don Arnold replied.That left Jacob even more confused. "Then why are you taking his side?""I've been doing my best to clean up my image over the past couple of years," Don Albert replied coolly. "I rarely get involved in mob business or anything illicit, and everyone in Aurous Hill knows that Zachary is my right-hand man, yet he confessed to committing such a heinous crime behind my back. What is that if not sullying my reputation?"Jacob was left reeling as he didn't expect Don Albert to be so serious, but he quickly explained, "I'm sorry. I didn't expect it to affect you so terribly… It's all Zachary's fault! I wouldn't have been aware that Raymond had returned at all, but he just had to tell me and come up with
At this point, Don Albert could very well be Jacob's personal messiah.Even if he did threaten Zachary with calling Charlie persistently, he actually wouldn't dare call Charlie.After all, how would he start explaining that he was involved in a crime? And telling Charlie was basically telling his daughter—what would they think of him after this? Would he ever be able to hold his head high in the family again?As such, his only option now was to ask Don Albert and see if he would help.What he didn't know was that Don Albert was with Charlie, who had already anticipated Jacob's move.When Jacob realized he couldn't stop Zachary, Jacob would find someone who could, and Don Albert was the best man for the job!To no surprise, Don Albert's phone soon started ringing with a call from Jacob.Don Albert didn't answer right away, however, instead turning toward Charlie as he asked gingerly, "So, shall I stick to your script, Master Wade?"Seeing Charlie nod, he pressed on, "Should I
As soon as Jacob sent the voice message, Mr. Bay called.Jacob quickly answered, asking nervously, "How are things over there, Mr. Bay?""How, you ask…?" Mr. Bay sighed in exasperation. "The entire Calligraphy and Painting Association was demanding your dismissal as soon as Zachary Evans posted his statement, thinking that you have no business being the administrative vice president let alone have a place in the association."Even those officials came asking me questions, and you know how they are—gossipers, every last one of them, always finding out about the juicy stuff instantly even if it's really no big deal. The only excuse I have to stop them is that we don't have the facts, but this issue still needs to be taken care of."So, be straight with me. Were you a part of this? If you don't, do you have any definitive evidence that can refute Zachary's claims?""I… Uh…" Jacob stammered, unable to answer.He certainly wanted to say no, but he had no evidence to back himself up.
Jacob bellowed furiously, "Raymond Cole made over 19 million dollars! From my bronze sculpture! Yet you're telling me to refund that 300 thousand too?! You're just fucking with me, aren't you?!""Well, if you don't like it, just do what you like, then," Zachary replied calmly and quickly hung up before Jacob could answer.Jacob was left twitching and shaking endlessly, and there was no telling if it was from rage or fear.Beside him, Elaine quickly asked, "What did Zachary say, dear? Can he get that bronze sculpture back?"Caught by surprise at her question, Jacob flinched, and his phone slipped out of his grasp.As it seemed to hover in the air, he tried to catch it twice but failed, but Elaine managed to grab it.It was then that she noticed that he was sweating all over his face, and she promptly asked, "What's wrong, dear?"Coming to his senses, Jacob's eyes went wide with rage. "Zachary is trying to kill me! He leaked the whole thing to his Twitter page—it's like he's pulli