Dennis snapped, "I did not ask if you or my son is at fault, Frank! I'm Bill's father, and I won't just play nice to the man who crippled him—even if I can't beat you now, someone else will!""I will tell Gene Pearce about this!" He snorted coldly. "We've been friends for years, so if you want to live, break your own balls and come to my house to apologize to my son… or else!""Exactly. Once Mr. Pearce takes action, you will suddenly realize who's right." Hugh sneered beside Dennis.It was obvious that Hugh was using Dennis' connection to Gene to get rid of Frank, as he was convinced Frank was a dead man if Gene made his move.After all, the man had both the money and connections, while Hugh did not have to do a thing to kill Frank and avenge Sif Lionheart.Nothing was more ideal since the Turnbulls could not turn against Gene.However, Frank remained undaunted. In fact, he was puzzled. "Dennis, may I just ask if you're actually close with Gene Pearce?"Dennis stiffened at Frank
Soon, Gene himself appeared on the second floor landing.His cheeks were flushed. He had a fine complexion, and he did not need help walking, not to mention that his back was sharply upright."Everyone, welcome to my charity auction. You may consider it a gesture of gratitude to all who showed concern while I was taken ill.""Hehe." He chuckled as he headed downstairs. "So many have come to visit me, bringing all kinds of presents, which is why it occurred to me that we should just put together a charity auction."On one hand, we'd all be contributing to philanthropy, which is a good deed. On the other hand, I can hold an event where everyone can gather—who knows, new partnerships might be forged, and there's money to be made."The hall applauded as Gene finished—the man could certainly give a speech.Moreover, he gave the perfect excuse for everyone giving him gifts, making a killing while using the auction to announce his grand return.Not only would he lose nothing, but he wo
Hugh chuckled. "Since so many are watching, it's impossible for Mr. Pearce to stay his hand—not when he's suffering such blatant slander while one from his subordinate's family has been assaulted! When that happens…"Dennis was clapping and laughing even before Hugh finished. "Frank is a dead man, and my son will be avenged!""Exactly!" Hugh nodded smugly—Frank would never weasel his way out of this one.No matter how strong he was, did he stand a chance against the richest man of the east coast?Gene had all the money and connections he needed. He just had to hire a couple of guys, and Frank would be dead as a doornail.Even as Hugh and Dennis hatched their plan, they were leering at Frank sinisterly.Frank sensed it too, but he could not care less since he was preoccupied—his jade fox sculpture was broken.It was likely that there was contact when he fought the security guards earlier in the men's room, and the sculpture was slowly cracking. If the jade marrow was extracted
"What? A pure jade vase from ancient times?!""The Turnbulls really are rich!""That has to be worth billions…"As the guests went abuzz, Hugh announced, "With this gift, on behalf of the Norsedam Turnbulls, I wish Mr. Pearce good health and prosperity.""How kind of you! Thank you very much." Gene smiled and nodded.He was close with the Turnbulls, and they were tight as business partners.Although the main family did not come, a branch family was here and brought such a precious present, so it counted.And it was a grace to be remembered."That pure jade vase dates back to an ancient civilization? That's why the Turnbulls are the top philanthropists of the country, willingly donating such a treasure.""They really are generous!"Hugh was smiling smugly as he basked in the praise, feeling immeasurably smug.It did hurt spending so much money on the vase, but being praised and making a good impression on Gene made up for it.Moreover, getting into Gene's good graces and get
Hugh pointed at Frank as he snapped, "Who do you think you are, Frank?! Every item presented here would've been appraised by a specialist. There is no way my vase is a fake! Or perhaps you think you're better than the appraiser Mr. Pearce invited?!""Hmph."An elderly white haired man snorted audibly from the front row.He was the appraiser Gene invited and a famous magister on the east coast.Since he appraised every auction item before it was brought on stage while he stated an estimated value, Frank's loud protest was undoubtedly a slap to his face."Son, I'm Tet Boran of Ysalin, and everyone addresses me as a magister. I have seen that pure jade vase with my own eyes—there's no faking it! If you're trying to cause trouble, you've picked the wrong opponent!""What?! That's Magister Boran?!""That's Gene Pearce for you. He invited a magister!"The man in white's words left everyone in shock—the man knew his antiques and modern articles, and was himself an elite martial artist
Could the young man have created new heights with his martial arts and already risen among the best of Draconia?!Tet was shocked by his own hunch, especially by the half-millimeter crack Frank mentioned.No average Joe could have peered into it and would struggle even with a magnifying glass!"Grafting, huh…" Tet murmured as he beckoned at his apprentice to bring a high magnification magnifying glass.On the stage, Hugh started to panic a little as he saw Tet about to appraise his vase again.Frank might be his enemy and Sif Lionheart's murderer, but Hugh still had to admit that Frank was skilled when it came to appraisal. He already proved himself back at Jade Dragon, noticing flaws that even collectors could not see."Bastard…"At that moment, Hugh realized that Frank must have kept quiet when he bought the vase and waited until he presented it to point out the flaw, just to humiliate him!There was no doubt about it—the man's cunning was sinister!However, his blame was
That was why Tet had been exceedingly humble.For someone like Frank to be so accomplished at his age, Tet scarcely dared to imagine the influence that backed him.Bowing his head to Frank, he said earnestly, "Apologies for trying to pull rank earlier, Mr. Lawrence. Please forgive my indiscretion."He had his dignity too, which was why he did not kneel and beg.For Frank's part, he was no bully—he nodded as Tet apologized, accepting the apology.Around them, the guests' jaws dropped as they looked on. Many of them could still remember Hugh claiming that Frank was just Vicky's sugar baby!"Is that man really just some manwhore? How could he be so knowledgeable?""Yeah… Could Hugh Turnbull have been lying?""Hah! The magister himself confirmed that the pure jade vase is fake. Isn't that a slap to Mr. Pearce's face?""The way I see it, Hugh is just some frivolous character who yaps a lot to make himself look important.""He's just a member of the Turnbulls' branch family.""Bra
The people who had the social standing to be invited by Gene certainly would not care about money.The way they saw it was that the vase was proven to be a fake, and everyone in the hall knew it.In that case, this was no longer a question about money, but a question of whether they could afford the embarrassment.If word got out that one of them bought that fake vase, they would be made a laughing stock. Forget selling it off to someone else—no one would buy it unless they had brain damage.That, or they would get off on being mocked and a willing clown. Otherwise, no one else would willingly buy that fake vase.Even Frank was shaking his head in disappointment. "You could use it as a cup to drink from, but its value…"The vase was now a poisoned chalice no one would touch, as anyone who would willingly do it was basically a sucker.And since every guest present had a reputation to maintain, they would certainly not buy the fake vase willingly.Hugh himself understood Frank ri