Chapter 322
+25 BONUS
Orion’s sharp words left Cedric furious. He raised the statue in his hand, ready to smash it, but Francesca and Elsie quickly grabbed him and calmed him down.
Francesca asked anxiously, “Grandpa, why are you so upset?”
Cedric’s face turned red and pale in anger as he gritted his teeth. “Do you see this statue? Orion tricked me into buying it for ten million, only for me to find out it’s a fake. That rotten old cheat!”
Francesca was livid and stepped forward, ready to confront Orion, but Elsie held her back.
“Ms. Aicker, you shouldn’t,” Elsie said, shaking her head.
“Why not?” Francesca shot back. “Just because he’s a big shot, he’s allowed to scam people?”
Elsie let out a small sigh. “That man is Orion Kelce, one of the top antique experts from Bridgefields. He’s highly respected in the field.”
Francesca was not having it. “So what if he’s an expert? Does that give him the right to cheat, others?”
Elsie replied with a wry smile, “Unfortunately, in the rules of this appraisal event, once a deal is made, all trades are final. The whole purpose of the event is to test one’s ability to identify genuine items. If someone lacks the knowledge and gets tricked, it’s considered part of the game. Complaints are not entertained.”
Cedric’s face was grim as he muttered, “Forget it, Fran. It’s our bad luck. That old cheat only picks on amateurs like me. One day, when he’s sick and dying, I’ll be sure to prescribe him a dose of arsenic.”
Francesca fumed. “That cheater from dares to strut around our town like he owns the place? Can’t anyone put him in his place?”
Elsie shrugged helplessly. “Mr. Kelce is incredibly skilled in appraising antiques. Most people wouldn’t dare challenge him.”
She added, “At events like this, the stakes are insanely high–millions, sometimes tens of millions. If anyone dares to go head–to–head with him and loses, it’s not just about losing face. They could lose everything.”
Andrew suddenly chuckled. “I’m not so sure about that.”
Elsie looked at him in surprise. “Mr. Lloyd, what do you mean?”
Andrew smiled. “I mean, Mr. Kelce might not be as invincible as everyone thinks.”
Elsie blinked in confusion, assuming Andrew’s confidence stemmed from youthful arrogance. Plenty of people did not like Orion, but no one had ever dared to challenge him openly.
12
Chapter 322
Across the way, Orion shook his head, looking smug and uninterested.
+25 BONUS
“Jayrodale’s antique scene is clearly on the decline,” he said, his tone dripping with disdain.” Even Cedric doesn’t dare to play anymore. Is there no one else here brave enough to challenge me?”
He gestured grandly at the crowd. “Don’t worry, won’t embarrass you too much. I’ll even teach you a thing or two about the art of appraisal and true antiques.”
The antique experts hired by Radiant Group scowled but stayed silent, clearly reluctant to engage
age with someone like Orion,
Just then, a clear and confident female voice rang out. “Well, Mr. Kelce, it’s been a while, but you’re just as arrogant as ever.”
The crowd turned toward the source of the voice, curious about who dared to speak to Orion
that way.
The crowd parted to reveal two striking women walking toward the center.
Orion chuckled when he saw them. “Well, well. Look who it is–Aspen Stevens. Still as sharp tongued as ever, I see.”
Andrew’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the newcomers. Of all people, it had to be Christina and Aspen.
“Talk about a small world,” he muttered to himself.
