A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Finalizing the deal with Justin Hale was also a key reason she came into the city today.

Notarization, signatures, payment.

Soon, of all Philip Hale’s assets, the only thing left in Seraphina Sterling’s hands was a single antique shop!

She had spent sixty million to acquire Philip Hale’s businesses. Then, Justin Hale, after scheming and pulling every string he could, spent sixty million to buy the jade business from her. For Seraphina Sterling, this meant she had essentially gotten her original target—the antique shop—without spending a single cent!

Of course, Justin Hale knew none of this. He was currently on his way back to Aethelgard, quite pleased with his new assets. If he ever found out, he would probably die of anger! He had been played for a complete fool!

Although the auction was over, Wyatt Gallagher was still accompanying Seraphina Sterling.

"Philip Hale’s antique shop is hardly a sizable operation. Besides, there are many large, well-established antique shops in Sanford. If you want to run an antique business, it’s probably going to be very difficult!" Although Wyatt Gallagher wasn’t involved in the business world, he still understood the basics.

"That may be so, but how will you know if you can’t succeed unless you try?" Seraphina Sterling’s lips curled into a slight smile. ’It was never Philip Hale’s shop she valued, but what was inside it!’

Trinity Street was where all of Sanford’s major antique dealers were gathered. Philip Hale’s shop was at the very end of the street, not a good location, and it rarely got any customers. It was arguably the least valuable of all his assets.

The sandalwood-colored doors had an antique charm. A massive plaque carved with the name "Prosperity Peak Antiques" looked grand and impressive.

The shop’s interior was steeped in an ancient atmosphere. There was an exquisite, wood-carved screen, and a set of blue-and-white porcelain tea service sat on a yellow pearwood coffee table. The shop was filled to the brim with a dazzling array of items, a considerable variety, but aside from the shopkeeper, there wasn’t a single customer.

The moment Seraphina Sterling and Wyatt Gallagher stepped inside, the shopkeeper greeted them with great enthusiasm. "What can I help you two find today? Our shop is fully stocked. Whether for a collection or a gift, you’re sure to find something suitable!"

Seraphina Sterling looked at the man, who appeared to be in his thirties. ’This is him. The man who, five years from now, will rise to fame in the Antiques Circle. The antique shop he runs will force its way into the fiercely competitive market of Aethelgard, carving out a place for itself and even compelling the Hale Family to cede a portion of their market share!’

"I need a Goddess Pendant. It has to be Ancient Jade, with good color and clarity," Seraphina Sterling stated her requirements directly. Wyatt Gallagher knew she intended to test the store manager, so he remained silent.

"You’re in luck, miss. The shop just acquired a few extremely rare Ancient Jade Goddess pendants! You must be buying it as a gift, right? This one from the Early Dynasty is quite nice. It’s from an old mining area, extracted a very long time ago. Plus, it’s Ice Type jade. The older the jade, the more spiritual energy it holds! And it’s only two hundred thousand! I think this one would be very suitable."

The shopkeeper was very enthusiastic. Seraphina Sterling glanced at the Goddess Pendant he mentioned. She couldn’t be certain if it was from the Early Dynasty, but it was clearly very old—from the Republican Era at the very least. As for the Ancient Jade itself, the color was indeed excellent. The price was a bit high, but not outrageously so.

"But I think this one is better," Seraphina Sterling said, pointing to a violet one. ’This one should also be from the Early Dynasty, but it’s a Violet. The price would absolutely be three times higher!’

The store manager’s brow furrowed slightly. "You have a good eye, miss. This one is a Violet and also Ancient Jade. It’s much better than the Ice Type. Consequently, the price is also much higher. If you’re buying it as a gift, the Ice Type one is more than enough."

"But I like this one! Are you implying I can’t afford it?" Seraphina Sterling was no slouch; having spent so much time with Aiden Faulkner, she had perfectly mastered his arrogant, brazen, and demanding attitude.

"That’s not it at all. This piece is one million eight hundred thousand. If you truly like it, you can certainly buy it. I just feel that the Ice Type one is already very good," the store manager replied, still smiling, showing no sign of displeasure.

With a SLAM, Seraphina Sterling smacked her hand on the table. "Are you trying to rip me off? They’re both Ancient Jade from the Early Dynasty. They look the same to me, so why is this one two hundred thousand and that one is one million eight hundred thousand?"

At this, the shopkeeper’s amiable smile vanished. "Miss, I’m afraid you didn’t come here to buy Ancient Jade, did you? My shop, Prosperity Peak Antiques, brings in a lot of inventory but sells very little. We pose no threat to the other antique shops on Trinity Street. There’s no need for you to come here deliberately looking for trouble. It’s pointless."

’What a sharp eye!’ Seraphina Sterling marveled inwardly. ’Was my portrayal of a difficult customer not convincing enough?’

"I must say, Store Manager Xavier, Philip Hale has already been sentenced, and he’s sold off all the Hale Family’s assets. Why are you being so stubborn, just sitting here guarding this shop?" Seraphina Sterling shook her head with a look of pity.

"If I were you, I’d pick out a few valuable, portable items and just run for it! What do you get out of staying here? If the new owner doesn’t trust you, you’ll be fired in a heartbeat. In the end, you’ll lose your job and walk away with no money. That’s a raw deal!" Seraphina Sterling continued to tempt him.

"You’re certainly well-informed, miss. It’s true, Mr. Hale sold off his assets and was thrown in jail. I heard the person who acquired his businesses was a high school girl. If I’m not mistaken, you must be my new boss," Joel Xavier said, smiling once again.