Chapter 128
Sharon glanced at Madeline, not anticipating the latter to look as calm as ever. Where’d she get that confidence she mused before smiling. “You’ve come to the right place today, Mr. Perry. There appears to be a valuable sapphire here…”
“Really?” Dillon serined curious. “But there’s only one quite preeminent recently. Don’t tell me there’s another one?”
“The one and only–the Heart of Snow, was Sharon’s revelation.
That colored Dillon surprised. The Heart of Snow” had been auctioned for 16 million dollars, and the bid was won by a mysterious big shot because, at that time, other tycoons showed reverence by not counter–bidding.
From Dillon’s perspective, “the Heart of Snow” could not possibly be in a place like where he was. He let out a gasp. “Is it really the Heart of Snow?”
“Maybe not, I guess, but I’m not sure. That’s where you come in” Sharon glanced at Gavin and added, “After all, we all know how valuable the Heart of Snow‘ is. The chance of it appearing in Acocester is next to zero.”
Her speech came to a momentary hiatus before she continued, “I don’t mean to doubt this lad, but it’s necessary to assume the worst, sometimes. We could even prevent somebody else from getting corned”
Dillon smiled, having gotten the hang of scenes like that, thus regaining composure at once. There must’ve been a disagreement over the authenticity of the gemstone, he mused.
However, Dillon had a prejudice that it was impossible for the Heart of Snow” to be there, so he was not that interested in appraising it. It would be a different story, though, if he were to appraise other gems,
Dillon shook his head and smiled helplessly. “Let’s have a look, then. The Heart of Snow is pure and free from impurities. It’s not difficult to tell. I once saw it right before my eyes, so I remember what it looked like. Rest assured. I won’t make a mistake.
He had a habit of washing his hands before an appraisal. Hence, Charles got somebody to prepare hot water, clean towels, and sandalwood. Dillon washed and dried his hands before placing them over the sandalwood. Not until was he in tranquility did he begin appraising.
Interest piqued, Gavin whispered words to Madeline repeatedly, not bothered by the fact that his gem was about to be appraised as if things had nothing to do with him. He was calm because he reckoned the appraisal was redundant.
“Tsk. I sold you so, Maddie. Watching clowns making a fool of themselves is fun. No kidding, right?” mocked Gavin
Madeline shot him a glance. “Don’t talk nonsense. Mr. Perry is good. We can’t simply generalize all of them as such.”
“Didn’t you say that Aunt Sharon of yours is but a lapdog of the Larson family? Gavin frowned slightly. “Oopsie, my bad. We won’t see dogs in a
Sharon was not deal. Hearing Gavin’s words, she felt that an arrow pierced through her heart. It was nothing lethal but insulting. It made her seem like a drama queen seeking attention.
“Where’s the gem! Please show me. Dillon gazed at the empty table.
Gavin fiddled with the box in his hand on that note. “Have you got my permission to appraise it?”
That almou defeated Sharon entirely. After all this, you’re freaking against the idea? So, what were you doing just now? Why didn’t you say so? And there I thought you were calm. Calling it quits, now are we?‘ she secretly chided.
Charles smiled embarrassedly. “You have a point. Forgive me for being full of myself, Mr. Newton Of course, it’s authentic when you say so. There should never be room for doubt!”
Gavin brushed Madeline’s long hair with his finger and sighed. “You guys simply slandered a sunny boy like me. Ever think I might get hurt?” Deep down, Sharon was giving him hell. Are you even listening to yourself? Sunny boy, my ass! Don’t flatter yourself
“What do you want, then You claim that it’s authentic, but can you prove it” siaron was as icy as the winter. “If you refuse the appraisal, then admit that the gemstone is a fake.”
The only thing Sharon wished was to slap them in the face and return to the capital. No longer would she be setting foot in a seedy place like that again. Dealing with unreasonable, manipulative people only ruined her mood.
“You sure are a weird one: Gavin leaned lazily against the couch, “The gem’s for Maddie, so how does it being a fake or not have anything to do with you? Why do you worry so mucht Those who didn’t know better might start to think the gem is for you. How shameless you are!”
Seeing Sharon’s expression, Madeline could not hold back her joy. Lowering her head, she pursed her lips and smiled.
Layla, in turn, was filled with anxiety. “Why are you being insensible, Maddie? Stop Gavin now! We’re family. No point falling out with each other
because of an outsider!”
Chapter 128
“Enough.” Thomas stopped his wife, for it was not a situation nobodies like themselves could intervene. ‘Since there’s a misunderstanding. Maddie, why don’t you let Mr. Perry clear it up?”
Nodding, Madeline was hesitant. “But… But if Sharon’s wrong, she’ll have to pay the price.”
“Why? They dare to lay a finger on me? This must be a ruse. That gem has to be fake, Sharon muttered inwardly. For some ro look made her think that the whole thing must be a false bravado.
reason, their confident
Right then, Gavin got straight to the point. “If my gem turns out to be real, then… you’ll follow us home and clean up for us. It so happens that our toilet needs some plunging. Pretty easy, isn’t it?”
“What the fuck? You want me to plunge your toilet?” Sharon could not help but swear. “Do you know who I am? How dare you your janitor
Pausing for a bit, she nodded fervently and went on, “Very well, then, but if you lose the bet, you get out of Acocester!”
think of making me
Shocked, Charles pondered. “What a vicious woman. They merely asked her to do some chores, but she’s thinking of kicking them out altogether. Women are dangerous. He then called out, “Mr. Newton…
“Fine.” Gavin waved his hand. He handed the gemstone box to Dillon, who had been watching the drama unfold. “Take a good look.”
Helpless, Dillon glanced at Gavin and Madeline, secretly lamenting. These younger generations are too reckless. He was not looking down on them, but he was certain that “the Heart of Snow” was in a safe at Fairlake back in the capital.
An online search would have easily shown that the Heart of Snow” could never appear in Acocester. Having been through way too many cases like that in his line of work, Dillon would not get carried away.
“Examine it closely. Mr.
Perry. We’d better not slander this sunny boy.” Sharon smirked maliciously. “Even the dead deserve the truth.”
Dillon chuckled. “I only care about the authenticity of the gem, no personal interests involved. Don’t worry, everybody. You have my word–this appraisal will be just
Sharon bobbed her head at that. “Well, of course. We have complete trust in your expertise. The crowd all beheld Dillon
“There might be deviations if this were some other gems, but there’s no way I’ll mistake the Heart of Snow With that, Dillon began to get down to business.
Charles stared over nervously, dreading that Dillon would pronounce the gem as fake. After all, Gavin’s mood would decide whether Charles‘ words carried any weight, should Gavin be in a bad mood, Charles‘ trip there would be for nothing.
He glared at his loser son, Bryan, and mused, From hero to zero, What rotten luck! Bryan sensed the glare from his father and winced silently. Thomas eyed Dillon but did not give a damn about the result. Still, wrapping things up proved to be tough. The only hope he had was for the matter to be settled to resolve the misunderstanding between both parties. Layla, for one, was curious about who told the truth.
Winslet looked at Dillon’s hands, wanting to urge him to hurry up. She had grown uneasy, seeing how Madeline and Gavin look so collected. “What if it’s real? It can’t be… If so, Madeline will forever outshine me. It has to be fake. I’ll get to see what a disgrace she is today! was her thought.
Dillon opened the box and was astonished. “Uh…”
Anxious, Bryan whispered to his father, “What’s this supposed to mean, Dad? Why’s Mr. Perry looking so grim? It’s not a fake, is it?”
Charles smacked his son on the head. “Don’t be ridiculous!”
“Mr. Perry, do you need professional tools for the appraisal? came Sharon’s question. She knew that some gemstones could never be appraised with naked eyes alone. “If you do, we can do it somewhere else to avoid mistaking it…”
