Chapter 20
Joanna unmediately sensed that something was about to unfold. With Margot here, nothing good was going to happen, She thought, “Well, since I am already here, I might as well go along with it.
Dominic glanced at Margot before speaking in a detached tone,
te, “Ah, Miss Caldwell, you’re here.”
Margot’s face stiffened for a moment. The cold, formal tone from Dominic caught her off guard and made her feel slightly uncomfortable.
But she quickly recovered. She knew very well that Dominic had never liked her, so she didn’t let it bother her. If it weren’t for trying to win over Howell, she wouldn’t be here, putting up with his attitude.
Seeing the awkward moment. Polly insediately stepped in to smooth things over. “Margot, you’re here”
“Yes, I brought a gift for Grandpa. I know he’s fond of pipes, so I had the auction house find something special, Grandpa, I hope you like it?” Margot said as she carefully opened a velvet box
The crowd’s attention was instantly drawn to her. It was well–known that Dominic was a pipe enthusiast, but not just any pipe–his collection was rare and valuable
And of course, Margot knew exactly what he liked.
Seeing so many people gathering around, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction. She slowly opened the box with a flourish, and the room gasped in umsan.
Inside was a pipe made of jewel–an ancient, translucent jewel that looked exquisite. It was clear from the moment anyone saw it that this was a top–tier piece.
Someone in the crowd couldn’t help but exclaim, “Wait, isn’t this the jewel pipe from ancient times that was auctioned off recently?”
The guests, all from high society and many of them collectors of antiques, leaned in to get a better look. As soon as they saw the jewel pipe, their eyes widened.
This jewel pipe was a tru
was a true gem. It had been highly sought after at the auction house, and for someone to actually win it was impressive in itself. “Wow, it’s the jewel pipe! I heard the starting bid was in the tens of millions of dollars”
“Yeah, my father was interested in it too, but the price was just too
too high. He had to pass”
“Miss Caldwell is so generous. She really knows how to pick a gift
True. Even a granddaughter–in–law wouldn’t be able to pull off something like this, someone added, a bit pointedly.
The way everyone looked at Margot shifted. They all seemed impressed.
Inude,
Margot was basking in the praise. She’d dropped a small fortune on this, but it was worth it. She thought. You can’t make an impact if you
impressed.
“Margot, you really went all out. How did you manage to find such a rare treasure?” Polly asked, clearly “Polly, I knew Grandpa loved pipes, so I started looking for one a while ago. Luckily, I was able to win it
it at auction,” Margot replied with a modest
well–known dat Duminic had a passion for collecting pipes
And sure enough, when Lisani saw the jewel pipe, a look of excitement and pleasure flickered across his usually calm face. “Margot, you ahouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. I’ve wanted this pipe for a long time, but I never managed
toit Domimic said, his voice thick with appreciation.
Tim just glad you like it, Grandpa, Margot said, her tone warm and si
Howell, watching the exchange couldn’t put feel a sense of pride. Margot had really thought of everything
to get my hands on it. I can’t
But Polly, watching the whale scene unfold, couldn’t resist chiming in. “Margot is really so thoughtful. Unlike some people, who knew it was Grandpa’s binhday and still showed up empty–handed.
It’s a shume that Grandpa doces on her so much, yet she doesn’t seem to appreciate it
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Chapter 20
were pointed, and it was clear she was talking about Joanna.
Her words were
She thought. “Joanna is the beloved granddaughter–in–law of Dominic, yet on such an important occasion, she doesn’t even bring a single gift to show her appreciation.
Meanwhile, Margot, an outsider, is so considerate and thoughtful toward Dominic
As everyone continued to praise Margot, a group of men in black suits suddenly walked in. They wore white gloves and had auction house name tags pinned to their chests.
Seeing them, the guests became curious. The atmosphere shifted as people quickly made way, eager for whatever was about to happen. Soon, some recognized the lead figure. It was Keenan from Knight Auction House. “Mr. Robinson, what brings you here?” someone asked. Knight Auction House was the biggest in Osland City, known for auctioning rare antiques and famous works of art, so many people knew Keenan. “We’re here to
eto deliver a birthday gift to Mr. Buckley. A client purchased an antique and wanted to present it to him, Keenan said respectfully. This only added to the confusion–if Keenan was personally delivering something, it had to be something truly extraordinary.
Everyone was now even more intrigued. They wondered. What could possibly be more impressive than Margot’s jewel pipe, which has already ser the bar so high” Could there really be something more valuable*
Keenan walked directly up to Joanna and bowed slightly. “Ms. Osborne, the auction item has arrived”
Joanna nodded calmly. Thank you. I Please go ahead and present it to Dominic.”
keenan removed the red cloth draped over the box, revealing a velvet case. The crowd gasped in unison. It looked exactly like the box Margot had just presented
When the box was opened, the room fell silent in disbelief. Inside was another jewel pipe, identical to the one Margot had given–ajewel pipe from
angein tunes.
But there was only supposed to be one such pipe. They thought, How could there be two, and why do they look so similar?
The guests exchanged confused glances, unsure of what was going on
Dominic’s face mirrored their shock. He hadn’t expected this. He’d assumed Joanna would bring something different
Margot’s face unmediately shifted. She thought, “This is… impossible!
Joanna, however, remained composed. When she had first seen Margot’s jewel pipe, she was surprised, but now, she was calm and collected. She, 100, wanted to understand what was going on.
The jewel pipe had been purchased through Philip’s connections at the auction house, so there was no way they had made a mistake. If there had been any confusion, it was dearly the auction house’s fault
“Mr. Hobinson, are you sure there’s no mistake?” someone asked.
*WETE certain. This is indeed the jewel pipe Ms. Osborne purchased from our auction house for 20 million dollars. No mistake, Keenan replied confideraly
“Hut how can there be two identical jewel pipes?” Joanna pressed.
“That’s impossible. This jewel pipe is unque. The one you’re referring to must be a fake,” Keenan stated firmly.
That’s nontenue I bought mine at the Unlimited Action House for 20 million dollars as well! How could it be fake?” Margot snapped, anger rising
She couldart possibly believe her jewel piger was take, she’d
a fortune
“Max; you might want to double–check; Keenan suggested gently. “There have been cases recently where people were scammed:
“No, yours is the Lake!” Margot shot luck, seething with Tury
in the crowd chimed in
“But Mr. Robinson has been in this busnes for years. He’s highly experienced and wouldn’t make a mistake in identifying such an item, someone
“Exactly. All the auction items I’ve bought before were handled by Mr. Rolinson, and they were all genuine-
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Chapter 20
“So… what does that mean?” The crowd exchanged uncertain glances, filled with curiosity, pity, and a touch of disdain.
Margot felt her face burn under their gazes. She wanted nothing more than to crawl into a hole and disappear.
