"25 dollars! That's the lowest price I can offer you. This is the best item here, even if you go around this flea market, you won't find anything as beautiful as this for 10 dollars. It's still very shiny," explained the secondhand merchant as he stood in front of his stall, facing the brown-haired, green-eyed male buyer.The tall man named Benjamin remained silent. "Huh," he sighed deeply upon hearing the price of a square-shaped secondhand item now in his grasp.An antique music box, it would be perfect as a gift for an antique enthusiast."Damn," thought Ben as he glanced at his pants pocket, realizing he didn't have much money, apart from the 10 dollars."Come on, Old Man, what's wrong with giving a discount? In return, I'll help you promote your secondhand items to a lot of people," he said, pulling out 8 dollars from his pocket and forcefully placing it in the palm of the old man's hand, James, the gray-haired, thick-mustached seller.Now Benjamin shouted, making his voice heard
Everyone was gathered in a hall where the entire Campbell extended family was present, including uncles, aunts, and relatives from Elizabeth Parker Davis's side, who was celebrating her 72nd birthday.With a smirk on his face, it seemed that Matthew was still not satisfied with belittling the small gift brought by Benjamin."I'm absolutely certain that a poor, unemployed man like Ben wouldn't be able to afford expensive items. I'm sure the package only contains garbage that would make Grandma sick just by looking at it."I'm baffled by how a loser like you can always manage to embarrass your own wife like this." He directed a scornful gaze at Olivia, who had been silent and standing beside her husband all this time.Benjamin and his wife had been trying to avoid Matthew ever since they entered the hall, but Olivia's older brother kept hovering around them, only to mock the couple.Suddenly, two neatly dressed male servants with bow ties were seen carrying a large antique vase adorned
"Beware of how you speak, or I will silence you!" threatened Matthew, who now appeared threatened himself."I am not speaking recklessly; I am confident in what I say. This vase is fake! You cannot deny the fact. No matter how skillfully you paint it, anyone who pays attention to this object will realize that it is just a cheap item that has been repainted."It is not as expensive as you claim, millions of dollars seem like an exaggerated statement." Ben's explanation caused the guests to become more animated, whispering among themselves.Matthew was at a loss for words, now glancing towards his parents. "What is this beggar saying? How dare he speak so freely! Is there anyone who would believe his big mouth? You're just making things up."Mom, Dad! You surely know that I would never do such a thing. Don't believe his nonsense!" Matthew pleaded anxiously.Benjamin let out a slightly long sigh, scratching the edge of his forehead. He also stifled a laugh at his brother-in-law's behavio
Elizabeth fell silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on the large vase right beside Matthew."Come on, Grandma. Matthew must be really waiting," Olivia coaxed again, gently shaking Elizabeth's arm, while Matthew remained silent, occasionally swallowing hard.As Olivia hoped, her grandmother nodded and agreed to her request, so Elizabeth gently let go of Olivia's hand and walked towards Matthew, who was already trembling."Damn it, Olivia is so annoying," thought Matthew, swallowing hard as Elizabeth, with her slow steps, came to a halt right in front of the vase.Everyone felt the tension, especially when the 72-year-old woman stared at the vase with an expressionless face.Elizabeth seemed like she wanted to touch the vase, but she refrained, for some reason her fingers halted just inches away from the large vase.She then lowered her hand. She didn't speak, leaving everyone puzzled and even more curious about the authenticity of the luxurious object.Without saying a word, with an imp
"Do you really not know?" Elizabeth asked again, and Olivia still shook her head.Elizabeth took a deep breath before speaking, as if trying to contain the pent-up anger."I want your husband to realize his mistake, and for you to introspect as well, so that you both don't repeat these mistakes in public, especially ... at grand events like this." Elizabeth's gaze once again sharpened on Benjamin, her grandson-in-law."Benjamin!" Edward called out in a raised voice."Shouldn't you have some self-awareness? Is it pleasurable for you to slander Matthew like that in front of the guests? Are you aware that you've embarrassed your own brother-in-law in public?" asked his father-in-law again with anger.For a moment, Ben closed his eyes, the sound of his voice calm, then his gaze met Edward's, who was now also looking at him. "Forgive me, if I interrupted your words, Mr. Edward, but I have never slandered anyone. I speak the truth by saying what I saw and believe in."I don't doubt myself b
Elizabeth, Edward, and Victoria sounded unified when scolding Matthew. The expressions on everyone's faces in the room looked genuinely disappointed with him."This time, we forgive your carelessness, but there will be no mercy next time for something like this!" Edward scolded, sounding very upset.If not for Victoria's intervention, he might have already struck Matthew in front of the silent Elizabeth. But within that silence, this old woman could get angry enough to strip away all privileges and even change her heir's name.It was quite worrisome for Edward and Victoria, especially for Matthew who had been yearning to become a tycoon without having to work hard at a young age."You ... how could you even think of buying cheap goods and applying toxic paint to that gift? I, as your mother, am disappointed in you!" continued Victoria, sounding disappointed.Matthew let out a long sigh while shaking his head. “I-it was unintentional, how could I do it intentionally? I really didn't kn
Ben's palms clenched into tight fists, he tried to look okay, holding back all his anger.He walked out of the Campbell family meeting room with firm steps and no hesitation. Then, when he was a few steps away from the door, his steps suddenly stopped for a moment.Benjamin briefly stood still, with one hand holding his waist, while his right palm rubbed his forehead, as if he realized something.When he wanted to turn around, he canceled it and chose to continue walking, I don't know what he was thinking, but his face looked annoyed.He tried to ignore it, but what he now realized still bothered him. His steps stopped again in the corridor.Ben stood with both palms clenched."Why are you all still following me?" asked Ben in a loud voice, without his body turning around, making the footsteps of the people he had heard following him stop.However, there was no response at all, that people seemed to deliberately choose silence."Annoying" Benjamin muttered in annoyance.He, who could
Elizabeth sat in her chair without much reaction to this insistence from her daughter-in-law."Mom, please, do something! It's been days and we still can't find Olivia at all."Please, Mom! I miss my daughter so much, aren't you worried that something bad might happen to her?"Come on, Mom! Please, do something!" Victoria continued to plead in front of her in-laws who looked impassively calm.Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment and then continued speaking. "I've asked my people to look for her, is that not enough?""Of course it's not enough! You can do more than this, but you don't care at all." Victoria snapped at her, making Elizabeth's eyes look round in annoyance.While Edward panicked and tried to defuse the situation, it was clear that his mother was now angry. "Please, Mom, don't be mad at Victoria. She's just dizzy with panic, and she snapped unintentionally."Matthew interrupted, all eyes turning to him. "I don't think we should be tense, it could be that Olivia is having