The chubby man who lodged the complaint spoke up in annoyance, "You are trying to deceive me. I can take legal action if you refuse to compensate me for the full amount."
Adam turned to the man and said politely, "Sir, please calm down. We will examine it first." The man with a fierce expression looked at Adam as if recalling something, then spoke spontaneously, "Aren't you that poor son-in-law of the McLauren family? Oh my, haha." Suddenly, he laughed. Adam furrowed his brow in confusion. "What's so funny about that?" The chubby man continued his words after he stopped laughing, mockingly, "You know? I know some people who work at the mansion of that wealthy family. And they can't stop gossiping about you. The pathetic man living off the youngest granddaughter. If I were you, I would be so ashamed and wouldn't have the courage to show my face in public. You are truly a useless low-life. Tell me, what's the charm you use to win the heart of a rich girl? I want to try it." Adam couldn't believe what he had just heard. Firmly, he spoke to the brazen chubby man, "I have a decent job. And I don't live off my wife's wealth." The man scoffed, speaking in a cheeky and annoying manner, "Isn't this store owned by your wife? And all the items sold here belong to her, right? Then what do you call a job? Oh, yeah. I remember now. Your job is to deceive customers like me." Adam sighed, not interested in arguing at the moment, so he said firmly, "I don't deceive anyone. The items in this store have official certificates, and complaints about the authenticity of the items have never occurred before." he said with a fierce look. The chubby man's face wrinkled in annoyance as he shouted, "What do you mean? Do you think I'm making this up?" He snorted, then continued, "Wow, unexpectedly, besides being poor and useless, you're also a damn clever dodger." Adam faced the insult calmly and said, "We will find out who is deceiving here." The man's disrespectful tongue-clicking was audible; he seemed very upset. He roughly placed the item in his hand on a table and spoke angrily, "Stop talking and just give me back my money. I refuse to buy fake goods." Adam sighed, continuing to stay calm to handle the situation carefully. He then said, "Alright, please show me the payment proof and the catalog of the item." The chubby man rummaged in his pocket and threw all the papers there in front of Adam. Then he spoke rudely, "Just check it and hurry up a bit because I'm a busy person!" Adam sighed softly, bent down to pick up the scattered receipts, and examined them one by one. After finding what he was looking for, Adam shifted his attention to the item on the table. When the box was opened, a set of antique cups with white and purplish-blue patterns shone, reflecting the light. Adam examined them carefully, observing the small details and comparing them with the available catalog. Everything was smooth and beautiful, just like the originals. The natural color and gradation created from long-term storage briefly indicated that the item was good and well-maintained. However, Adam had spent five years studying to become a researcher and learning about archaeology from a renowned professor. He knew the subtle differences that distinguish genuine antique items from replicas. He knew that the item in his hand was too perfect to be considered an authentic antique. But how could he sell a fake item in his store? He had official licenses and special certificates for every antique item that entered the shop. So, he reached into his pocket, took out a match, and without hesitation, lit the bottom of one of the cups. Then he said, "The items in our store have undergone selection and preservation using natural coating materials. It won't fade if I burn it." he said to the chubby man. The customer looked agitated, his face sweaty. Hastily, he interrupted Adam and spoke in a panic, "What the heck are you doing? I told you that item is fake!" Adam sighed; he now understood. He stared at the chubby man and spoke in annoyance, "I know it's fake! But, this item didn't come from my store. I can prove it." His interlocutor widened his eyes in shock, but unwilling to back down, he started to threaten Adam, "You a fucking fraudster! It's clear that I bought that item in this store. Return all my money quickly, or I will report you to the police." Adam stepped forward and glared at the man fiercely. He spoke very firmly, "Don't play around with me! It's evident that you falsified the item from my store and deceived me to ask for compensation!" The chubby man felt cornered and started to panic, his face covered in cold sweat. However, he wasn't out of tricks yet. He shouted to attract attention from the people around, "Crazy bastard! You are truly an insane low-life man! Look! This McLauren family parasite accuses me of deceiving him when he's the one who deceived me. He refuses to return my money. Scoundrel!"Everyone there was shocked and watching, those who knew about Adam started to gossip about him."Fraud, he say? That's a criminal act!""He looks so handsome, but I never expected him to do something shameful.""Isn't the money from his wife enough? He's the son-in-law of a wealthy and renowned family, how could he stoop so low?""Don't you know? He comes from the streets, no wonder his true nature shows."Feeling encouraged by the surroundings, the chubby man started to provoke Adam again. He spoke in a condescending manner, "You're just embarrassing your wife's family. You fraudster! Isn't it enough that you're milking the McLauren fortune? Now you're deceiving people for money? How pathetic!"Adam clenched his fists in anger. He was on the verge of hitting the man and finishing him off. But he held back. He knew that violence wouldn't solve anything.So, cleverly, he called one of his employees and said, "Bring the CCTV footage when this man came to the store. Also, bring our inspe
Edwin nodded slightly, saying, "I've contacted her, but I didn't mention your injury. I told her the store was a mess, and you stayed overnight to clean it up."Adam looked relieved, recalling the events from the party yesterday. "Anna has had enough trouble because of me. This shouldn't bother her."Edwin patted his friend's shoulder gently, saying, "I understand, buddy."Adam sighed, staring at his palm, feeling something odd. About the strange stone, Adam couldn't stop thinking about it. He then spoke to Edwin, "I feel like something is bothering me right now."Edwin looked at him curiously, asking, "What is it? Is it about the scam scheme?"Adam looked back at his friend, then replied, "No, it's about the jade statue I broke. I remember there was a large piece stuck here," he pointed to his empty palm.Edwin remembered something, then reached into his pocket. He handed a small object to Adam, "This stone? You've been holding onto it all the time. I thought it was valuable, so I ke
His spirits instantly dampened, with a weary expression and a weak sigh, Edwin looked at his friend and said despairingly, "Well, I guess we'll just watch. It's impossible to get anything with him here."Adam simply nodded quietly, responding in the same despondent tone, "You're right."Meanwhile, Anna gazed at the two gloomy men with confusion. She asked her husband curiously, "What's wrong?"Adam shook his head, smiled, and calmly replied, "It's nothing. Isn't this your first time in a place like this? You'll see crazy people throwing their money away for something old." He playfully pinched his wife's cheek.Anna's fair face blushed with embarrassment. A hint of red spread to her ears. She gently punched Adam's chest, covering her embarrassment, and said, "Stop it. You're one of those crazy people too, Adam." The beautiful woman then laughed.The footsteps of the elderly man stopped next to Anna. He turned and greeted the granddaughter of the McLauren family in a flirtatious voice,
Adam looked hesitant, remembering that he had used most of his savings to buy a gift for his grandmother's birthday yesterday. But if he borrowed money from Edwin, it should be enough.So, he turned to his friend and said, "I want to get this one, please lend me some money."Edwin looked surprised to hear that, and he said anxiously, "Are you serious? That's a lot of money, Adam! Are you sure?"Adam nodded confidently.Suddenly, the old Louis raised his number and bid high, "Two million dollars."Adam felt a bit nervous, but he still couldn't bid any higher. He raised his number and bid, "Two million one hundred thousand."People looked towards him, as did Louis. So far, no one had dared to challenge the old collector, because when he made a bid, it meant he wouldn't let go of the item for anyone, no matter the price he had to pay.Louis bid again, his voice loud, "Two million five hundred thousand."All attendees were surprised, doubting if Adam could bid higher than the elderly seni
Adam sighed wearily. He had just lost a precious hope, which could have been a bridge to winning his grandmother's heart.Gently, Anna embraced her husband and gave him strength, knowing that Adam had tried his best. She spoke softly and attentively, "It's okay, darling. We will find something better than that statue."Adam nodded lightly and began to gather his spirits again. He smiled at his wife and said firmly, "You know I never stop trying. Next time, I will definitely find something better than that statue for grandma."His friend Edwin also offered support, patting Adam on the shoulder and encouraging him, "Come on, there are plenty of good things in this world. Don't be sad just because of one statue."The onlookers rose from their seats and looked towards Adam, some grinned and others chuckled softly as if mocking Adam for losing in the competition.Including Louis, the old man with a sturdy and arrogant physique, stood up and approached Adam with a satisfied expression. He g
Louis shouted angrily, feeling slightly humiliated, "Check your machine, fool! It's impossible that all my cards are not working!"The staff sighed and tried to remain patient, then politely said, "I apologize, Sir. But our machine is working fine. Would you like to proceed with the payment transaction using another method?"Louis rubbed his face roughly, with Adam still watching him in front of him. If this continued, he would surely be embarrassed. So, he protested again to the staff in anger, "Do you think I'm crazy to carry that much cash in my wallet?"Adam tried to offer a solution, he said to Louis, "If you don't mind, I can help you withdraw cash from the nearest bank. But if you prefer not to, you can borrow money from me, Sir."Louis looked at him cynically, seeing Adam's kind offer as an insult. Besides, how could Adam lend him money when he himself couldn't bet earlier. Louis scoffed cynically, then said, "You? Lend me money? Am I hearing wrong? How much do you have, anywa
Alex laughed upon hearing that.So, Adam foolishly offered help with Anna's money? That's ridiculous! But, it's good because I don't have to help that old man. Adam, you've given me a brilliant idea!Anna, who was not pleased with her husband's kind offer being insulted like that, finally spoke firmly, "Mr. Louis, it's okay if you don't accept our help. But, don't insult my husband. He sincerely offered to help you."Alex interrupted Anna's words and spoke as if siding with Adam. In reality, he just didn't want Louis to ask him for help, so he said, "My sister is right, Mr. Louis. Adam has been kind. Why don't you just accept it?"Adam and Anna, hearing Alex's words, were shocked and confused. Why was Alex suddenly speaking in their favor?Not only that, Louis was also surprised, not understanding why Alex seemed to be siding with Adam when he knew that accepting help from Adam would lower his self-worth. Flustered and nervous, Louis said to Alex, "Mr. Bown, what do you mean? The mone
Adam took out his card and handed it to the administrative staff, even though he wasn't sure if his account balance would be enough to cover the payment. But, he tried to remain confident.The woman staff in front of him said, "Sir, you will be paying five million dollars for the dragon statue and eight thousand dollars for the service fee."That's very expensive!Adam could only force a wry smile and nod. And if his balance turned out to be insufficient for the payment, he planned to quickly escape with Anna.The PIN was entered, and soon the sound of the payment transaction was heard. Adam gaped and stared in disbelief.Was his money enough?The woman staff spoke again while returning Adam's card, "Payment successful, Sir. We will arrange for the delivery procedures to your location to ensure safe transit. And please fill out some forms first."Adam didn't even hear the woman staff's voice, still lost in disbelief. Then, the ringing of his phone snapped him back to reality.He looke