A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Chapter 144: Chapter 144: No One is Simple (Part 1)

”This is a very serious matter. Principal Marshall, you’d better think carefully before you speak!” When Seraphina Sterling spoke, the crowd surprisingly felt a sense of relief. During the recent string of crises, it had always been Seraphina who had single-handedly saved the day. They had developed a conditioned reflex—it seemed that as long as she stepped forward, she could resolve any problem, no matter how dire.

”Seraphina Sterling, this is no longer a situation where you should be interjecting. You are certainly very capable, to have even discovered this one and only forgery. It shows you’ve studied well and have a thorough understanding of antiques. The school will reward you for it! But the rest of this is not for you to get involved in.”

Quentin Marshall did his best to keep his tone calm and composed, trying to conceal the storm raging within him—to conceal his hatred for Seraphina Sterling. ’If it weren’t for her,’ he thought, ’things never would have escalated to this point. I wouldn’t have offended Director Lowell, and I wouldn’t be in danger of losing my job!’

Quentin Marshall, however, was used to being a principal—used to having everyone watch his expression and act accordingly, used to others concealing their thoughts from him. Now that the roles were reversed and he had to be the one hiding his intentions in public, he was doing a rather poor job of it. Not only did Seraphina Sterling notice, but even those standing closest to the center of the hall could feel it.

”This is an academic exchange, and it was Sterling who found the forgery at Serenity Antiques. She has every right and qualification to state her views on the matter. And let’s not forget, you made a bet with her!” Director Lowell was now completely disappointed in Quentin Marshall. Seeing him as a liability who was dragging the entire event down, he began to openly contradict him.

Quentin Marshall was left speechless. Director Lowell was the highest-ranking official for this event. He was merely a principal from the host institution; for the duration of this event, his authority was subordinate to Director Lowell’s. As long as the director approved, none of Marshall’s own opinions would be considered.

However, this hierarchy only existed for the duration of the event. Once it concluded, he and Director Lowell would go their separate ways, having nothing to do with each other. It wouldn’t matter who held a higher or lower rank. Even though Director Lowell worked in Aethelgard, he had no real jurisdiction over him. They weren’t part of the same administrative system, which was precisely why he had sided with Miles Galloway.

Seraphina Sterling had been certain Director Lowell would side with her; otherwise, she would never have chosen to speak up at this moment.

”Just now, Principal Marshall said I found the only forgery in Serenity Antiques and that the school would reward me. I just want to confirm—did your bet with Mr. Galloway only concern this Purple Clay Teapot?”

”Of course! In fact, Mr. Galloway had no ill intentions. He just wanted to test everyone’s connoisseurship. He even said he would give the student who found the forgery a generous monetary prize and an internship opportunity. It was Simon who was making a mountain out of a molehill!”

In his own way, Quentin Marshall was expressing his displeasure with Miles Galloway. A moment ago, Mr. Galloway had dragged him into this mess without any discussion, all to protect the reputation of Serenity Antiques. So, Marshall decided to return the favor. There was no such prize money or internship opportunity—he had just made it all up on the spot.

But for Miles Galloway, these were trivialities that could be easily resolved with a bit of money. They had no real impact. Aside from giving Marshall a way to vent his own frustration, his words accomplished nothing.

A broad smile appeared on Miles Galloway’s face. ”Principal Marshall is correct. You managed to see through the one and only forgery in Serenity Antiques. You’ll receive a prize of fifty thousand, and you’re welcome to intern at Serenity in your spare time. Experience is absolutely essential in the antiques trade. Interning at Serenity means you’ll receive guidance from the store’s own Appraisers—that’s not an opportunity just anyone gets! A good mentor will help you avoid many pitfalls in this business.”