A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Chapter 145: Chapter 145: No One is Simple (2)

”I’ll take the bonus! But I’ll pass on the internship opportunity!” ’A fifty-thousand-dollar windfall just fell from the sky. It would be foolish not to take it.’

”Seraphina Sterling, what do you mean? Is an internship at Serenity really not worth fifty thousand dollars to you? You’re so short-sighted! Do you have any idea how many people have tried to pull strings and use connections to get an internship with us, only to fail? And you’re just throwing away such a golden opportunity! You’d better think this through. An opportunity like this won’t come again! Not just anyone can waltz into Serenity!”

Michelle Galloway shot Seraphina Sterling a contemptuous look. ’Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t pass up such a great opportunity!’

”I think it’s for the best that I don’t join Serenity Antiques,” Seraphina said softly, which immediately set Michelle Galloway off.

”What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying Serenity Antiques isn’t good enough for a high school student like you? Seraphina Sterling, don’t be so arrogant! All you did was find one fake. What’s there to be so proud of?”

A faint smile touched Seraphina Sterling’s lips as she shook her head. ”You’re mistaken. If you don’t mind, I can point out a few more forgeries. For instance, the toad to the left as you enter the main hall, or the third-to-last calligraphy scroll directly across from me, and, say, the Cerulea vase in the display case!”

Seraphina Sterling’s words were a blatant slap in the face to Miles Galloway and Quentin Marshall. The two of them had just admitted to there being only one fake in Serenity Antiques, and in the next breath, Seraphina had pointed out three more. As if on cue, both men’s expressions turned grim.

”Seraphina Sterling, you need proof to make claims like that! You can’t just spout nonsense!” Before the two men could even fly into a rage, Michelle Galloway had already erupted. Her shrill voice echoed through the hall, making everyone frown.

”Proof? Sanford is a city with a thousand years of history, and it’s filled with countless antique shops. Galloway can go to any one of them and bring back any appraiser she likes. As long as that appraiser has any level of skill, they will definitely be able to see that the three items I just mentioned are all forgeries.” Seraphina Sterling remained as calm as still water, her tone unhurried, as if she were discussing the most ordinary of matters.

The contrast between the hot-tempered Michelle Galloway and the composed Seraphina Sterling was stark. Standing face-to-face at such a close distance, it was obvious at a glance who held the upper hand and who was outmatched.

Miles Galloway glanced at the three items Seraphina Sterling had just mentioned. She was right—they were indeed forgeries. Although they were convincing replicas, they were, unfortunately, just imitations.

’But how did these three items end up in the shop? Serenity’s appraisers shouldn’t be making such a low-level mistake!’

In truth, Michelle Galloway had put those three decorations out herself the previous night on a whim. She felt the shop’s original decor was dull and wanted to change up the style. She never imagined it would lead to a situation like this.

”Now do you understand why I’m turning down the internship at Serenity Antiques? I have serious doubts about the standards of the appraisers here. A supposedly reputable antique shop has this many forgeries on display for sale! This isn’t an antique shop; it’s more like a clearinghouse for fakes! It’s not hard to imagine the caliber of your appraisers!”

After her explanation, Seraphina Sterling glanced at the reporter. ’He’s been recording this whole time. I wonder what the final news story will look like after editing.’

”Seraphina Sterling—” Michelle Galloway roared, indignant. She was like a bomb on the verge of exploding.

”Are you about to give me my bonus? Mr. Galloway just said he’d award fifty thousand dollars for every forgery found. I’ve just found three more! That’s two hundred thousand in total!” The corners of Seraphina Sterling’s mouth curved up slightly, as if she could see wads of cash waving at her.