A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Chapter 262: Chapter 262: Who is the Goddess (4)

”It’s making me jealous just watching. Seraphina, for my birthday, I’ll be happy with just a piece or two of Early Dynasty blue and white porcelain! I’m easy to please. I’m not picky—vases, plates, I like them all!”

Seraphina Sterling gave a warm smile. ’Felix Gallagher is really helping me out, backing me up in front of all these people! Selling him that Emperor Green was definitely the right move.’ ”Don’t worry, Mr. Gallagher. That’s something I can certainly manage!”

Once Felix Gallagher spoke, everyone present understood the situation. ”Well now, Gallagher, you know Miss Sterling quite well?” Justin Chapman was quite surprised. Felix Gallagher was a man of immense influence. Although the Chapman Family had grown rapidly over the past year, when it came down to it, they were still a step below the Gallagher Family. It was obvious that Felix Gallagher and Seraphina Sterling were not just casual acquaintances; their relationship was far from ordinary.

”Of course! I’m the lucky one to have met Seraphina. Mr. Chapman, don’t let her age fool you—she’s incredibly capable. In some respects, even I can’t compare to her!” Felix Gallagher patted Justin Chapman’s shoulder, his words full of meaning.

Felix Gallagher had spoken loud enough for those nearby to hear, and his words only made the crowd more curious about Seraphina Sterling. What abilities could a young girl of seventeen or eighteen possibly possess to earn such high praise from a man like Felix Gallagher?

In this round, Faye Sterling had lost completely.

Faye Sterling knew it, and the other young people her age knew it even better. These kids, growing up in such affluent circles, were all as sharp as tacks. A few of the bolder girls gathered around. ”Seraphina Sterling, where did you get such unique earrings?”

”Apex Collections. It’s an antique shop, and they have a wide selection. It’s not just earrings; they have other jewelry too, all crafted from valuable antiques. However, you probably won’t be able to buy any.”

Seraphina Sterling remained perfectly polite, the faint, captivating smile never leaving her lips. All the while, she was laying a trap for them, just waiting for them to willingly walk right into it.

”Why not? Do you think we can’t afford them?” a hot-tempered girl immediately bristled. For people like them, public image was everything, and Seraphina’s words were easily misinterpreted.

”Oh, that’s not it at all. We all come from prominent families; I’m sure money isn’t an issue for any of you. The problem is, Apex Collections doesn’t have a branch here in Aethelgard. So even with all the money in the world, you still can’t buy their pieces,” Seraphina explained with an air of innocence.

”That’s no problem! I’ve set my heart on their jewelry. Just tell me where the shop is! I’d make a special trip just for a unique piece like that!”

”It’s in Sanford. But you don’t have to go to all that trouble if you really like their things. When I was leaving, I heard the owner say they’re planning to open a store in Aethelgard soon. I’d imagine they’ll have an even wider selection of this type of jewelry then. You can just remember the store name. You might stumble upon it the next time you’re out shopping.”

Seraphina’s voice was naturally soft, almost overwhelmingly gentle. Coupled with the warm smile that never left her face, her words quickly began to wear down the group’s initial hostility toward her. The tension from moments before gradually dissipated.

”Apex Collections... Why does that name sound so familiar?”

”I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before, too!”

”I think I saw it somewhere, but it must have been just a passing glance. I didn’t look closely.”

”I remember now! Weren’t we at The Gilt Alley the other day? We saw this huge, lavishly decorated storefront, but it wasn’t open for business yet!”

”Now that you mention it, I remember it too! There really was a shop like that!”

...

Faye Sterling watched as everyone crowded around Seraphina Sterling, chatting away so congenially, and her heart instantly filled with rage. ’I was trying to make a fool out of her, so how did it end up like this?’