CHapter 217
Terrell’s face was a study in difort, hispasum slipping
ping like ice on a hot summer day
Travis, his kin through thick and thin, had been sent up the river by Noe after that fiasco at the art
gallery Word on the street was that he was now getting three squares a day behind bars
“Ms. Schnabel, I’m not sure what you’re driving at Terrell stammered, his words chasing each other
in confusion.
“Didn’t you visit him a few days ago? Seemed like he’s living the life.”
Terrell and Travis shared more than just blood, they shared loyalty. Even with Travis locked away,
Terrell made time for brotherly visits “Ms. Schnabel, I visited him because we were colleagues once.
As for your insinuations, they’re lost on me. Are there any issues with these withers?”
Noe maised an eyebrow, her expression cool and unreadable. “Where did you get these zithers,
Terrell?” “Well, Ms. Schnabel, these zithers have always been at our store! It’s possible that when
you visitedst tim attention to them.”
time, you were too rushed to pay
“The headstock is rounded, the neck a bit short, the waist cinched–rich in sound. These aren’t
Master Rainer’s creations.” Cradling the zither’s waist, Noe flipped the zither over to inspect the
inscription on the bottom. There, stamped into the wood, was indeed Master Rainer’s personal
seall
“Ms. Schnabel, the seal’s right there. We’ve checked it multiple times–it’s genuine.
Terrell was set in his mind that even if Noe knew something about zither construction, she
couldn’t unravel the true origin of this instrument.
Near the tailpiece, there was a mboyant signature–Sylvie.
Noe’s eyebrow arched just a fraction higher.
When did she ever craft this wither and leave her name on it? And that signature–it looked like it
was scrawled by a foot.
“If you insist on ying tough, then let’s bring in the appraisers.”
Vintage zithers and those crafted by masters fetched top price, and there were professional
appraisers in the industry for such items. Terrell didn’t flinch. “Sure thing, I call the appraisers right
now.”
After all, he knew the appraisers–it was all part of the n,
To ensure the uing auction went smoothly. Terrell had already made arrangements with the
appraisal firm.
Stepping outside with his phone, Terrell dialed up his contact.
“Ryder, grab your kit ande to the music store. My boss insists on an appraisal for those zithers.
She’s clueless about how the world works–thinks she’s some kind of expert. It’sughable. I’ve
been in the zither business for years; she can’t hold a candle to me.”
If only Travis had been a little smarter, Noe would never have gotten the upper hand.
Those zithers were pricey finds from the antique market, and though a bit worse for wear when
acquired, a little restoration made them as good as new. A fresh coat of polish and they could sell
for a handsome price.
Ryder, grabbing his toolkit, replied, “Tll be right there. We’ll stick to our agreed price. Just some
greenhorn, a little smoke and mimors will do. Just a Schnabel, barely out of her teens, and she’s
meddling in the zither world? If we don’t teach her a lesson, she won’t know who’s boss!
Before Ryder could finish, the door suddenly burst open with a kick, revealing a group of
unexpected visitors.
“What are you doing here!” Ryder eximed in shock.
Mizar chuckled, stepping aside to let Master/Rainer and the head of the appraisal firm through.
The head appraiser delivered a p across Ryder’s face. “You’ve been with us for years, Ryder,
and you pull these illegal stunts! You dare mess with Master Rainer’s apprentice?”
by the gr
The whole conversation with Terrell had been overheard through the speakerphone by remarks
about Noe
The head appraiser’s face was red with anger
group at the door, including their disparaging
Forget that Ms. Schnabel was the treasured daughter of the Schnabel family–just being Master
Rainer’s acknowledged apprentice made her untouchable in the zither world!
Ryder, hand on his cheek, was still reeling-
On the other end of the line, Terrell waited for a response.
10:56
Master Rainer snorted. “I was beginning to think your firm had lost its way. Take him away–hell fit
right in there, with their regimented schedules.
“Right away, 11l call the policel”
Ryder’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Galen, I’ve given thirty years to the center. Won’t you give me
one chance to make it right?”
“Save it, Ryder. You’re a professional. You took money to deceive customers. That’s fraud, and the
center will hold you ountable.
As Ryder was taken away, Master Rainer gestured dismissively. “I have people to see. I won’t linger
here. Go to the music store.”
“Immediately!” The head of the appraisal firm, Galen, relieved by Master Rainer’s approval, quickly
gathered his staff and headed to Noe’s music store.
Master Rainer had noticed Mizar following and after confronting her, they detoured to the appraisal
center–a fortuitous coincidence.
“Mizar, since you’re shadowing me, get in the driver’s seat. Or do you expect me to chauffeur you?”
“Heh, you got it, Master!”
Terrell, puzzled by the dial tone on the other end of the phone, felt a growing unease.
Ryder, it seemed, had a knack for disappearing mid–call. However, since he promised to show up,
all one could do was wait
“Ms. Schnabel, the folks from the appraisal center are on their way.”
“Great.”
Noe’s fingers brushed lightly over the thirteen markers of the zithers, iid with what was
supposed to be nephrite.
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It didn’t take an expert to realize these were inferior pieces of nephrite. If not for the fact that zithers
didn’t require much of the stone and the iy work made it hard to spot, these scraps of nephrite
would barely fetch two grand. Yet Terrell had somehow managed to hype up these subpar nephrite
zithers to sky–high prices.
The music store’s assistant manager arrived with the appraiser. “Ms. Schnabel, Galen from the
appraisal center is here.”
Terrell’s heart raced at the sight of the neer. Why was the boss here himself? What about
Ryder?
“I thought I was dealing with Ryder. Why is Galen here in person?”
As Galen prepared himself, donning gloves and appraisal gear, he exined to Noe. “Ms.
Schnabel, I’m Galen, owner of the Imperial City Zither Appraisal Center. Today, I’ll be providing my
services to you free of charge!”
Noe arched an eyebrow
“Ryder has been taken for investigation due to a professional transgression. He’s facing a stint
behind bars!”