CHapter 218
Noe nodded slightly. “Thanks for the assist, Galen
It’s no trouble at all ”
Sweat was beading on Terrell’s Terehead as he waited anxiously!
How could Ryder be taken away so easily? Most of the shady deals had Terrell’s fingerprints all
over them. If Ryder’s wrongdoings were uncovered. Terell knew he wouldn’t stand a chance of
getting away!
Just days ago, Terrell had visited Travis, who was now getting a taste of prison life. It was far from
living, it was surviving Lights zed 24/7, sleep came in fits and starts under harsh fluorescent
bulbs, and even a trip to the can was under the unblinking nye of surveince cameras. No privacy,
not even dignity, remained for those behind bars.
The mere thought sent shivers down Terrell’s spinel
Il Noe got wind of his part in these shenanigans, he’d be bunking with Travis soon enough
Terrell swallowed hard, silently praying Galen wouldn’t notice the tampering he had done to the
instruments.
Noe stood aside, silently observing as Galen and his team of technicians were busy with their
assessments.
Half an hourter, Galen peeled off his gloves.
“Ms. Schnabel, we need to take these samples back for a thorough analysis with our high–tech
gear, but at first nce, none of these instruments were crafted by Master Rainer, and the iys
and carvings certainly weren’t the handiwork of Master Sylvie,”
Gritting his teeth, Terrell insisted, “Galen, could you take another look? How are they not Master
Sylvie’s creations?”
Galen waved him off, his face a mask of reverence and seriousness. “Master Sylvie is my idol! I’ve
studied every single one of her sculptures meticulously, and I can tell you, the pressure and
technique used in these carvings are nothing like her signature style!”
Galen was dead serious, offended that someone would dare question his idol right before him!
Noe nced at Galen, surprised. The owner of the appraisal center was a fan of hers?
Galen continued to point out several inconsistencies in the carvings on the instruments, minor
details that only a true aficionado would
notice
Indeed, he was a fan.
Noe nodded in acknowledgment “If they’re all fakes, there’s no need to send them for further
appraisal. These instruments, mere antiques with no real value, are likely bought from some flea
market to pass off as rare finds.”
Realizing they were dealing with counterfeits, there was no sense in wasting more time on
appraisals.
Terrell, clearly distressed, dabbed at his forehead with a handkerchief. “Ms. Schnabel, the nephrite
in these instruments is genuine. Event if the instruments aren’t the work of Master Sylvie or Master
Rainer, the nephrite alone is quite valuable. I was duped by Ryder. Just at single piece of the
nephrite alone is worth two hundred thousand!”
Noeid her hand on one of the nephrite pieces and, with a firm twist, removed it from the
instrument
Without the wooden backdrop, the stone’s impurities were ring under the bright light. It was the
lowest quality of nephrite
“Two hundred thousand? For that sum, I could get you a hundred thousand pieces just like it. I
thought maybe two thousand was a fair estimate but seems I’ve overrated this trash and
underestimated your nerve.”“
Terrell was stunned; he never expected Noe to physically dislodge the nephrite!
Even a novice could discern the quality of the stone. This piece of nephrite was coarse and grainy,
the kind that wouldn’t even turn heads in the jade market.
Noe raised an eyebrow at Terrell. “As the manager of a music store, conspiring with appraisers to
cheat customers by flipping real for fake, buying low and selling high, and charging exorbitant fees
for false certificates. Your city mansion was probably funded this way. wasn’t it? The shop’s sry
can’t afford you à Lamborghini, yet you boast three, all collectors‘ editions. Terrell, you and Travis
truly are cut from the same cloth. I reckon you’ll be sharing a cell soon enough.”
Seeing the tide turning against him, Terrell backed away, defiant but desperate. “You… You’re
talking nonsense. I earned my money through hard work. I’ve been with this store for years, and not
even Mr. Horwich could fire me. Don’t you go too far!”
Noe’s gaze was heavy with disdain and . “Would you dare tell my grandpa about your
escapades?”
Terrell, faced with Noe’s icy stare, shuddered, leaning on the windowsill before making a rash
leap outside!
The assistant manager gasped. “Ms. Schnabel, should we go after him?”
Noe shook her head. “Do you really think a pig can make it far after jumping from the third floor?
Besides, I had some… additions made to the garden bed below”
10:56
The store’s garden bed, facing the street, was always nted with seasonal blooms for decoration,
switched out every quarter.
Temell’s scream echoed from below.
The assistant manager peeked down to see Terrell, hefty and greasy, caught up in the cacti that
filled the garden bed!
Noe stated tly, “Call the police and have him taken away.”
“Right away, Ms. Schnabell
Those cacti, part of Pris Star’sst quarter experiment and imported directly from the desert, had
not been ounted for by Terrell in his hasty escape. He was now a human pin cushion!
“You” Noe said, tuming to the assistant manager “will take over as head manager. I expect no
more mistakes.”
The assistant manager, overwhelmed with gratitude, replied, “Thank you, Ms. Schnabel, for this
opportunity!”
e store’s
Noe efficiently dealt with the counterfeit goods and reorganized the store’s operation. Galen, who
had been watching from the sidelines, couldn’t help but admire Noe’s swift handling of the store’s
affairs.
It seemed that young Ms. Schnabel was not only an apprentice of Master Rainer but, in the vein of
the Schnabel family, a business prodigy as well.
“Galen, could you do me a favor and appraise all the zithers in the store? We’ll settle the fees
ording to standard rates.”
“You got it, Ms. Schnabel. I look forward to more coborations with you,” Galen replied with a grin,
his eyes crinkling at theers.
Noe was an apprentice of Master Rainer and the proprietor of thergest music store in the
Imperial City: Galen knew his appraisal center would be working hand in glove with Noe for the
foreseeable future.
Galen sprang into action, his team bustling about, attentively inspecting each instrument,
After straightening out thest zither, Noe turned and caught sight of Palmer. He’d been leaning
against the door frame, a smile ying on his lips as he watched her take charge. This was her
realm, and he seemed content to observe hermand the room with natural authority.
“You’re doing great, Noe. Seeing you in your element gives me a run for my money. As a reward,
would you care to spare a moment to hear me y a piece?” Palmer offered with a twinkle in his
eye.
y a piece? For her?
“You can y?” Noe asked, her eyebrow arching in surprise.
I’ve picked up a thing or two watching others. I dabble,” Palmer confessed with a casual shrug.
He picked up a ssical guitar from a nearby stand and led Noe by the hand into her office,
gently closing the door behind them.
Settling into a chair, Palmer cradled the guitar and his long fingers began to caress the strings,
sending ripples of melody through the
Content property of N?velDra/ma.Org.
air.
Noe’sshes fluttered slightly. “Your wrist is injured, you shouldn’t be ying.”
w guys serenade their sweethearts Palmer let out a soft chuckle. “It’s no big deal; I can manage
with my left hand. Back in college, I saw with guitars. I figured, why not give it a shot? Maybe I can
make my fiancée feel just how much she means to me!”