CHapter 222


    which kicked off with the usual fare–a smattering of trinkets and baubles to warm up the crowd.


    Noelle casually eyed the stage, her voice tinged with a cool detachment. “I’m guessing yourst


    injury had something to do with the


    aly the Pocks could have such precise control over Palmer’s interests, luring him to South Flora


    Storage with an heirloom from his tate mother. And it was the Pocks who seemed most eager for


    Palmer to meet his demise, to relinquish his grasp on power.


    Hadeed. That’s why I made sure the culprits and their entire family met with a rather… permanent


    end,” he replied, his gaze softening, but bis words as chilling as the Arctic wind.


    Mahma’s mother was a close friend of my own mother, and those people had the audacity to


    desecrate her grave to lure me in. Since they have such an affinity for graves, I thought it only right


    to give them a family reunion six feet under.”


    Noe nodded impassively. “How benevolent of you.”


    They were more alike than she cared to admit.


    as a shame I’ve yet to find the key evidence of their involvement in my mother’s death.”


    Noe raised an eyebrow. A shame indeed, but evidence isn’t what you’re after, is it?”


    For someone like Palmer taking action never required evidence. He was simply determined to root


    out the true mastermind behind his mother’s untimely demise. In other words, the Pocks‘


    continued existence was not a testament to their strength, but rather to their usefulness to Palmer


    as he hunted for the real viin..


    The once helpless child who could only hide and sumb to despair was now the thunder–wielding


    patriarch of the Pock family.


    The auctioneer’s voice snapped the room to attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, our next item is a


    remarkable piece of nephrite. As you know, the market for nephrite has been quite favorable


    recently, and this piece is a true gem!”


    Interest piqued among the previously indifferent guests, many of whom hade specifically for


    the nephrite.


    The nephrite, roughly the size of a fist,y on the stage, wless and gleaming under the


    unrelenting spotlight, a sight to soothe the soul.


    Let’s not dawdle–our starting bid is three million!”


    Noe’s interesty not with the nephrite itself, but with the person who had put it up for auction.


    Palmer whispered, “A piece from Pris Star?”


    “Perhaps once, but it’s been sold off long ago. Even if it originated from Pris Star, they have no


    im over it now.”


    A nephrite of such quality would havemanded a hefty sum even at its original sale.


    As Noe nced at the nephrite being showcased, she pulled out her phone and began scouring


    for information. Pris Star kept meticulous records of all their sales, and with nephrite being as


    unique as fingerprints, she was certain she could trace its origin.


    Frowning at her phone, she muttered, “The buyer… why is it him?”


    Palmer nced at the information disyed on Noe’s screen.


    The Richardson family, and in particr, Lorne.


    “He bought it only to resell it now?”


    She nodded. “Exactly. And I’ve just learned something quite intriguing–Lorne has been fueling the


    nephrite market’s surge in prices.”


    Boosting interest in an item before a sale wasn’t umon in the antique world, but for Lorne to


    create such a spectacle for a single piece of nephrite? It didn’t add up.


    Noe’s phone buzzed with a new message: [Boss, those zithers were sold directly through the


    Richardson family’s own market.]


    Terrell, a regr at the market, had been in contact with Lorne numerous timesst month.


    Noe’s brow furrowed. “Nephrite prices spikedst month.”


    During that month, Pris Star sold quite a bit of nephrite for a considerable sum.


    “Are you suggesting Lorne hyped up the nephrite market for a windfall?”


    She nodded again. “The Richardsons wouldn’t dare sell subpar items openly. The nephrite pieces in


    the music store are of such poor quality that Lucian would definitely notice if they were taken out


    from Lorne’s antique market.”


    However, it would be a different story if they formed alliances with others! For someone like Terrell,


    as long as there’s money to be made, it doesn’t matter. Lome could earn more money without


    taking any risks, so it wouldn’t be a loss for him at all.


    On stage, the nephrite sold for an eye–watering ten million–well beyond its actual value.


    10:32


    Another message arrived on Noe’s phone: [Boss, Lorne wants to buy more nephrite from us.


    Should we sell to him?]


    Her response was swift: [Don’t sell.]


    [But he’s hinting he has info we’d want, asking for a discount in return.]


    Alioth, her contact, seemed bewildered by Lorne’s antics. Pris Star never did discounts; they


    were more inclined to break bones than


    prices.


    [Find out what info he has.]


    Minutester, Alioth replied: [He wants a face–to–face with you. ims the info is too sensitive for


    text.]


    [Then block him. Pris Star is cutting all ties with Lorne.]


    Alioth nced at the message on his phone and let out a snicker.


    Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    This guy thought he could strong–arm Boss with such a trick? What’s he got rattling around in that


    head of his?


    When Lome received the message forwarded by Alioth, he wasn’t surprised. He chuckled, his


    expression as serene as a clear sky, not a hint of his defenses being breached.


    [I was just kidding around, you know. I just wanted to make friends with the head honcho at Pris


    Star. After all, I was chums with the former big cheese of Pris Star.]


    Alioth didn’t respond, but ryed the message verbatim to Noe.


    [Boss, does he mean he knew our previous head honcho? I sure don’t!]


    Noe’s brows furrowed even deeper.


    What’s Lome getting at?


    [If they’re such good pals, then let him buddy up with thest boss. I’m not interested in a


    partnership.]


    When Lorne received the update, hisposed facade began to crack!


    202 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 9 5 1 2 2 3


    How could the current kingpin of Pris Star be so unshakeable?


    It seemed he needed a fresh strategy to find out who was calling the shots at Pris Star now. He’d


    thought that hyping up nephrite would surely catch the attention of Pris Star, but it seemed the


    interest wasn’t mutual.


    Lorne frowned slightly. “Where did I go wrong? Wasn’t my n foolproof?”


    Shouldn’t these actions grab the attention of Pris Star’s current boss?


    Noe set her phone on the desk.


    Palmer asked, “What do you think of Lorne?”


    “He’s probably not the sharpest tool in the shed. Sounds like he’s got a screw loose. If he’s off his


    rocker, then whatever he’s up to has nothing to do with me.”