Tony couldnât help but suspect whether age was catching up with him. He scratched his ears to make sure that his hearing was fine.
âRather⦠big?â
It was the first time Tony had heard such a comment.
It wasnât Casperâs fault. After all, such a vault was small compared with what the Simpsons had. The items that the Simpsons had surpassed the Lanesâ in terms of value and quantity. Besides, the Lanesâ
vault was nearly half as big as Simpsonâs smallest vault. Casper had to think for quite some time before he could come up with the compliment.
Although Tony was shocked to hear Casperâs comment, he soon found a reason to console himself.
Well, itâs probably the way he reacts when he sees antiques, given that heâs a connoisseur of antiques.
If I exchange the antiques with gold and cash, I bet he will be astounded and kneel.
Meanwhile, Casper began to observe Tonyâs collection, which comprised of valuable treasures. He paid attention to the jade at the center of the vault, for it was likely a national treasure.
âThis is amazing!â At that moment, Casper complimented genuinely. Deep down, he believed the item would be a national treasure if Tony could collect the other half of the jade.
Tony was delighted upon hearing it. âYouâre truly a connoisseur! This jade is one of my best treasures in the vault.â
Casper shook his head and replied, âMr. Lane, youâre too humble. How could it be merely the best treasure in your vault? I think it can be the best treasure in the city! Unfortunately, half of the jade is missing, or elseâ¦â
Tony waved his hand and added, âIâll feel sad whenever someone brings it up. After all, itâs a humiliation to the Lanes. The biggest wish that the Lanes have now is to acquire the other half of the jade!â
Knowing that something happened in the past, Casper didnât dwell on it and exited the vault.
Tony asked shockingly, âCasper, donât you want to spend more time visiting the vault?â
âIsnât it enough to gaze at the jade?â Casper replied smilingly.
Tony was startled for a while before he commended, âIâm impressed by the experience and knowledge you have at such a young age.â With that, Tony sulkily asked his subordinate to close the vault. He initially wished to explain the stories about his treasures to Casper proudly, yet Casper was rather unimpressed.
âMr. Lane, letâs talk about the Dragon and Tiger Gang.â Casper didnât forget his purpose of visiting Tony.
âSure, letâs settle the trivial matter.â
Tony led Casper to the basement in his mansion. Soon, they saw the two thugs of the Dragon and Tiger Gang, who were tied up. Judging from the wounds on their faces and bodies, Casper guessed that they probably suffered a lot.
âHowâs it going?â Tony asked.
One of his subordinates reported, âMr. Lane, these two thugs were sent by the Dragon and Tiger Gang to abduct Mr. Wyatt. They hoped to threaten you not to participate in the Antique Fair!â
Tony frowned upon hearing it. âHow could the Dragon and Tiger Gang possibly have the guts to do so?
Why did they want to stop me from participating in the Antique Fair?â
âItâs probably related to Victoriaâs Chamber. They wanted to focus on dealing with Victoria during the Antique Fair and not messing with others. That was why they came up with the idea.â
Tony giggled furiously and replied, âDid they not want to mess with others? How dare they lay their fingers on my son? They must have a death wish!â
As Tony raised his voice, his bellow echoed the entire basement. Although Tony was usually easy-
going, Casper thought he could be furious if someone messed with him.
âI guess the younger ones have forgotten about my way of doing things because I havenât gone out for quite some time! Get their person in charge! Within three hours, I want to see the gang leader kneeling before me!â
âUnderstood!â The well-trained Lanesâ subordinates prepared to execute Tonyâs order right away.
Meanwhile, Casper rested his chin on his hand as he gazed at them. He remembered Victoria used to say that the Lanes were the top gun of the underworld in Horington. As such, he was interested in finding out if the man who loved antiques was indeed an influential figure.
As the young master of the Simpsons, Iâve to be here anyway to find ways to make moneyâ¦
After that, Tony and Casper visited the garden. What happened next was quicker than Casper thought.
Two hours after receiving Tonyâs order, his subordinates returned and flung a middle-aged man with a swollen face to the ground.
âSo, are you Samuel, the gang leader of the Snake and Cat Gang?â Tony asked sternly.
âItâs Dragon and Tiger Gang⦠Ah!â Samuel shrieked in pain. Tonyâs subordinate stopped stepping on Samuel only after Tony instructed him to stop.
âYou can call my gang whatever you like. I beg you to let go of a nobody like me,â Samuel murmured.
âWhy didnât you think so when you planned to lay your fingers on my son?â Samuel shivered upon hearing Tonyâs words. The next moment, he kneeled before Tony and kept kowtowing. âSomeone forced me to do it! Please forgive me!â
The Dragon and Tiger Gang only had less than a hundred members. Hence, they dared to mess with the Lanes because they were either stupid or supported by someone powerful. However, Casper thought both were valid reasons.
âWho is that?â
âItâs the Stalling familyâ¦â Samuel hesitated for a while but answered it in the end.
Tony frowned upon hearing it. âStalling family? Iâve heard that Victoria is a member of the Stalling family. However, why would the Stalling family try so hard to suppress its family member?â
Casper squatted and stared at Samuel. âHas the Stalling family arrived?â
Samuel nodded and said, âYes, many local gangs have received the invitation. The Stalling family promised to give us a lot of benefits on the condition that we have to make trouble during the Antique Fair.â
Casperâs eyes twitched. âAre they stupid? Why on earth would they come up with such a plan?â
Nonetheless, Casper was also delighted because he would soon be able to acquire more territories and men.
He immediately said to Tony gratefully, âThank you, Mr. Lane.â
Tony laughed heartily and replied, âDonât mention it. After all, I hadnât thought about how to repay you for saving my son. So, since you like the gift, Iâd be more than happy to give it to you!â
Then, he pointed at Samuel and said, âWhat are you going to do with the gang leader?â
Samuel was scared to death and begged, âPlease donât kill me. Iâm still useful!â He hugged Casperâs legs and continued, âFrom now on, youâll be my boss, and Iâll be your subordinate. Once I openly support you, all of the members of the Dragon and Tiger⦠the Snake and Cat Gang will obey you and wonât say no to any of your requests!â
Casper pinched his chin as he pondered over it. After a while, he patted Samuelâs shoulder and replied, âAlright. Whatâs your name again? From now on, youâll be my subordinate.â
âSamuel Cook!â
âSamuel, Iâll remember you!â Samuel forced a smile as Casper patted his shoulder again and smiled at him.