Chapter 322



His younger companion was quick to clarify. “My boss believes your auction house must address this. An apology won’t suffice. Selling counterfeits is a serious breach in our industry. It could severely damage your reputation.”

Kallie’s demeanor chilled as irritation flickered in her voice. “Let’s stay on point. If an item from my auction is at fault, I will certainly take responsibility. However, I need confirmation that the purchase was made here. We do not deal in forgeries.”

Having predicted her response, the young man stepped forward, presenting a box.

Kallie opened it with a skeptical eye, revealing shattered ceramic shards. She picked up a piece, scrutinizing it closely.

Her years in the business had honed her expertise, and she recognized immediately that it was a counterfeit.

Her gaze then shifted to a USB drive also lying in the box, her suspicion deepening. The composure of the affluent man before her made it clear that he wasn’t the type to fabricate claims for extortion. Had a counterfeit really slipped through their stringent processes?

With gravity settling over her, Kallie summoned a staff member to fetch a computer.

Plugging in the USB drive, a video flickered to life on the screen.

It captured the moments post-auction, showing a member of her staff delivering items to Room No.1, where the two had awaited.

The young man, now revealed to be the person accepting the box in the footage, exited the room with his superior, who gingerly handled the item until it abruptly fractured.

The incident unfolded within the confines of her auction house, contradicting Kallie’s vehement assurances.

Her eyes widened, a flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. The assurance she had voiced so confidently had just been publicly refuted. “Why would a counterfeit appear here?” she murmured to herself, baffled.

Davis had gone pale, saying to Kallie hastily, “Miss, it doesn’t add up. Even a fake wouldn’t break that easily. We’ve been framed.”

Kallie’s instincts aligned with Davis’s. The delivery staff had worn masks, their identities obscured—a deliberate attempt to avoid recognition.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle this,” Kallie said to Davis.

The young man’s discontent was palpable. “Ma’am, that’s not what you were saying earlier. It doesn’t matter if he’s your employee or not. My boss has been deceived under your watch. This needs resolution.”

Kallie, anxiety nipping at her, asked the seated man, “How would you like us to make this right?”

The young man bristled further. “What do you mean? Do you think my boss is after your money?”

At that, the man, who had remained mostly silent, finally spoke with an icy clarity that cut through the tension. “Lenny,” his voice dropped to a command. “Shut up and leave us.”

His stern directive silenced the room.

Kallie’s heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, eerily familiar, stirring memories.

Her gaze fixed on him with newfound intensity as the room cleared, leaving just her, Sophie, and the masked man.

Sophie, curious and undaunted, edged closer to the man, fascinated by his mask.

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