Chapter 324



“You should decide if you still want to run this auction house.” The man’s smile vanished, replaced by a cold, serious tone.

Her eyes narrowed into a steely squint. Kallie asked, “Is this a threat?”

He shrugged, his voice cool. “What do you think?”

Kallie felt a throbbing headache beginning to build. She remained unshaken by his threat, her resolve firm against his intimidation. But she had no intention of stirring up trouble. Despite the support from the Nixon family, she was determined not to take advantage of it.

He continued, “Just surrender. Even if you leverage the Nixon family, you can’t intimidate me. Displaying only a portion of the drawings doesn’t mean I underestimate your skills. I’ve sought you out because I’m convinced you’re the only one capable of handling this perfectly.”

gα ℓη σ ν𝒆 𝓁s․com holds great reads Just then, a small voice interrupted, “Si… Sir.”

Sophie had appeared without notice. She gathered her courage and clung to the man’s leg, standing on tiptoe with a determined look, as if she had something important to ask.

Kallie’s nerves got the better of her as she hurried over to Sophie, attempting to pull her away.

But the man crouched down, his voice softening as he asked, “Sophie, what do you want?”

Kallie wondered if it was just her imagination. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a hint of affection in his tone.

Sophie pointed at the man’s mask. When he didn’t respond, she took matters into her own hands, her tiny fingers tugging at the edge of it. It looked like she was trying to unmask him.

Kallie hastily stepped forward, her face stern as she gently but firmly pulled Sophie back. “Didn’t I warn you that if you misbehave when I bring you here, I won’t bring you here again?”

“Mommy, I’m sorry,” Sophie murmured, pressing her face into Kallie’s clothes as though she were deeply hurt. Seeing this, the man stepped in on Sophie’s behalf. “Kids are naturally lively. She’s not being naughty at all. I don’t mind it, and you shouldn’t be upset with her.”

Kallie lifted her gaze to meet his. “You like children?”

The man’s gaze softened. “I have a daughter myself.”

Kallie’s surprise gave way to a smile. “How coincidental.” Kallie accepted the design drawing, saying firmly, “I’ll do my best. Please remember what you’ve said and don’t disrupt my auction house. It’s a small business, and I can’t afford more complications.”

“Okay.” With that, the man turned to leave.

As he approached the door, he added, “In a week, I’ll arrange for someone to deliver the first part of the sketched diagram and hand the second part of the design drawing to you.”

Watching him walk away, Kallie suddenly called out, “Jake Reeves!”

The man stopped in his tracks.

In that instant, Kallie’s heart raced with a sudden intensity.

The man turned around, staring at Kallie as he said, “By the way, I forgot to mention that I’ll return to Avalon soon. I hear you’ll be returning as well. Quite a coincidence. You won’t have to worry about it disrupting your plans.”

Kallie was stunned. Her heart sank, and her excitement evaporated.

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