"Cooperate now, and it might go easier for you," Seraphina urged, her voice firm but not unkind. "Continuing down this path will only lead to more trouble."As the tension in the room thickened, Seraphina's stern expression left little room for doubt. "Tell me, did you commit this act?" She demanded, awaiting Halland's response.Just as Halland seemed on the brink of speaking, the door swung open, breaking the charged atmosphere.Seraphina's gaze sharpened as she turned towards the door, her expression curious yet composed. Her eyes fell on the man in the impeccably suit, a bag clutched under his arm, accompanied by the head of the police department.Halland's face transformed, a glimmer of hope lighting up his eyes at the sight of their family lawyer. The man was their families lawyer so he knew he was there for him. He wasted no time, beseeching the lawyer to intervene."Lawyer, you're here! You need to save me from these wicked and idiotic people," Halland implored.Slap!"Seraphina

Ethan and Sophia stepped outside, opting for a leisurely stroll instead of driving. As they ambled down the street, they were unknowingly being shadowed by a tall, foreboding figure. This man, concealed and dangerous, kept a close eye on them, a hidden firearm ready for action. It was he who had been dispatched by Boss Lady after the initial team's failure to protect Ethan.He activated the earpiece in his ear and, after a brief pause, reported, "Boss Lady, young master and his girlfriend have just stepped out."Boss Lady's voice crackled in response, "Alright, do your job. Ensure their safety and stay vigilant. If you perceive any imminent threat, take appropriate action."The man acknowledged her instructions. "As you wish, boss." He clicked off the earpiece and continued to shadow Ethan and Sophia, his presence hidden from their view.Ethan and Sophia meandered down the charming streets of London on this tranquil evening. The city was aglow with the warm hues of street lamps, casti

"Puff!"As the old man delicately unveiled the inner sanctum of the second stone, a collective breath was held in anticipation. However, to the naked eye, there was no immediate sign of the coveted green hue. A wave of initial disappointment rippled through the onlooking crowd."Ah, too bad," muttered a voice from the back, disappointment dripping from the words. "Looks like he might not have the touch after all."Ethan himself felt a bit disappointed and same was Sophia. "He seemed so confident," another person whispered, shaking their head in mock sympathy. "Guess it's not as easy as it looks."Ethan's heart sank for a fraction of a second. The collective sighs of the crowd seemed to echo in his ears. But he wasn't ready to give up hope just yet, at least the third one could be luck. He was about to ask the old man to continue with the third but what happened was more shocking. As if to defy the odds, a so

On their way, Sophia cast a worried glance at Ethan, her concern etched in her eyes. "Hubby, that amount was substantial, it could have made you rich. Was it right to reject?" she inquired, her voice tinged with uncertainty.Ethan's smile was reassuring as he responded, "Believe me, they were trying to pull a trick. This isn't ordinary jade. The fact that it only reveals its shine after cutting and opening indicates that it's a valuable piece."Sophia absorbed his explanation and nodded thoughtfully. "So, what's our next step?" she queried.Ethan considered for a moment before offering a solution. "We'll just take a cab to one of the reputable dealers I've come across. It has received a lot of positive reviews, so we'll head there instead."Sophia's agreement came with a smile. "That sounds like a good plan."Ethan's gratitude was evident as he expressed, "Thanks for understanding. Let's go get some ice cream or anything you fancy first."Sophia's smile widenedAs they strolled furthe

Half an hour later, the cab that Ethan and Sophia had hailed came to a stop at their destination. Following the directions provided, they approached a grand and beautifully adorned house. The late hour added an air of quiet serenity to the surroundings, and Ethan instinctively drew Sophia close, wrapping his arm around her waist to offer a sense of security.As they reached the imposing black gate, a vigilant security guard stood sentinel. He inquired about their purpose, to which Ethan cleared his throat and politely explained, "Good evening, we're here to sell a jade.""Jade? Let me see," the security guard requested. Ethan complied, carefully presenting the jades for inspection.The guard nodded in approval before stating, "Alright, but I'll have to check you first."Ethan agreed without hesitation, allowing the security guard to conduct a thorough search to ensure he was not carrying any weapons. Once satisfied, the guard moved on to inspect Sophia. However, before he could procee