Melani still stood stiffly, her face a mix of guilt and confusion. Her fingertips clutched at Amelia's clothes, as if afraid of being left behind. Her voice was faint, almost inaudible in the room that had fallen silent again: "I, I should be thankful I can leave, but the others...?"Her gaze swept over the circle of fear trapping her friends. Marvella sat huddled on a corner of the sofa, shivering with swollen eyes. Others clung to each other, hoping not to be the next target. Faces once full of arrogance were now melted in panic.Amelia looked at them all, her annoying friends, but still her friends. She tugged gently on Jonathan's sleeve. "Bro, they're all my classmates. Can we help them too?" Her voice was soft, but filled with a sincere plea.Marvella, usually so arrogant, lifted her face, tears streaming uncontrollably. "B-Bro, please help us too." The word 'please,' which never left her lips, now sounded like a last whisper for life.Junius, with disheveled hair and a dust-cove

"Excuse me, Grandpa, could I take a look at that Blue and White bowl for a moment?"The old man's steps halted. He turned, his wrinkled eyes looking at Jonathan with curiosity and caution. He weighed the bowl in his hands for a moment, then slowly stepped closer. "Do you want to buy it, Son?" he asked, his voice heavy yet sincere. "If so, I must tell you first, the price is non-negotiable."Jonathan smiled warmly. "I just want to take a closer look. If it's as good as I think it is."Jonathan examined it more closely, and with his appraisal skills, he immediately said, "I'll pay 6 Million for it. How about that?"The old man's eyes widened. He took half a step back, as if he couldn't believe his ears. "S-six million?" he stammered. "Son, I'm just a villager. Just because I'm old and don't know the market price, don't try to trick me like this.""No, Grandpa!" Jonathan smiled broadly, meeting the old man's gaze without flinching. "I know exactly what I'm looking at. And I know this ite

Jonathan didn't laugh. He just shrugged and said calmly, "The antique world is harsh. Some are willing to deceive, others are willing to be deceived. But the biggest loser is the one who doesn't learn from their own foolishness."The shop owner felt deeply bitter, remembering that his family had been in the antique business for generations, yet in his own generation, he had been completely swindled. The more he thought about it, the more miserable he felt.Meanwhile, the old man had already boarded a bus, shaking his head and muttering to himself, "City life is full of deceit. I want to go back to the village. There, the worst I'll get cheated on is the price of chilies."On the other side.Amelia glanced back and felt a bit sorry for the shop owner. "I feel a little sorry for him, Bro. He looks like he's just been slapped in the face by reality."But Jonathan only gave a faint smile, his expression calm. "That's not pity, Mel. That's called Karma. He's been selling fake items to peop

After the minor incident at the hotel entrance, Jonathan's name was finally found on the VIP guest list. Even one of the security supervisors who arrived later bowed respectfully and ushered them in without another word. The guards who had looked down on them earlier could only bow their heads in silence, ashamed of their previous attitude.Upon arriving in the main hall, Jonathan turned and asked Amelia, "Are you tired? Do you want to rest?"Amelia quickly shook her head, her eyes shining. "Not at all, Brother. Actually, I really want to look around this place. I never even imagined I could come to a place this luxurious."Jonathan gently patted the top of his beloved sister's head and smiled. "Good. You should get used to it. Sooner or later, environments like this will be where you stand."Amelia didn't understand why Jonathan said that. "What do you mean, Brother?"But Jonathan just winked slowly, offering no answer. He stepped forward first, letting the question hang in the air.

"Jonathan!"The voice, full of rage, exploded from Yorgi's mouth. He stepped quickly, grabbing Jonathan's arm as he tried to leave. "Just who do you think you are, huh? Just because you have a little skill and managed to save Old Master Caresta, you think you're so great now?"Yorgi's eyes blazed with the fire of wounded pride. Behind him, Roselin stood with a contemptuous expression, arms folded across her chest."At best, you were probably just given a few coins as a thank you," Yorgi sneered. "You think with that you can challenge the Buana Family? You're not even worthy of being called our opponent!"Jonathan merely looked at Yorgi emotionlessly, his gaze flat yet piercing. Before he could respond, Roselin's voice quickly followed. "You heard him, didn't you?" she said sharply. "Next time you show up in the same place as me, I won't let you off as easily as today."Roselin's face hinted at a determination to humiliate Jonathan given a second chance. However, instead of being intim