The moment Donald calmly stated that the painting was worth one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, the hall reacted as though a fuse had been lit.Laughter erupted everywhere.It wasn’t polite laughter or mild amusement—it was loud, explosive, and merciless. Some people clapped their hands against their knees, others leaned back in their chairs, howling as if they had just heard the most ridiculous joke of the night. The sound rolled across the hall in waves, swallowing Donald whole.“Did he just say one hundred and fifty thousand?” someone shouted, barely able to breathe from laughing.“This is unbelievable!” another voice chimed in. “Does he think we’re children?”Jane laughed the loudest.She tilted her head back slightly, her lips curling with scorn as she looked straight at Donald. “That’s what desperation looks like,” she said, loud enough for those around her to hear. “He’d rather lie shamelessly than accept humiliation!”Jaxon crossed his arms smugly, shaking his head. “I

The single declaration from the young expert silenced the room. The words, “This painting isn’t worth less than $150,000,” hung in the air like a weighty confirmation, and suddenly, the laughter had vanished into uneasy murmurs. People’s eyes darted back and forth, whispering among themselves. Some were incredulous, trying to process the fact that the very same painting they had scoffed at had a price tag so significant. The whispers grew louder. “$150,000? Are you serious?” one guest muttered to a neighbor. Another shook his head, muttering, “I can’t believe it… he actually bought it for that amount?” Even the emcee, who had been struggling to maintain decorum during the earlier chaos, was now flustered. He adjusted the microphone, clearing his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen, it seems there has been a grave misunderstanding. We owe Mr. Smith an apology.” Leonard, who had been sitting front and center throughout the ordeal, stood and addressed the hall. His voice carrie

Leonard’s surprise deepened as he processed their words. “You’re asking me not to involve Ivy? You’re asking me to withhold any clarification or support that could smooth over your partnership?” His brow furrowed slightly.Jane and Jaxon exchanged a subtle glance.They had rehearsed this carefully in their minds, knowing that Leonard’s intervention could have a decisive impact, yet insisting on restraint for the moment. Jane’s voice broke the brief silence. “Yes,” she said, her tone measured. “We just need your support—financially, strategically—but Miss Harrington doesn’t need to know yet. It could complicate things further if she intervenes too soon.”Leonard blinked, taken aback by their insistence. He was fully aware of his capacity to act and to intervene immediately to clarify any misunderstandings and secure Jane’s partnership. Every part of him wanted to step in, to ensure the situation resolved smoothly. Yet here were Jane and Jaxon, deliberately restraining him from do

Melissa did not stop.Even as Donald turned away from her and began walking deeper into the mall, her sharp voice followed him like a thorn. She crossed her arms, heels clicking against the marble floor as she trailed behind him just enough to be heard.“Jane was really lucky,” Melissa sneered. “Lucky and wise to leave you when she did. Honestly, Donald, you’re the worst criminal I’ve ever come across.”Donald did not turn around. His face remained calm, unreadable, as though her words were nothing more than background noise.Melissa scoffed louder when he didn’t react. “Apart from raping someone and landing yourself in prison, you still had the nerve to crawl out and start sleeping with rich women for money. How shameless can one man be?”A few nearby shoppers slowed their steps. Some pretended not to listen, others openly glanced over, curiosity flickering in their eyes. Melissa clearly enjoyed the attention. Her voice rose slightly, to humiliate.“And look at you now,” she cont

“A thief!” Melissa declared loudly, folding her arms across her chest and lifting her chin with smug certainty. Her voice cut through the air like a blade. “That’s what he is. A thief who walked into a luxury mall to pick up things he can’t afford.”The word seemed to bounce off the polished walls.Heads turned fully now. People who had been pretending not to notice abandoned their act. A woman paused mid-step with a shopping bag dangling from her wrist and one man near the perfume stand leaned back slightly, eyes fixed on the counter.The quiet hum of the mall was replaced with curious eyes and voices.Behind the counter, the cashier stiffened. She was a middle-aged woman with neatly styled hair, her name badge pinned precisely to her chest. Years of professional courtesy had trained her face into a polite smile, but now that smile faltered. Her eyes moved quickly—from Donald, to the basket of expensive items, to Melissa’s sharp, accusing expression, and finally to the growing c