Twenty eight minutes later, Lady Kyra Sedgwick and Marine were still inside the antique shop, sitting and waiting. The shop was quiet. The only sound was the soft ticking of clocks on the shelves.Kyra looked down at her watch. Marine checked her watch too. Marine sighed and said, “Are we still supposed to wait? Because it has been more than 25 minutes and nothing has happened. If something was supposed to happen, it should have happened by now.”Kyra let out a long breath. “That is right,” she said. “I cannot believe we just wasted our time believing a random stranger.”They both stood up. They walked out of the shop together and headed toward the car that was parked in front. They took only a few steps on the sidewalk. Then there was a loud BOOM. The car exploded. Fire and smoke shot into the air. Glass flew everywhere. People screamed and ran.Kyra and Marine fell to the ground and covered their heads. When the noise stopped, they slowly got up. Their hearts were beating f

Grandpa Sedgwick slammed his cane against the marble floor. The sound echoed through the hall. "What is this madness?" "Who is this guy? I have never heard of him before."Prince Frederick stepped forward, eyes narrowing as he stared at John. He looked closely. "Is this not that idiot who got lucky at the Jade stone appraisal store?" he sneered. Then louder, for everyone to hear: "John is nobody. Just trash trying to cling to the Kyra family."Kyra’s jaw tightened. "Watch how you speak about my boyfriend," she warned, moving to stand beside John and lacing her fingers with his.Her grandpa’s face went red. "Stop this madness. Both of you!" "Today you are about to be engaged to Mr John Valerio. The man who saved your Grandmother's life. We don't have time for this."The room went silent. Servants, guests, even the guards looked down. Kyra lifted her chin. "No. I won't marry him." "John DiCaprio here is my boyfriend. He is the one I choose." "I refuse to be forced to marry a to

Grandpa Sedgwick looked at John and spoke in a calm voice. "Young man. Being poor is not the problem. Back in my days I was a poor boy too. But I worked my way up, step by step, with my own hands. What I cannot accept is constant lying, and a character I cannot trust. Kyra, I cannot allow you to be with someone like that. He is looking for quick money. He does not want to build himself up the right way."John pressed his hands together and bowed slightly. "Sir. Everything I said is true. If you do not believe me, please send someone to check what happened with the child."Frederick gave a cold laugh. "Check? There were no cameras there. Looks like you planned all of this, didn't you?" He crossed his arms and looked away.John glanced at him and shook his head. He did not argue.Kyra stepped forward. Her voice shook, but it was firm. "Grandpa, please believe John. He is my boyfriend. He is not lying. If you insult him, it feels like you are insulting me too."

Mr. Kendrick stopped a few meters before Grandpa Sedgwick. He put his two hands together respectfully and said, "Please welcome me to your joyous birthday celebration, Master Sedgwick."The moment he said it, the entire hall seemed to change.Grandpa Sedgwick stood up immediately. His angry face was gone. He had a wide, respectful smile now."Mr. Kendrick! Your presence here is truly a great honor! I never expected a man of your status to come to my humble birthday!"Mr. Kendrick smiled lightly."Master Sedgwick, you are too modest. A man like you deserves respect."Behind them, the guests were already whispering.Harold turned quickly to Marcus and whispered, "The great Master Kendrick of Salt City, attending the birthday celebration of the Sedgwick family! This gives this family great recognition!"Marcus replied, nodding with excitement, "That's right. I heard he is a master in the antique business. That is what has contributed to almost thirty percent of his net worth. He is a

Frederick held his cheek, his eyes wide in disbelief."Why? Why did you slap me, Mr. Kendrick?" he stammered.Mr. Kendrick’s face was ice cold. His voice was low but shaking with anger."That is a light punishment! You, Frederick, actually dared right in front of me to take credit for someone else’s work and lied to me? In my face? Do you know who I am? You think I am a fool you can play with? I will eliminate you for this!"Frederick was frightened. His legs started to tremble. His proud smile from just seconds ago was completely gone.Mr. Kendrick turned to everyone in the hall, his voice booming."The guy who saved my grandson is JOHN! The guy who is standing with Kyra! It was him!"Kyra was shocked to hear it. Her mouth opened slightly. Everyone else was shocked too. Whispers exploded.John just smiled. Finally.Mr. Kendrick approached John. His angry face softened immediately. He looked at John with deep respect."You must be John, right?" he asked gently.John replied, "Yes, sir