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Chapter 52: Who Are You, Really?
Adrian’s calm barely wavered, but it terrified Serena Hill.Archie Nolan wouldn’t lay a hand on her, but if Adrian fell here, how could she ever face Daisy? The guilt would follow her for life. Adrian had saved her, and now she might have dragged him to his death.“Have you truly no regard for law or consequence?”Kendall Mitchell gave a derisive laugh. “Save your breath, Miss Serena. He offended Mr. Nolan. Even if the head of your Hill family showed up, it wouldn’t change a thing.”Serena fell silent. Kendall wasn’t wrong. Even her brother couldn’t stop what was coming—he might even haul her to the Nolans to apologize.Adrian noticed her unease and patted her shoulder. “Auntie, don’t be sorry. I told you—they can’t touch me. Stand back, enjoy the show, and keep yourself safe.”“But—”She didn’t finish. Archie cut in coolly, “Miss Hill, step aside. Fists don’t have eyes, and I’d hate for you to get hurt.”At his gesture, the academy’s disciples rushed forward. Adrian pushed Serena beh
Chapter 51: Then I’ll Oblige You
“This is your fault! If you hadn’t stopped me, that thing wouldn’t be in his hands!”Archie Nolan’s sudden accusation left Kendall Mitchell stung. She’d only wanted to keep Archie from being duped by Adrian. How could she have known that herb was a treasure?“Mr. Nolan, don’t be angry. He may not sell it. When the auction’s over, we can take it back.”“An ordinary man is no match for our academy.”Archie considered it. True enough. He didn’t believe Adrian would flip it right away.“It better be.”He glared at Adrian with a murderous heat, desperate to snatch it now—and then kill the boy.“Don’t waste your breath,” Adrian said. “I’m not selling this Paris polyphylla.”A collective sigh of regret drifted through the room.But Archie calmed. If Adrian wouldn’t sell, that made things simpler.The others, however unwilling, could do nothing. A man can’t be forced to part with what he won’t sell.Serena Hill’s composure, by contrast, gave way to bright excitement. “You recognized its worth
Chapter 50: The True Treasure
“Yeah—and he spent a woman’s money to do it.”Kendall Mitchell chimed in at once, and Archie Nolan’s spirits lifted.“A kept, penniless brat. Trying to go toe-to-toe with me? Laughable.”Kendall nodded, letting his disdain show. “Hmph. Couldn’t even put up two million.”Serena Hill rarely cared what outsiders thought, but this was too much.“Adrian is not some pretty freeloader.”Her gaze cut coldly across Archie Nolan and Kendall Mitchell. “I promised Adrian a gift. I chose to pay for it. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”Seeing Serena angered, Archie’s tone turned instantly ingratiating. “Please don’t misunderstand, Miss Hill. I didn’t mean you. I just think this young gigolo is playing you. No herb is worth two million. And Paris polyphylla isn’t rare.”“That’s right, Miss Hill,” Kendall added, full of righteous indignation on her behalf. “It’s clearly something he wants, yet he made you foot the bill. If it were anything else, fine—but Paris polyphylla is just a weed. He’s m
Chapter 49: Seven-Leaf One-Flower
On stage, a woman in classical dress carried a silver tray. A swath of red velvet draped over it, half-concealing what lay beneath.As the camera closed in, a smile slowly deepened at the corner of Adrian’s mouth. That’s it. No mistake.Down below, most of the audience wore politely indifferent expressions.They were, after all, people of means—happy to fuss over antiques and calligraphy, but a medicinal herb? Hardly worth a second glance.To them, it was just a plant.A few who knew a little more whispered among themselves.“Anything that makes it into an auction should be rare. But if I’m not mistaken, isn’t that Paris polyphylla?”“Exactly. Paris polyphylla isn’t remotely hard to come by. What’s the point of putting that up?”“The organizers must be out of their minds.”“Or drunk. Think we’re that easy to fool.”“In some places it’s everywhere. A few years back I went hiking—took a handful of steps off the path and saw one right away.”“Forget it. Let’s wait for the next lot.”Thei
Chapter 48: The Auction
On the second floor, the auction hall.After Serena and Adrian found their seats, they spotted Archie Nolan and Kendall Mitchell not far away.Adrian gave them a needling smile, then looked away, leaving the pair glowering, faces tight with resentment.Quietly, Serena said, "Aside from that herb, if anything else catches your eye, just buy it.""That would be spending your money rather recklessly."Serena only smiled. "Money is external. We don’t take it with us when we go.""When I was ill, I used to think—if I died with my accounts still full, what a waste that would be.""Now that I’m well, I intend to enjoy life properly. Money is trivial. Happiness isn’t."In her darkest moments, she had turned life and death over and over in her mind, only to find that no amount of brooding changed a thing.So why not live as comfortably as possible?Now that she had time, she wouldn’t shortchange herself.Adrian paused at her openness. Even he couldn’t claim such ease with the world.Perhaps on
Chapter 47: The Three Great Dojos
Archie Nolan might as well have had I don’t need money stamped across his forehead. Adrian was speechless; he hadn’t imagined he’d run into something this absurd."I thought you were merely dim," he said evenly. "I was mistaken. You’re not just brainless—you’re tedious and vulgar."Rage shot through Archie; he looked ready to tear Adrian apart."Watch your mouth, kid!""And why would I want your approval?"Archie’s fists clenched. He could see it now—Adrian was insulting him outright, and couldn’t be bothered to take him seriously.He’d been treated like a prodigy his entire life. Who didn’t fawn over him?And who was Adrian to talk to him this way?That was it. He was furious.Serena Hill didn’t think Archie’s status was anything remarkable—but he was a martial artist. Those fists were the size of hammers. She glanced at Adrian, worry flickering in her eyes.Archie, seeing that look, twisted it into something else entirely—he read devotion there, soft and radiant."Mr. Nolan is not s
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