Chapter 461
But let’s be absolutely clear. Once this transaction is complete, you and Celeste are to sever all ties p>
“That goes without saying p>
Hearing his confirmation, Helena beamed even brighter. She patted Celeste’s hand affectionately. “You really do have a wonderful eye for these things. If you hadn’t introduced us, I never would have stumbled upon such a golden opportunity p>
Celeste smiled, her voice dripping with sweetness. “You flatter me, Helena. I simply know a few people in the right circles and wanted to connect them with you p>
Helena declared, “I forbid you from playing matchmaker for anyone else from now on. If there are treasures like this, bring them straight to me. I’ll buy them all p>
“Don’t worry, you are always the first person I think of. You’re the only one truly worthy of them p>
Helena was in phenomenally high spirits today. She pulled out her platinum card, gesturing for one of her bodyguards in the corner to follow the man to settle the payment.
But the unfamiliar man’s voice remained steady and restrained as he spoke, his words perfectly calculated to exploit the psychology of a woman obsessed with shopping.
“Mrs. Sterling, this particular piece cannot be sold so casually. When my grandfather acquired it years ago, he insisted that only someone who truly understood its artistic soul deserved to possess it.
Seeing you today, I believe it has finally found its rightful master p>
Helena couldn’t stop smiling, her eyes utterly glued to the dazzling gemstone sparkling in the display case.
Then, the man’s tone shifted smoothly. “However, I do not accept public auction bids, nor do I deal strictly in cash.
These are family relics. It would be highly inconvenient to flaunt them publicly, as I risk drawing the ire of my overseas relatives.
Cash depreciates unpredictably, but timeless treasures hold their true worth. Therefore, I only deal with genuine collectors who cherish fine gems. I operate strictly on a barter system—trading one masterpiece for another of equal value, with any difference settled in cash. That is my only condition p>
Helena was suddenly caught in a dilemma.
The gemstone was indeed priceless, exactly the piece missing from her prized collection.
But she couldn’t just write a check for it? She had to trade jewelry of equal value?
Every single piece in her vault had been painstakingly handpicked. She couldn’t bear to part with any of them.
Noticing her hesitation, Celeste immediately leaned in, her voice soft and persuasive.
“Helena, this really is the chance of a lifetime. A royal exclusive like this can’t be bought with mere money.
Tristan is only willing to transfer it privately because he trusts me.
You have the most impeccable taste. Only someone worthy of it can accept such a blessing p>
When Helena still didn’t speak, Celeste maneuvered her wheelchair closer, whispering softly into her ear.
“Don’t you have a few idle pieces in your collection? Trading them for a supremte museum-grade treasure like this is an absolute steal.
Once you secure it, you’ll be the sole owner in the entire world p>
That final sentence thoroughly shattered whatever shreds of logic Helena had left.
She immediately beckoned her bodyguard over, whispering a few sharp instructions. The guard nodded, turned, and strode out the door.
Barely forty minutes later, the bodyguard returned, carrying a velvet-lined lockbox.
He opened the box, placed it in the center of the mahogany table, and slid it toward the unfamiliar man.
Standing from her vantage point, Sienna could see the contents of the box with crystal clarity.
It was a stunning necklace, featuring a blue sapphire the size of a pigeon’s egg as its centerpiece.
Surrounded by a halo of crushed diamonds, it refracted a mesmerizing, deep azure glow under the ambient light.
Sienna’s breath hitched slightly.
She had seen that necklace before. It was the crown jewel of Helena’s private vault.
The legendary heirloom passed down to her by the Sterling family matriarch.
Helena cherished it so deeply she never dared wear it. She kept it locked away in a top-tier safe, only taking it out for a brief glimpse on major holidays.
And now, here it sat, casually displayed on a velvet cloth alongside a few of her other prized pieces.
An emerald bangle, a ruby brooch, and a pair of vintage emerald drop earrings.
Sienna was genuinely stunned.
Helena was actually going to trade all of these authentic world-class jewels just to get her hands on the necklace in the display case?