Chapter 115
Chapter 115:
Today was reserved for picking up the porcelain vase. Victor had mentioned that the owner was paying far beyond its actual value — if the restoration succeeded, she would receive two million in return. Fixing antiques had always brought Kristine quiet satisfaction, and earning money never failed to please her either.
At the first large intersection, the car slowed to a stop.
Leaning out slightly, Claire asked, “Ms. Green, will you be back home for lunch p>
“No,” Kristine replied flatly.
She couldn’t stand staying at Colton’s villa. If it were not for her plan to get back at Elyse, she would have left Gridron long ago.
Tho𝘶𝘴a𝗇𝘥s 𝗼𝗳 re𝗮𝘥e𝗿𝗌 𝗼𝗇 𝗀𝗮𝗹ո𝘰vе𝘭𝘴.cо𝗆
“I understand.” Claire shut the door with care, and the car rolled gradually away.
Only after it vanished from sight did Kristine flag down a taxi and give the driver the address Victor had sent her.
The destination turned out to be a quiet café. As soon as she stepped inside, the rich scent of coffee filled the air.
“This way, please,” a server said, guiding her toward a private room.
Taking a seat, Kristine looked around at her leisure. Warm lighting and vintage details gave the room a refined charm, and antiques occupied nearly every corner, each bearing unmistakable signs of age and history. Whoever owned this café was clearly wealthy, and their taste showed in every detail.
That realization only deepened her curiosity about the person behind the vase.
Without warning, a soft rolling sound echoed from the hallway, steady and unmistakable. Moments later, three people entered the private room.
Recognition hit instantly when Kristine saw Asher seated in a wheelchair, and her gaze sharpened.
A spark of recognition flashed in Asher’s eyes as well. “So you are the conservator my grandfather has been talking about p>
“Your grandfather?” Kristine repeated.
The client who had entrusted Victor with the restoration turned out to be Asher’s grandfather. That explained the generous payment without question.
Kristine’s attention shifted past Asher. Standing behind him were his bodyguard and Tripp, the bodyguard carefully holding a box that could only contain the vase.
Interest lit Kristine’s eyes. “That box — is the vase inside p>
“It is,” Asher confirmed.
“Then may I see it now p>
With a small nod from Asher, the bodyguard placed the box on the table and lifted the lid.
Inside lay a porcelain vase broken into several large fragments. Victor had not exaggerated when he described it. From a market standpoint, the piece held little value — at most, a few tens of thousands.
Kristine glanced at Asher. “Two million for restoration alone feels excessive, does it not p>
A faint smile touched Asher’s lips. “That vase was a wedding gift to my grandmother from her parents. Its market price means nothing to her. To our family, it is irreplaceable. If money mattered more, my grandfather would not have gone to such lengths to find the right person p>
“I just did not expect that p>
“Expect what p>