Sean grinned. âMiss, youâre truly wise. Iâve been monitoring the Gardner family these past few days, and I have indeed found some progress.
Alyssa smiled. âAs expected, without Jasperâs help, the Gardner family can only find ways to raise money to cover their losses. But I thought they would sell their houses and land. I didnât expect them to sell only their jewelry.
âHmm, it seems they can still afford it with their vast fortune. Burning their last bit of money slowly so they could hold out as long as they could. It is more satisfying to see them suffer than dealing them one direct blow.â
Sean coldly snorted. âThis is karma for the Gardner family!â
Alyssa didnât say anything more. She casually flipped through the pawnshop records.
Hardly anyone knew that the Taylor family owned two large, wellâestablished pawnshops in Cassadia and Bellbanks. Since Winston liked collecting antiques, and rare treasures, he secretly opened these pawnshops to acquire the unexpected and precious items that people sought but couldnât find.
He had made a fortune relying on the pawnshops in recent years, as very few people who entered the shops managed to redeem their pawned items.
Suddenly, something caught her eyes, and her hands trembled. She came across an item named âCrimson Heartâ on the list. She tried to calm the surging emotions inside as a mixture of irony and resentment flashed through her red eyes.
This was the token of love that Jasper painstakingly gave to Liana. When she first saw him gazing at this pendant under the lamplight two years ago, she fell deeply in love with it.
At that time, she dreamt that the necklace belonged to her. She wanted Jasper to give her gifts, even if they werenât as precious. Even a simple stone would have made her happy. But those were merely wishful thinking.
Jasper only gave gifts to the one he loved. Since he didnât love her, she wasnât even worthy of a simple stone. And now, Liana had sold off his token of love. The more Alyssa looked at it, the more she found it laughable, but her teary eyes had a glint of bitterness.
âI really want to see how Jasper would react when he finds out,â she muttered.
âWhat did you say?â Sean didnât catch her murmured words.
âThe Gardner family doesnât know its true worth. This necklace starts at eight digits. They sold it for only seven million. Weâre the ones profiting,â Alyssa put on a sneering smile. Her face was tinged with mischief.
At that moment, her phone rang. It was Jonah.
âJonah!â Alyssa composed herself, her voice sweet like honey.
âLyse, how have you been lately? Are you tired? Do you need my help with anything?â Jonah asked, his voice full of concern.
âIâm fine. You, on the other hand, shouldnât overwork yourself. Take care of your health,â Alyssa replied.
After chatting for a while, Jonah said, âThereâs a charity auction this weekend. Can you represent me and attend? Dad is adamant about getting the Antique Rosewood Chair. The budget is within one billion. But I have to go to church to lecture this weekend, so could I trouble you to secure that antique for me?â
âMe? Who should I attend it as? The girlfriend of the president of the KS Group?â Alyssa teased him, taking a bite of chocolate.
âThat works,â Jonah chuckled. âAs long as you go, you can be whoever you want. Or you can say youâre related to the Taylor family.â
Alyssa chewed on the chocolate and nodded. âAlright then, Iâll go. But with just one billion in the budget, what if I also find something I like?â
âJust bid for it, and Iâll reimburse you. However, remember the Taylor familyâs rules. Once we join an auction, we must win. We canât leave others any chance,â Jonah reminded her.
âI know. Dad taught us to pave our own path and leave others with no way out!â Alyssa said, cracking her knuckles playfully.
âWishing you good luck, Lyse. Donât forget the Antique Rosewood Chair,â Jonah said before hanging up.auction? But isnât it a bit rushed to prepare everything now?â
âWe will bring something, and Iâve already prepared everything.â Alyssaâs lips curved into a sly smile, and there was a cunning glint in her eyes.