dhibooks Chapter 1238: Attending the Auction, Spending a Fortune
Chapter 1238: Attending the Auction, Spending a Fortune
Richard Shaw returned to the Imperial City on the same day by private jet. For the first time in years, he didn’t want to go to the military district or think about work. He instructed the driver to go straight to the Shaw Mansion.
The old lady was at home, the television in the living room was on with the volume low. A female announcer was broadcasting the day’s news. The old lady, with poor eyesight, mostly didn’t watch TV but listened to domestic and international news, a habit cultivated over many years.
Behind the few words reported in the news, there might just be the silhouette of her grandson.
Richard Shaw entered the living room, walked up to the old lady, said he was back, and was about to go upstairs to the study.
The old lady saw him return alone and immediately called out in surprise: "Did you leave the little one in South Asia?"
The man paused slightly on the stairs, steadied himself, turned his head, nodded lightly, and said, "Let him stay with Leah."
"Why didn’t you bring both the mother and son back? You... sometimes you just save face and suffer. You don’t know how to coax people." The old lady sighed lowly, knowing how stubborn her grandson could be.
Richard Shaw didn’t speak, went upstairs to the study, and sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the deep autumn courtyard under the century-old ginkgo tree, covered with golden hues, exuding the elegance of autumn.
He just couldn’t bear to see Leah sad and couldn’t force her to make a choice. The two of them now are like two hedgehogs, trying to get close for warmth but destined to be covered in wounds.
Perhaps staying away from him is the best love.
The man pressed his tightly furrowed brow, didn’t get up until dusk fell and the light dimmed, ate dinner, and then went to the military district to work overtime. Now everything was ready, and the plan to overturn the case was inevitable.
Richard Shaw couldn’t hide the fact that he sent his son to South Asia, spent a night there, and then returned to the Imperial City from Griffith Squire.
During Leah’s absence, Griffith Squire stayed in Brocade City to take care of Aurora Coldwell. The case in the Imperial City needed an opportunity to unfold, and now the time had finally come, but Leah had left her responsibilities, causing Griffith Squire to become extremely depressed, and even the elite circle in Brocade City became cautious, afraid to provoke him.
If people had previously underestimated the future son-in-law of the Coldwell Family, after the earlier city lockdown and cooperation with the Southwest Military Zone to clear the borders, everyone finally woke up. No wonder the Seymour Family suffered in silence, and no wonder Director Fang didn’t dare intervene.
The things Griffith Squire did couldn’t be accomplished by all the families in Brocade City combined, and the Coldwell Family was foolish to let such a person become a son-in-law. They would be smart to thank their lucky stars for the connection instead of bringing him in, lest they get carried away.
All at once, people were both jealous and resentful. With a figure like him, even if the Coldwell Family only had two daughters and no sons, they could still be rich for three generations.
Ian Coldwell had been glowing with pride lately, urging Aurora Coldwell to register her marriage with Griffith Squire as soon as possible. Such a son-in-law with background and good relations with the military couldn’t be missed. Fortunately, Ian didn’t know Griffith Squire’s details; if he knew the son-in-law was going to go against the Army Major General of the Central Military Region, he might pack up and flee the country.
With Leah’s return, Griffith Squire’s gloomy mood over the past several months had finally improved. Seeing Aurora Coldwell staying home since her recovery without going anywhere, he feared she’d get bored and planned to take her to the well-known autumn auction in Brocade City, ready to spend lavishly.
Brocade City, as a Southwest Ancient City, has many carried-on traditions, and the annual spring and autumn auctions are grand events, with the autumn auction being particularly ceremonious.
The autumn auction lasts for a week, during which experts from home and abroad gather in Brocade City to sell or purchase their desired items. Almost anything imaginable is up for auction.
Many people come here to try their luck; whether they have money or not, they like to be part of the excitement.
The auction organizer is also of substantial background; otherwise, they couldn’t hold down the scene. It’s said the organizer has deep roots in the Imperial City, with the mysterious boss known as Mr. Ji, whose identity and background are enigmatic.
Mr. Ji’s auction houses are spread domestically and internationally, and the one in Brocade City is a branch, not to be underestimated in influence.
"Go to the auction?" Aurora Coldwell put down her paintbrush and looked at Griffith Squire with some surprise.
The man stood in the courtyard in a simple white shirt and trousers, the legs perfectly straight, showcasing an incredible physique. The collar of the shirt was unbuttoned slightly, revealing a slender neck and a hint of collarbone, emitting a touch of allure.
"Today is the seventh day of the auction. I’m invited by the officials to have a look, so I’ll take you along to see if there’s anything suitable for you." Griffith Squire smiled leisurely. Seeing Aurora Coldwell staring unblinkingly at his white shirt, there was a hint of pride at the corners of his lips.
Indeed, women love these refined faces. Griffith Squire previously would never wear a white shirt. Instead, he preferred a sleeveless vest with camouflage pants, tightly tied trouser legs, always ready to draw a gun or knife. He wouldn’t wear cumbersome trousers.
But now, having turned over a new leaf as a legitimate businessman, keeping up with the times, occasionally being a gentleman wasn’t bad. The man flashed a gentlemanly charming smile, neither sinister nor mocking, just dignified and gentle.
Aurora Coldwell nodded and continued her painting, indicating her agreement.
Griffith Squire looked at her slender figure, squinting slightly. Her post-recovery from the medication allergy was complete, but her complexion was pale from not seeing sunlight for a long time. Even though she could speak, she seldom talked, never saying a word to outsiders except for him and the old butler.
The fact that she can speak is still unknown to the outside world.
It seems that she needs more exposure to the outside world; she can’t become more reclusive because of the last incident.
In the afternoon, Griffith Squire dressed sharply and took the young girl to the auction.
In the late autumn of Brocade City, there was already a hint of winter chill. The man placed a red woolen knitted hat on her, making her look like a storybook Little Red Riding Hood. Unable to resist, he held her hand, saying seductively, "You’ve just been discharged from the hospital, I’ll hold your hand as we walk."
Aurora Coldwell, who had been out of the hospital for two months: "?!"
Still, the young girl didn’t struggle, obediently letting him hold her hand. In a looming consciousness, she thought she might die from a medication allergy in the enclosed carriage. Later, she saw the light, heard Griffith Squire’s voice, and upon awakening, the man was by her bedside, holding her hand tightly. From that moment, she knew she couldn’t escape.
Yet, this kind of affection couldn’t be articulated. He was too formidable, while she was too weak, always a burden to him.
She had considered as long as he hadn’t found true love, she would stay by his side, gradually becoming independent and self-reliant.
However, since the incident, her life was under tight control; leaving the house required Griffith Squire’s company, cold weather needing more clothes, prohibitions on eating fruits during her period—he had meddled in all sorts of trivial matters!
Achieving independence and self-reliance is really difficult.