A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

"Oh? Are you certain?" Seraphina Sterling watched the increasingly furious Michelle Galloway, her brilliant eyes flashing with a startling light.

"I grew up surrounded by these antiques. I’m the one who understands their value best, so what I say is absolutely correct! Not only is this Purple Clay Teapot the most expensive item here, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a more valuable antique in all of Sanford!"

Michelle Galloway was now in direct confrontation with Seraphina Sterling, venting all the frustration from her earlier encounter with Simon on her. She didn’t dare provoke Simon, but Seraphina Sterling was a different story. In Michelle Galloway’s eyes, Seraphina was just a high school student from some remote town. She was a classic bully—preying on the weak and fearing the strong.

"I wonder, is that your personal opinion, Galloway, or is it the opinion of the appraiser at Serenity Antiques?" Seraphina Sterling didn’t get angry. ’She had more self-control than that.’

Michelle Galloway, thinking Seraphina was questioning her expertise, answered firmly, "It’s the opinion of the appraiser at Serenity Antiques, and it’s my opinion too! And we’re not the only ones. There are countless antique shops in Sanford. Pick any owner, and I guarantee their opinion will be the same as mine! If you really don’t believe me, the appraiser from Serenity Antiques is right here. You can go ask for his professional opinion!"

Miles Galloway mentally applauded his daughter. ’This way, our antique shop can be openly presented to the public, right in this news story!’

"If you have any questions, Simon, you can also consult our appraiser!" Michelle Galloway shot a glance at Simon, who had been unusually quiet since Seraphina’s arrival. Her tone, however, was a world away from the one she used with Seraphina—it was infinitely more pleasant.

"Questions?" Simon raised an eyebrow. "I don’t have any. I’m just marveling at the fact that Apex is a country that enjoys collecting shabby old things. If anyone has questions, it should be Sterling!"

Simon glanced at Seraphina Sterling, his deep eyes flashing with an unreadable light. She was just a student of seventeen or eighteen, yet among all the people present, not a single one could see through her.

The crowd grew even more bewildered. ’What in the world is going on? Why are the students from Apex fighting among themselves? Shouldn’t they be presenting a united front against outsiders? No matter how big your internal conflicts are, you’re supposed to solve them behind closed doors! Are they trying to make a fool of themselves in public?’

Facing the crowd’s doubtful gazes, Seraphina Sterling simply smiled faintly. "It’s true that I have questions. The only reason Simon has this mistaken impression of Apex is that Michelle Galloway has gotten a few things wrong. There’s no need for everyone to be so nervous and serious!"

The crowd nearly broke out in a cold sweat.

’Not nervous?’

’Not serious?’

’Are you kidding me? Have you seen what’s happening? We don’t have your nerves of steel! The supervising teacher from Country M was just about to lose it! One wrong move and this entire exchange program could be canceled. How could we *not* be nervous?’

Michelle Galloway wasn’t thinking about any of that. All she heard was Seraphina Sterling saying she had made a mistake. She was already seething, and seeing Seraphina so casually point out her supposed error made her erupt.

"Seraphina Sterling! You’ve had more than enough time in the spotlight! I suggest you think carefully before you speak again! Don’t stand here spouting nonsense just to show off! I guarantee my explanation was flawless! I’m a professional when it comes to antique appraisal; my judgment is better than that of most ordinary appraisers! I’d love to know what this ’mistake’ you’re talking about is. Since the appraiser from Serenity Antiques happens to be here, we’ll have a judge!"