A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Simon shrugged nonchalantly. He was here to stir up trouble, and though they had already explained things so clearly, there was no point harping on this specific issue. Of course, that didn’t mean he was going to let Apex off the hook so easily!

"Director Lowell, I am not at all pleased with this special arrangement of yours! Our time is extremely valuable, yet we’ve wasted nearly the entire afternoon on this Purple Clay Teapot. And now Mr. Galloway claims this was all just a bet? This makes me seriously doubt how much your country values this exchange! Or perhaps in your country’s eyes, this entire cultural exchange is nothing but a game?"

One crisis had just been averted, and Simon had already dropped another bombshell.

This time, Director Lowell’s expression grew even darker. He shot a sharp glance at Quentin Marshall. ’What in the world is going on? Why was I not informed about this beforehand?’

Quentin Marshall felt like a man forced to swallow bitter medicine without being able to complain—he had to suffer in silence. He hadn’t known anything about this either! He had simply delegated the event’s organization to Miles Galloway and was unaware of all the other details, to say nothing of a bet!

In order to protect the reputation of Serenity Antiques, Miles Galloway had dragged him into this mess. Quentin couldn’t deny it in public, so he’d had to bite the bullet and agree. Now that Simon had brought it up again, he was caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to explain yet unable to stay silent. No matter what he did, he was bound to be the one who got blamed!

Simon’s deep blue eyes were incredibly perceptive; he was an excellent judge of character. He could tell at a glance that there was something fishy going on.

"Or perhaps," Simon continued, "that was just Mr. Galloway talking off the top of his head. There was never any bet to begin with—it was just something he made up on the spot to save the reputation of Serenity Antiques!"

Miles Galloway was already upset about being ignored by Seraphina Sterling. In all his time in Sanford, no one had ever disrespected him so blatantly! The shock was hard for him to stomach. Now, hearing Simon’s theory, he felt a fire of rage ignite within him. He had just barely managed to smooth the whole thing over, and now Simon had dragged it all back out, pushing him right into the eye of the storm!

"Of course I wasn’t just making things up! Principal Marshall knew about it too! Besides," he added, "how could a reputable shop as large as Serenity Antiques, with so many deeply experienced Antique Appraisers, all make such a rookie mistake? How could every single one of us have misjudged it and bought a high-quality replica!"

Miles Galloway chuckled, his expression perfectly composed. You couldn’t see the slightest hint of a guilty conscience on his face.

"Oh? So that means your country truly doesn’t take this exchange seriously at all! To make a bet over something like this!" Simon’s smile grew even more brilliant. He had guessed Miles Galloway would say that. After all, Galloway wasn’t the event organizer or a school administrator—he was just a businessman. And for a businessman, nothing is more important than profit.

Miles Galloway hadn’t considered what impact his answer would have on Apex’s reputation; his only concern was for his Serenity Antiques.

Director Lowell looked sternly at Quentin Marshall. "What exactly is going on? If this is true, for you, as the event host, to act with such indiscretion... I will have no choice but to question your competence as principal!"

Director Lowell was also threatening Quentin Marshall, using his position and his future as leverage. True or not, Quentin Marshall had to deny it; otherwise, his job was on the line.

Quentin Marshall was practically frantic. If he denied it, he would offend the Galloway Family. He was related to them, no matter how distantly, and the Galloways were an influential family in Sanford. If he angered them, his life would become very difficult.

But if he didn’t deny it, he would offend Director Lowell from Aethelgard. He had worked so hard to become the principal in Sanford; if he were to be dismissed just like that, his whole future would be ruined!

Everyone was waiting for Quentin Marshall’s answer. All eyes were on him, and each gaze felt like a burning flame, scorching his heart.

Crystal Marshall saw that the heat was now on her father, but she was completely helpless. She subconsciously glanced toward Seraphina Sterling. ’If it were one of her loved ones being blamed right now, what would she do?’ she wondered.

Michelle Galloway was even more worried. She knew perfectly well there had been no bet. If the principal denied it, Serenity Antiques would truly be ruined this time. And worse, they would have brought it all on themselves!

"Director Lowell, I was thoughtless. I never should have made a bet with Mr. Galloway during such an important exchange!" Quentin Marshall said with a look of deep regret. After a long internal battle, he had finally made his choice.

Director Lowell’s face went as black as the bottom of a pot. He deeply regretted handing this matter to Quentin Marshall, who had managed to cause such a colossal screw-up!

"Director Lowell, is this Apex’s attitude toward this exchange? We came to your country with great enthusiasm to study the traditional culture of Apex. Is this how you repay our passion?"

Simon’s expression turned grave. His icy stare and level tone created a palpable tension, the feeling of a storm about to break.

The matter had escalated to the level of an international incident. A solemn atmosphere slowly spread through the hall. Everyone held their breath, not daring to make a sound, afraid they might somehow make the tense situation even worse.

No one had anticipated that things would escalate to this point.

Seraphina Sterling let out a soft, inward sigh. ’It’s finally time for me to take the stage.’