To be precise, it wasn’t the Hale Family from Aethelgard, but Justin Hale’s fiancée—Ian Faulkner!

In her past life, Justin Hale had been engaged to a young miss from Aethelgard’s Faulkner Family before marrying her. It was only after meeting Seraphina that he broke off the engagement with Ian Faulkner. At the time, she had been so moved that she married Justin Hale not long after. She even took his advice and handed the entire Sterling Family over to Faye Sterling’s family! This left her with nothing in the end, unable to even protect her own child!

But why was Ian Faulkner here? In her memory, Ian Faulkner had never once set foot in Tollan Town! The Faulkner Family wasn’t in the jade business, either!

As she mulled this over, Ian Faulkner had already arrived in front of Seraphina Sterling, her attitude imperious. "Sixty thousand! I pay, you hand it over!"

Seraphina Sterling snapped back to reality, an apologetic look on her face. "I’m terribly sorry, but this raw stone isn’t actually mine. I’m just running an errand for someone. In fact, this melon-green jadeite already has an owner!"

What had seemed like a sure thing had unexpectedly turned out like this. Ian Faulkner’s expression turned exceedingly dark. "Seventy thousand! That’s already an astronomical price for this melon-green jadeite!"

But Seraphina Sterling simply shook her head. "I’m sorry, I can’t make that decision."

"You don’t know what’s good for you!" Ian Faulkner fumed, shooting Seraphina Sterling a look dripping with scorn. "Who is your boss? I’ll talk to him myself! Talking to a nobody like you is pointless!"

Nearby, Summer and Mindy Linton grew anxious. They knew perfectly well that Seraphina had bought the stone with her own money—what boss could she possibly have? This woman was obviously hostile and incredibly aggressive. How was Seraphina going to handle her?

"Ian Faulkner, quite the display you’re putting on." At some point, Terrence Grant had come down from the second floor.

"Mr. Grant! I never expected to run into you in a small place like this. What a coincidence! Are you here at the stone exposition for jade as well?"

Ian Faulkner suppressed her shock. She had known before coming that Terrence Grant was in charge of the Grant Family’s resort project, but she never imagined she would run into the Grant Family’s Demon King of Chaos on her very first day in Tollan Town!

Seraphina Sterling froze. ’Could it be that people don’t know Terrence Grant is the organizer of this stone exposition? How did he manage that?’

Seraphina Sterling’s look of astonishment was not lost on Terrence Grant. He was quite pleased by her perceived admiration. Of course, only a man as arrogant and overbearing as he could mistake confusion for admiration!

"Do I need to report my movements to you?" Terrence Grant didn’t even spare Ian Faulkner a glance as he walked directly toward Seraphina Sterling.

Ian Faulkner felt utterly humiliated, but she didn’t dare confront Terrence Grant. Catching sight of the still-composed Seraphina Sterling to the side, she redirected all her frustration onto her.

"Are you deaf? I just said I want to see your boss! If you know you’re just a gofer, then do your job! Otherwise, if I get the slightest bit annoyed, I’ll have your boss fire you! Tell me, compared to me, a lady of the Faulkner Family, do you really think your boss would care about a mere gofer like you?"

’Do all scions of wealthy families have such a superiority complex, thinking they’re above everyone else!’ Seraphina Sterling’s dimples deepened. "It would be more appropriate for you to ask my boss that question in person, Miss Faulkner."

"Miss Faulkner, do you really think this is your family’s backyard? That whatever you say, goes?" The moment Terrence Grant’s arrogant voice rang out, Ian Faulkner’s imposing presence crumbled to dust.

"Seraphina is handling something for me. Is there a problem, my dear niece?" Felix Gallagher said as he descended from the second floor. Several of the smaller merchants nearby immediately swarmed over to greet him. This was a titan of the national jewelry industry; on a normal day, it was difficult for them to even get a meeting. Nobody was going to miss such a golden opportunity.

"Oh, it’s you, Uncle." Ian Faulkner’s expression turned a few shades darker. She never imagined Seraphina Sterling would have such powerful backing!

"Ian, give up on this melon-green jadeite. The Faulkner Family has never been in the jewelry business, so it’s useless even if you buy it. If you want some jade jewelry, you’re always welcome to visit your uncle’s shop!" Felix Gallagher’s tone was perfectly friendly. To anyone watching, he looked like a kind, benevolent elder. Ian Faulkner, however, heard the underlying threat.

"My sincerest apologies, this is a classic case of family fighting family! I had no idea this melon-green jadeite belonged to you, Uncle!" Ian Faulkner’s demeanor changed in a flash. Truly, they were all masters of deception.

"However, Uncle, this gofer of yours really isn’t up to snuff. It’s lucky it was me she ran into today. If you keep using her, who knows what kind of trouble she’ll cause you! If you’re really short-staffed, I have a few sharp people on my team. They definitely wouldn’t let you down, Uncle!"

Ian Faulkner began to lay her trap, venting all her fury on Seraphina Sterling. If it weren’t for Seraphina, she wouldn’t have encountered the Grant Family’s Demon King of Chaos, nor would she have run into the head of the Gallagher Family!

Ian Faulkner’s gaze grew increasingly sharp. ’Just you wait. You’ll soon find out the consequences of offending Ian Faulkner!’

Seraphina Sterling simply handed the melon-green jadeite to Felix Gallagher, not even sparing Ian Faulkner a glance. ’She’s just an illegitimate daughter of the Faulkner Family. She can’t make any real waves!’

"My dear niece, you seem to have misunderstood something. Seraphina has never been a gofer for me. We are partners! Business partners! The conditions here are quite rough. If your father knew his precious daughter was suffering out here, he would be heartbroken!"

Felix Gallagher still maintained his amiable expression, but Ian Faulkner’s face had gone deathly pale. ’I absolutely cannot let anyone else in the Faulkner Family know that I’m meddling in the jade business!’

And so, the farce came to an end. No matter how resentful Ian Faulkner felt, she didn’t dare act out of line in front of Terrence Grant and Felix Gallagher.

However, Terrence Grant’s expression was incredibly dark. His handsome face couldn’t conceal the oppressive aura emanating from him. Just as Seraphina Sterling was about to discuss the price with Felix Gallagher, she was dragged into the venue’s lounge by Terrence Grant!