Chapter 492: An Unforeseen Incident (1/2)
GDK 492: An Unforeseen Incident
The ‘Viride Leaf’ in the box looked just the same as the one on the auction stage, but the kind of energy and vitality was nowhere to be found. Han Shuo felt it with his hand, and immediately found that this thing was definitely not the wood attribute treasure ‘Viride Leaf’, but a counterfeit carved from a block of fine, dark green jade.
Having spent 300 thousand gold coins, only to discover that what he received was just a counterfeit article carved from regular jade. No one would be in a very good mood, let alone Han Shuo.
“What’s the matter?” seeing that there seemed to be some sort of dispute, a high-level personnel wearing a dinner suit hastily came over and asked.
“Lord Zarya, the gentleman says the item is amiss!” an attendant in charge of receiving Han Shuo hastily replied.
Zarya had carefully observed Han Shuo during the auction. Extravagant characters like Han Shuo tended to leave lasting impressions on him. In any case, Han Shuo spent 300 thousand gold coins in purchasing the item. It was a matter of course for him to treat Han Shuo as a VIP.
Zarya hurried over. After listening to the attendant’s explanation, he anxiously said to Han Shuo, “May I have a look?”
Unimpressed, Han Shuo handed over the counterfeit Viride Leaf. In a deep voice, he said, “Your auction house is very reputable in the whole of Kasi Empire. I suppose that you guys aren’t deliberately playing a joke on me right?”
“Of course not! Of course not!” Zarya could make out the wrath between Han Shuo’s words. He took out the ‘Viride Leaf’ and felt it with his hands, and his face fell. He asked the attendant, “Who brought the item here earlier?” “It was Galia, Sir!” the attendant replied.
Zarya took a deep breath and respectfully executed a bow towards Han Shuo. He sternly said, “My apologies, there is indeed something wrong with this item. Sir, we will first refund you the 300 thousand gold coins. Please give us some time, and we will quickly get the genuine item to you.”
“Han, it probably had nothing to do with the auction house. They wouldn’t purposely do such things that would damage their own reputation!” whispered Sophie, who has been right beside Han Shuo.
Han Shuo originally thought that the auction house was deliberately trying to dupe him. He was even prepared to give the auction house a bloodbath if they wouldn’t admit to it. But now, Zarya, the person in charge, immediately acknowledged the matter while also being very friendly in attitude. Hence, Han Shuo immediately realized that there was more to the situation than met the eyes.
“Alright then. I hope that your auction house will give me an appropriate explanation. In addition, it is I who won the item fairly and aboveboard, I hope that you will not sell it to someone else!” Han Shuo said in a deep voice as he stared coldly at Zarya.
Zarya looked at Han Shuo with fear and trepidation. He could suddenly feel this unprepossessing fatty become extremely frightening all of a sudden. From Han Shuo’s body, he felt killing intent that was as though material. That kind of stifling pressure petrified him and he knew that Han Shuo was not a man to make enemies with.
Zarya, being in the high position he was in, was no simple character. Just from that terrifying demeanor coming from Han Shuo he understood that he was not a force to be reckoned with. He agreed with him like a yes-man as he turned over in his mind how to appropriately resolve this issue.
“Please leave us a contact method. Once we find the item, we will immediately look for you to make a new transaction!” Zarya, who was scared witless, said respectfully after refunding 300 thousand gold coins to Han Shuo.
“No need for that. I will be here for the next two days. You guys better shape up!” Han Shuo coldly groaned before signalling Sophie with his eyes and striding out.
Sophie caught up to Han Shuo. When they were near the exit, seeing that no one was around, Sophie conjectured, “I think the problem didn’t come from the auction house, it’s more likely to be Braque, that two-faced guy!”
Suddenly, Han Shuo firmly grasped onto Sophie’s small hand, and before she could react, Han Shuo abruptly increased his pace, and rapidly vanished among the streets outside the auction house as he dragged her along.
Just as the duo was rapidly leaving, sacred knight Sulo hurriedly approached from another passageway. All he saw was Han Shuo pulling Sophie by the hand as they disappeared into the bustling streets. On the busy street lined with vendor’s booths and swamped with people, Sulo soon lost track of the two.
Sulo wore a gloomy face. Gazing into the crowd as the duo disappeared from his sight, he softly mumbled, “Who is this guy?”
The silhouette of Han Shuo and Sophie holding hands was deeply imprinted in Sulo’s heart. When he suddenly called to mind the influences of the Pillion family in Kasi Empire, Sulo had an instant headache. Shaking his head with a bitter smile on his face, he sighed, “Fifi ah Fifi, you really know how to find troubles for dad!”
“Mister Sulo, what’s the matter?” As Sulo was talking to himself, Thuram, a minion of Braque’s, suddenly came over and asked.
“No, nothing!” Sulo replied succinctly. Seeing Braque walk out from behind Thuram, holding up all the treasures he gained from the auction sale with a glimmer in his eye, Sulo didn’t feel the slightest bit of joy, but on the contrary, began worrying for his entire family.
Sulo knew Braque even better than Sophie. Despite his rather good approval rating in Kasi Empire, his true temperament was not at all as good-natured as one could see on the outside. This person, once he had his eyes on something, would never let go. Once he settled on something, he would not stop until he got his way. As it happened, the House of Pillon was the royal family of Kasi Empire. Sulo realized that merely with him alone, he was incapable of helping Sophie find true happiness.
He sighed. Sulo had decided that no matter what, he had to get Sophie and Braque together. Otherwise, it wasn’t just a matter of Sulo and Sophie. Their collateral relatives would not need to bother thinking about having a foothold in Kasi Empire.
“Father-in-law, Fifi really is a headstrong one. She didn’t even tell us where she ran to. But still, I am sure that among these things, there will be a few that Sophie will like,” Braque laughed as he walked over, expressing his affection for Sophie.
He must be truly in love with Fifi. Fifi ought to be even happier with him. It must be so! Sulo consoled himself before he smilingly said, “How considerate of you. I think Fifi will surely see how much you care about her!”
“Of course, she is my fiance! How could I not treat her well!” Braque chuckled.