The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Noticing the wad of cash, Ladden’s eyes lit up as the other party handed him several hundred dollar bills.

Without bothering to count them, he swiftly pocketed the money, casting a furtive glance around before turning to Gideon with a miserable expression. “Master, to be honest, this finger charm isn’t something I can sell at the drop of a hat. It belongs to my elder brother, you see. I’m supposed to wear it and use it as a token when I pick up people at the airport.”

“A token?” Gideon’s brow furrowed slightly. He couldn’t help but question why an ordinary person possessed a magical artifact. If it was merely a fortuitous encounter, he could buy it from this guy at a slightly higher price and consider himself lucky. However, the man claimed that it was a token given to him by someone else, which made Gideon grow cautious. He deliberately probed Ladden, “Brother, can you explain the purpose of this token? Tell me more.”

Ladden chuckled, lowering his voice. “My elder brother asked me to receive Hong Kong businessmen here. They’re big customers in the antique circle, you know. There are some shady deals that can’t be openly explained to outsiders. It’s like secret agents. Communication requires a token.”

Ladden pointed at his signboard, wearing a determined expression. “I reckon that the name on my signboard is just a facade. It’s all a charade. Hong Kong businessmen who come to purchase cultural relics won’t use their real names. They’ll probably rely on this ring in my hand to confirm my connection.”

Ladden didn’t lie to Gideon. Zachary hadn’t fully explained things to them, intentionally keeping it vague and shrouded in mystery, allowing their minds to wander and speculate. Why wasn’t there a confirmation letter for the arrival? Clearly, caution and carefulness were necessary. And why wear a potentially lethal ring when picking someone up? Perhaps Zachary had some ties with tomb raiders and now intended to help them sell their ill-gotten gains!

dug up and not surrendered was illegal. If it were dug up but secretly traded, it would be an additional crime. Zachary willingly offered him and his friend three thousand labor fees per day, indicating that he was planning something big and didn’t care about such a paltry sum of money. It was precisely due to these

twinge of conflict within himself. On one hand, he suspected that this might be a scam, but on the other hand, after hearing Ladden’s explanation, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this gang was providing comprehensive services for

He’d never stoop to stealing or cheating. He’s well versed in all kinds of antique calligraphy and

them over with a smile. “Brother, can you introduce me to your elder brother? I genuinely want

at the old man, seeing his willingness to pay and a plan took shape in his mind. Coughing deliberately, he spoke earnestly, “Old man, you know our industry has its own rules. I don’t know who you are, so I can’t simply take you to my elder brother. What if you’re an undercover agent? If we get caught, my life would

something like that? To tell you the truth, I’m an overseas Chinese who recently returned to China after

said sincerely, “Look, brother, I have an

fabricating stories himself, so he didn’t expect the old man before him to be an undercover agent sent by the police. He mentioned it merely to raise the difficulty and threshold of the matter, in order to squeeze more money out of the old man. With a serious expression, he said, “Old man, I also have a reputation to uphold. I can’t just take this item and hand it

added more money and handed it over, speaking earnestly, “Brother, let’s put everything else aside. Look at me, at my age. Even a

charm you possess. So, I sincerely want to buy it. Here’s my proposal, convey my interest to your elder brother and ask him to