The Charismatic Charlie Wade

“Enough with the excuses.” Zachary impatiently waved his hand. “Let me tell you the truth. I asked for three million just to attract undercover agents. Any genuine antique connoisseur would publicly ridicule us upon hearing that price. They would outright refuse. My intention is to play along, gather more clues when they’re lured in.”

He continued, a smug grin forming on his face. “But let me tell you, your little trick won’t work on me!”

Gideon was rendered momentarily speechless. He hadn’t anticipated that the three million dollar offer had been intended for such a purpose all along.

Considering his earlier speculations, he firmly believed that this group of people was a tomb-robbing gang specializing in selling stolen antiques. Zachary’s words only reinforced his conviction.

After all, he believed that a criminal organization capable of long-term survival must be cautious and cunning, employing countless methods to evade detection. Doubting everything was a necessary precaution.

In light of China’s stringent and cautious organizational structure, Gideon had no doubts about Zachary’s performance. The more he feared Zachary’s misunderstanding, the quicker he smiled and pleaded, “Boss, you’ve truly misunderstood me. I’m not an undercover agent. I genuinely want to purchase something I like…”

“Alright, alright,” Zachary dismissed him with a perfunctory tone. “Say whatever you want. You enjoy fine things, don’t you? If you like them so much, go on a shopping spree in the antique street and buy more. Just don’t interfere with my business.”

Witnessing Zachary’s indifference and his refusal to listen to his explanation, Gideon seethed with anger, wishing he could strike Zachary down right then and there. But he quickly dismissed those thoughts. He knew his mission in Aurous Hill all too well. His orders from the Lord were clear, eliminate the Evans family and wait for Bruce’s son to reveal himself.

Having arrived in Aurous Hill alone, he should have immediately set out to fulfill his task. Yet, he had disembarked from the plane and made a beeline for the antique street. If any trouble arose from this, if word reached the Lord’s ears, he would have no way to justify his actions.

Hence, Gideon suppressed the anger simmering within him and in an almost pleading tone he said to Zachary, “Brother, please understand me. If you don’t trust me, just provide me with your bank account number. I’ll transfer the three million directly to you! After all, no undercover agent would genuinely spend three million to buy your antiques, right?”

“Well, who knows,” Zachary sneered, his lips curling. “I’m not an enforcement officer. I’ve never encountered one before. What good would your money do? If you really are an undercover agent, that money would be your mission fund. You wouldn’t need to pay for it yourself. Once I receive the money, I would be convicted of illegally reselling antiques. At that point, you would flash your police badge and slap on the handcuffs. I’d be arrested, the money returned and I’d be singing behind bars, crying in regret. That’s what you’re trying to accomplish, isn’t it?”

“Why won’t you listen!” Gideon stomped his feet anxiously. He never imagined that this man would be so cautious, perhaps even overly cautious.

Moreover, no matter what he said, Zachary refused to believe him. He wouldn’t even entertain the idea of receiving the money. There was no room for a moment of reflection!

didn’t have to abide by the

him vulnerable to believing every word that came out of Zachary’s mouth. Unbeknownst to him,

with close ties to tomb raiding. He firmly believed that these

could think about at that moment was how in the world he could make that damned Zachary believe in him and persuade him to purchase the magical artifacts in his possession. Suppressing his anger, he replied

say?” Zachary’s eyes gleamed as he inquired,

out without hesitation, “Just give me your card number and I’ll send you

your account, you’ll have to handle the exchange yourself to convert it into

him a blank stare and retorted, “Who do you think you’re looking down

avoid any negative impressions. “I’m sorry, Boss. It was my mistake

who make subtle jabs at others, acting as though I’m not experienced enough to

apologize. Considering the scale of

don’t you provide me with

“Dollars, ah, at an exchange rate of one to six, you can

Zachary was pocketing hundreds of thousands in profit. But he didn’t bother to count it at that moment. The fact that Zachary was willing

retrieved his phone and provided Gideon with his

long after, Gideon, using a Swiss bank card,

Zachary confirmed that the money had been transferred, a smile lit up his face and he joyfully exclaimed, “It seems my suspicion was unfounded. Since the money has successfully been credited to my account, you are

slight annoyance lingered within him as he exclaimed,

money and are willing to sell to anyone who buys from them usually go under within a year

“You’re absolutely right. Being cautious is always the

that I’ve paid you the money, when can

replied casually. “I have my men waiting for the Hong Kong businessman at the airport. Hong Kong businessmen are cautious, they never make calls or send messages. They won’t even disclose which flight they’re taking to Aurous Hills. They’ll only identify themselves using a code word and a token once they meet. So, they could arrive at

something behind, everything would be ruined. Therefore, Zachary pondered and suggested,

else… If it’s inconvenient for your man to