Chapter 434: Seraphina Sterling’s Identity Exposed (6)

Chapter 434: Chapter 434: Seraphina Sterling’s Identity Exposed (6)

Seraphina Sterling and Genevieve Churchill strolled along, taking in the sights. By the time they reached Apex Collections, it was nearly noon.

The shop’s decor could only be described as the height of luxury. All the furniture was made of pear wood, which had recently been driven up to astronomical prices. To the right stood a tea tree next to a large pond where several water lilies floated. A dozen or so precious koi fish swam beneath the emerald-green lily pads. To the left was a tea table, making it clear at a glance that the owner was a tea connoisseur. A faint, pleasant aroma of tea permeated the air.

If it weren’t for the bustling crowd on the street outside, the shop would have felt like a tranquil paradise, completely removed from the world. This decor alone was a major draw for Apex Collections, attracting numerous customers. To pull off such a feat of interior design in a city like Aethelgard, only Joel Xavier could manage it.

To gain a firm foothold in Aethelgard, where land was worth its weight in gold, Joel Xavier had to have considerable clout of his own.

The shop was bustling with customers when Seraphina Sterling entered. A typical antique shop would never be this crowded, but Apex Collections was an exception. In addition to trading antiques, it also sold Ancient Charm Porcelain Ornaments. In fact, many of the customers were there specifically for the ornaments. Apex Collections provided the antique porcelain pieces, while Jade Pavilion designed them into the latest styles. The collaboration was a true win-win for both.

"Joel Xavier, I heard Jade Pavilion came out with new designs. You saved a set for me, right?" Seraphina Sterling said, leading Genevieve Churchill directly to him. ’She didn’t recognize a single employee; they were all new faces!’

"Of course. How could I dare ignore a request from Miss Sterling?" Joel Xavier was wearing a modernized traditional robe that gave him a gentle, refined, and scholarly air, making him look like a man from a bygone era. His attire, the staff’s traditional gowns, and the shop’s decor all complemented each other perfectly.

Seraphina wanted to roll her eyes at him. ’This guy never missed a chance to tease her!’ "Looks like business has been good. You’re making a nice profit and seem quite... relaxed." She deliberately stressed the last word. At her jab, Joel Xavier’s expression changed, and his demeanor instantly turned serious.

"Jade Pavilion did release a new collection, but it’s a limited release. They only kept two sets at their store, while we have three here. All these people are here for it. I have to say, you’re an excellent business partner." Joel Xavier genuinely admired Seraphina Sterling’s insight and talent. ’For a young woman to possess such foresight and creativity... she was terrifyingly brilliant.’

Genevieve Churchill looked at the daunting crowd in the main hall and had a sinking feeling. "So many people? Is there any chance there’s one left for us?" ’Limited-edition pieces must be expensive, right? In my current situation, I’m not even sure I can afford one.’

"Definitely!" Seraphina replied with absolute confidence. ’She had fallen for this new set the moment she saw it, and she knew it would be perfect for Genevieve.’

"Miss Sterling is right. Others might be out of luck, but since you called ahead, how could we not have one for you? Two of the sets were already pre-ordered. This last one," Joel Xavier said, pulling a box from the safe, "I had to go through hell and high water to hold onto for you!"

"Well, thank you so much, Mr. Xavier!" Genevieve Churchill knew of Joel Xavier as well. The Apex Traditional Culture Exchange had been held at the Apex Collections branch in Sanford, but she and Joel weren’t well acquainted.

"Don’t thank him. ’Hell and high water,’ my foot," Seraphina scoffed. "From the very beginning, he told the public there were only *two* sets of the new collection available. And those two must have been snapped up long ago. Otherwise, do you really think he could have kept this last one on hold? Even as the manager, that would be impossible. This is Aethelgard; there’s no shortage of wealthy and powerful families. It would have been easy for them to pressure him into selling it."