After this happened three times, Ian Lawson had no choice but to take out his phone, turn it off in front of Abel Lewis, and even remove the battery. Only then did Abel Lewis leave, satisfied.

After finishing his work, Ian Lawson found an excuse to slip into the restroom and hurriedly turned on his phone.

As soon as he powered it on, the phone rang noisily. Sitting on the toilet, Ian Lawson lowered his voice and whispered, “Hey, Lizzy? I got locked out.”

The female clerk Lily at Uncle Carter’s shop snapped crisply, “Little Lawson, you’re still joking at a time like this? Since just now, the boss has had me call you over and over—I’ve called at least a hundred times, my hand’s gone numb. The boss is furious right now. He wants to talk to you himself.”

Uncle Carter’s voice immediately came on: “Annie, where the hell have you been? Get to the shop, quick.”

Ian Lawson pleaded, “Uncle Carter, you know how hard it is to find a job these days. I’ve only just started, and you want me to leave during work hours to come to your place? That’s asking me to lose my job!”

Uncle Carter’s tone softened: “Nephew, don’t say that. Working for me is a job too. I’ve supported you for so many years, and your salary isn’t low. Sure, you’ve helped out at the shop, but you know, during your school years, you only helped out on weekends, came and went as you pleased. Now, Uncle Carter is asking you, please come. I have something urgent.”

Ian Lawson’s heart softened, and he said, “Uncle Carter, someone’s watching me. How about I come over during my lunch break? It’s just an hour away. What’s so urgent?”

Uncle Carter lowered his voice and said, “That foreigner who came back from Tibet with you brought an old man this time. He insists on buying that antique lighter you brought back, and he’s offering $5,000. But there’s a condition: he wants to meet you in person and have you describe how you found the lighter.”

It was bound to happen sooner or later, and Ian Lawson was well aware of it. Jenny had come back looking for that necklace. Unfortunately, time was too short, and Ian Lawson hadn’t had a chance to uncover its secrets.

Hearing no response on the line, Uncle Carter quietly pressed Ian Lawson again: “Annie, do you think $5,000 is too cheap?”

Ian Lawson firmly advised, “Uncle Carter, just sell it to him. $5,000 is over 40,000 yuan. When I went to Tibet, you gave me 20,000 yuan, and besides the lighter, I brought you a bunch of antique watches and Pomi knives. Each Pomi knife can sell for at least 1,000 yuan, and some of the stones in the scabbards might even be uncut rubies or sapphires from the region. In my opinion, you’ve already made plenty. One shouldn’t be too greedy.”

On the phone, Uncle Carter chuckled good-naturedly: “Alright, alright, take your time getting here. I’ll show them the knives and see if I can haggle a bit more.”

Ian Lawson watched the minutes crawl by in agony, his intense curiosity making him restless like a bird trapped in his chest. As soon as the end-of-shift bell rang, Ian Lawson declined his colleagues’ lunch invitation, dashed out of the company, and caught a cab to the antique street.

As soon as he entered the shop, Uncle Carter greeted him with a beaming smile and said enthusiastically, “Annie, I know you haven’t had time to eat, so I ordered a big hamburger meal for you. It just arrived and it’s still hot. Eat first, then talk to them.”

When someone is overly attentive for no reason, it’s never a good sign.

Jenny popped his head out from behind Uncle Carter and greeted him warmly, “Hello, my friend, I’m back again. My boss heard about the lighter you bought and he’s very interested. Many years ago, his family lost an explorer in Tibet, and he wants to learn more about the British items left there.”

Jenny’s words were stilted and awkward, and only after Ian Lawson mentally reorganized them did they become the sentences he’d just heard.

Following Jenny’s gesture, Ian Lawson saw the British old man sitting on the shop’s sofa—his hair as white as frost, his gaze sharp as a blade; his suit was exquisitely tailored, the fabric hard to describe, but every seam was meticulously crafted; his black lace-up shoes shone like mirrors. Every tilt of his head, every frown, every gesture exuded elegance, the bearing of a classic British aristocrat. The faint aura he gave off showed he was used to commanding others.

“Sir, my English isn’t very good. May I get a translator?” Ian Lawson asked cautiously.

The old man turned to scrutinize Ian Lawson. When his gaze fell on him, Ian Lawson felt as if all his clothes had been stripped away, leaving him completely exposed.

“Is it him?” the old man asked Jenny in English.

After receiving confirmation, the old man quickly said a few words to Jenny—Ian Lawson understood half, and with Jenny’s explanation, he got the full meaning.

The old man was tired. He said he’d waited too long and wanted to return to the hotel to rest, and would bring the hotel’s translator. He was willing to pay half the price as a deposit for the items, and the rest would be settled at the hotel.

“Tonight!” The old man solemnly invited Ian Lawson.

“Tonight!” Ian Lawson replied firmly.

Chapter 6: Accident

When Jenny paid, Ian Lawson’s eyes widened, but he didn’t dare make a sound of surprise—half the price, and Jenny paid $6,000.