Chapter 154: She Wants to Give Him a Gift
No wonder the general manager came in so confidently with the agreement.
Paige said, hearing a knocking sound on the other end of the phone, which suggested someone was looking for him, “Well, you go ahead with your work. I’m heading back to school.”
“Oh.” Enrico’s tone immediately turned sour.
Doesn’t she want to talk with him anymore?
“What’s wrong?” Paige detected the unpleasantness in his voice.
“Nothing. When are you going to handle that matter?” Enrico asked in a stern tone.
“What matter?” Paige was momentarily puzzled.
“Rebuilding the slums.” Enrico snorted, “It’s something that needs to be done anyway. Can you speed it up?”
He needed assurance that it was being handled, so he didn’t want any delays.
“……”
Paige was speechless. She never imagined she’d hear Enrico urging her to rebuild the slums. For a major tycoon like him, this was quite unexpected.
What is this?
She couldn’t help but feel a bit amused and exasperated, “I’ve already applied for it. Once the results come in, it will be time for the Public Law Council election. I will compete, gain some authority, and then push it forward.”
She wasn’t hiding her plans from him.
She needed more time. Rushing into it without proper groundwork wouldn’t be effective. She needed to gain more support.
“Such a hassle.” Just from his tone, Paige could tell he was frowning.
“It’s a matter that can’t be rushed.”
If she was going to do it, she needed to ensure it could be fully implemented. She wouldn’t act impulsively without being certain.
“Do as you like.”
Enrico snorted and hung up the phone.
“……”
Paige looked at the phone that had been disconnected, feeling both amused and exasperated. Last time, she read that Scorpio men are known for being hot and cold, proud and clingy, alternating between the two.
It seemed quite accurate.
Putting the phone aside, Paige started the car and drove forward, suddenly noticing the art gallery ahead.
Memory Art Gallery, one of her investments. It’s now the most renowned gallery in the Capital, dealing not only in paintings but also various rare collectibles.
The gallery’s daily earnings were substantial, allowing her to buy properties without a second thought.
Paige parked the car, got out, and walked inside.
The interior was a Western-style vintage hallway, deep and artistic, creating an illusion of traversing through time and space.
The walls were adorned with priceless paintings and valuable items behind security glass.
The lighting was dim, unlike the bright sunlight outside.
“Miss Lautner.”
The gallery owner approached her and bowed respectfully.
Paige held many investments, but none were under her name.
The owner wasn’t aware that the young woman in front of her was the secret boss; they only knew that when the boss was present, they must be well-attended to and follow her instructions.
“Hmm.” Paige gave her a fleeting glance and then looked at the paintings on the wall.
“Miss Lautner, are you here to view the paintings today?” the owner asked politely.
“This painting shouldn’t be displayed here. The lighting is not right and affects its value. Move it to the separate corridor inside,” Paige said, pointing to the oil painting in front of her.
The owner looked a bit stunned but quickly responded, “Understood.”
She promptly called for staff to carefully remove the painting and place it in the separate corridor. Once it was hung there, although it was the same painting, the ambiance felt entirely different.
The cool lighting made the oil painting appear aloof.
It exuded an air of superiority.
This kind of effect was often what wealthy buyers sought.
Impressive.
“I saw ‘The Pyramid’ from the school. It’s a rare masterpiece and a pity it’s housed there,” the owner said standing by.
Hearing this, Paige wanted to smile. The owner was diligent, even thinking of her when it came to good paintings.
Paige stood there, not engaging in casual conversation, and went straight to the point, “I need you to handle two things for me.”
“Yes, Miss Lautner. Please go ahead,” the owner nodded in agreement.
“First, I need a private room. No one is allowed to enter, and only I will have the key,” Paige instructed.
“Understood,” the owner immediately agreed.
“Second, find me the best craftsman who can carve a painting onto a stone tablet,” Paige said.
The owner realized what Paige was asking, “Miss Lautner wants to have the painting carved onto a tablet?”
“I’m not hiring someone. I want to learn the craft myself,” Paige replied, her gaze shifting slightly.
“Learn to carve a painting into a stone tablet?” The owner was astonished, “I’ve heard this craft is extremely difficult to learn, taking several years just to reach a basic level.”
“How well I learn is none of your concern. Just find someone for me,” Paige said, preferring to use the owner’s connections to save her time.
“Alright,” the owner nodded.
“Busy yourself with that. I’ll be on my way,” Paige said, walking out with a faint smile on her face.Content rights belong to NôvelDrama.Org.
Enrico’s words weren’t entirely unreasonable; the more he did for her, the more she felt uncertain about how to reciprocate equally. He said she had never given him a gift, so she decided it was time to prepare one.
Since she was in a good mood recently, she found that learning something new was quick and not difficult.
……
As the holidays ended, the weather gradually cooled down.
Rachel had finally managed to escape Nancy’s clinginess and got out of the Gustins’ car. “I want to shop around here. You can head back to the Gustins’ now.”
“Understood.”
The driver acknowledged and drove away, leaving Rachel standing by the roadside, watching the car disappear from view.
Rachel stood there for a while before turning into an ordinary women’s clothing store on the corner.
About ten minutes later, a young girl emerged from the store, transformed into a disguised Rachel, her face obscured by a scarf and sunglasses.
Rachel hailed a taxi.
The taxi stopped in front of a private villa. Rachel got out, checked to make sure no one was around, and walked along the long stone path into the villa.
The villa was spacious and quiet, still under construction, with everything in a rough, unfinished state.
Rachel removed her sunglasses and scarf and descended the stairs to the basement.
As soon as she entered the empty basement, a foul smell hit her nose.
“……”
Rachel grimaced and held a handkerchief to her nose as she turned on the light and proceeded further.
The large hall was covered in chaotic piles of wrapping paper, moldy food, and a few unwashed women’s dresses and underwear, all filthy.
Rachel’s face twisted in disgust. She looked up to see a huge lock ring embedded in the bare cement wall, with a long and heavy chain hanging down. At the other end of the chain was a thin, unnaturally white hand.
A girl was slumped against the wall on the cold floor, one hand shackled. Her long hair was a mess, looking worse than a bird’s nest.