chapter 23 lucky customer

Outside the Jernigan family's home, Eilir was pacing anxiously. Upon seeing Atius returning with Nidawi in his arms, she let out a sigh of relief and stretched her hands to take Nidawi from Atius. "Mom, Dad took me to so many fun places today!" Nidawi excitedly nestled in Eilir's embrace, showing off the peace charm hanging around her neck. Eilir's elegant brows furrowed slightly as she looked at Atius. "I know you've saved some money over the years, but that doesn't mean you can just spend it recklessly." At that moment, Calandra came out and noticed the jade peace charm around Nidawi's neck. She looked at Atius with some surprise. "That's Imperial Green jade, isn't it? It must be worth hundreds of thousands at least. Did you spend all your savings, so you had to walk back?" Atius just smiled without explaining. The group moved to the dining room, where the Gillespie family had already wiped the tables and chairs several times, and the table was filled with dozens of dishes. Gillespie also brought out his treasured fine wine and smiled at Atius, "Lord... Mr. Atius Seymour, I don't have much to offer you, so please don't mind." Atius shook his head with a smile, took a sip of wine, and nodded, "This wine is not bad." "What do you mean 'not bad'!" Calandra rolled her eyes. "My father treasured it like a gem for over a decade, and all you say is 'not bad'." "It's as if you've tasted better wines." "Calandra, watch your manners!" Gillespie glared at his daughter and then invited, "Come, come, let's eat and see if my cooking skills have gotten rusty after not cooking for so many years." After a few bites, Nereus and Indivar took turns toasting Atius, which made Calandra frown. She couldn't understand why her father and two uncles were so polite to Atius. "Eilir," Calandra suddenly turned to Eilir, "Did you see the message from Destiny Jewelry Store?" "In three days, Destiny Jewelry Store will no longer sell to the public." "It's a shame. I really like the jewelry from that brand." Eilir shook her head with a smile, "I'm not interested in jewelry." Atius, who was drinking wine, felt a twinge in his heart when he heard this. What woman isn't interested in jewelry? Putting down his glass, Atius softly suggested, "Eilir, how about we go to Destiny Jewelry Store tonight?" Nidawi, sitting beside Eilir, suddenly grabbed her arm and looked up, "Mom, Dad promised me today that he would buy all the shiny things for you." Eilir's eyes instantly reddened. After dinner, Calandra signaled Atius to have a word in the small garden. "Here's a card for you," Calandra handed Atius a bank card with an expressionless face, "There's a million in it, consider it a loan from me. When you go to Destiny Jewelry Store later, pick a nice piece of jewelry for Eilir." Atius couldn't help but laugh and cry, "I'm not short of money." "Stubborn as a mule!" Calandra tossed the card into Atius's chest and turned back toward the house. As night fell, Calandra finally convinced Eilir to accompany her to Destiny Jewelry Store for a visit. An hour later. Calandra, holding Eilir's arm, walked into Destiny Jewelry Store, with Atius carrying Nidawi following behind. Domingo, who had just returned from dinner, spotted Atius and hurried over to greet him. Atius shook his head and whispered, "Pretend you don't know me." Domingo glanced at Calandra and Eilir walking ahead and quickly turned to go upstairs. "So many people," Calandra observed the crowded store and pulled Eilir toward a counter surrounded by many people. Atius followed leisurely, his gaze constantly on Eilir's face. "Lord!" Kaladin's voice suddenly rang out from behind. Atius handed Eilir's hair to Kaladin and then tenderly said to Eilir, "If you like it, buy it." Eilir glanced at the necklace in the display case and shook her head, "It's not suitable for me." Someone nearby sneered, "If you can't afford it, just say so. No need to make excuses!" Atius's gaze turned cold, ready to lash out, but Nidawi, in his arms, held his face, "Daddy, be good, don't get angry." Atius's anger dissipated instantly. Within a short time, Calandra had several bags in her hands. Suddenly, exclamations erupted from the crowd. Calandra and Eilir turned to see all the customers crowded around a newly unveiled glass showcase. The showcase, placed in the center of the store, was cordoned off with caution tape, guarded by two Heaven Rank experts from the War God Palace dressed in security uniforms. Domingo announced excitedly, "Ladies and gentlemen, I believe you all recognize this necklace." "Yes, this necklace is the legendary Heart of the Galaxy." "Legendary jeweler Paloma spent his life gathering twenty-five top-grade colored diamonds and took thirty years to complete it." Besides the customers, many jewelry experts had come to see the Heart of the Galaxy. A renowned jeweler asked excitedly, "Master Colter, why is the Heart of the Galaxy here?" Domingo smiled, "Because this Heart of the Galaxy now belongs to the new chairman of Destiny Jewelry Store, and it's also the wedding gift he prepared for his fiancée." The jewelers were stunned. In fact, nobody believed that a rare treasure like the Heart of the Galaxy would be privately owned. The women present were envious. "If my husband could give me the Heart of the Galaxy, I'd be willing to die right now." "Forget it, just seeing it is fortunate enough for three lifetimes." In the crowd. Calandra glared at Atius, furious. "Now you understand the value of the Heart of the Galaxy, right? And you wanted to give Eilir a fake? Has your conscience been eaten by a dog?" Eilir tugged at Calandra, "Calandra, tone it down." "I can't be bothered with you," Calandra glanced at Eilir, "Just keep siding with him." Suddenly, Domingo looked toward Atius and announced loudly, "We have another huge surprise for everyone." "We have a spot for a free trial of the Heart of the Galaxy!" This announcement sent everyone into a frenzy. Being able to wear the Heart of the Galaxy, even for just a second, would be a lifetime honor. Calandra jumped excitedly, pulling Eilir forward through the crowd. Domingo pulled out a bouquet and continued, "Whoever catches this bouquet will have the chance to try on the Heart of the Galaxy, and they will also become today's lucky customer, entitled to choose one piece of jewelry from the store for free." The crowd went wild! Domingo threw the bouquet without warning. Everyone watched the trajectory of the bouquet, rushing towards it like mad. Atius smiled to himself, thinking Domingo was quite the character, as he caught the bouquet and appeared ten meters away in a blink. The customers stood dumbfounded, their hearts sinking. "Congratulations to this gentleman!" Domingo applauded. "Is your lady present today? You may personally put it on her." Atius turned to Eilir and tenderly said, "Eilir, go try it on." Calandra and Eilir were both stunned by Atius's catch and were speechless for a moment. By the time Domingo called out a second time, Calandra, ecstatic, pulled Eilir forward and then stood in front of the display case. The two Heaven Rank experts bowed to Eilir, smiling as they opened the caution tape. Calandra nudged Eilir forward. Atius, holding Nidawi, also stepped in, reached out to open the display case, ready to pick up the Heart of the Galaxy. But Eilir suddenly turned and ran out of the store, as if in a trance. Everyone was stunned; they couldn't believe someone would be foolish enough to give up the chance to try on the Heart of the Galaxy. Atius, holding Nidawi, followed her out of the jewelry store. Calandra initially wanted to chase after them but then turned back and shouted to Domingo, "Master Colter, my best friend just left, I'll choose a piece of jewelry for her." Domingo nodded, "Ms. Jernigan, please pick at your leisure." Without hesitation, Calandra pointed to a jade bracelet in the adjacent showcase, "Please deliver it to my house." After speaking, Calandra also hurried out of the jewelry store. Domingo watched somewhat awkwardly as the two Heaven Rank experts glared at him, one growling, "This was your brilliant idea!" Domingo could only smile wryly, unable to retort. Outside. Eilir ran out, her eyes red, and accidentally bumped into a short-haired woman in leather attire, Lena, the daughter of Damir from the provincial city. She glanced at Eilir, a flicker of surprise in her eyes, then proceeded towards the jewelry store. Indeed, she had come from the provincial city specifically to see the Heart of the Galaxy on display.