A Warm Marriage After Rebirth

Chapter 105: Chapter 105: Sky-high Transaction

”Hello?” Seraphina Sterling steadied her nerves. ’The more formidable the opponent, the less fear I can show!’

”Miss Sterling, I admire your ability, and I’m also very impressed by your courage. You’re the first person who’s ever made me initiate contact!” A sinister voice came through the phone, making the already cold winter night feel even more frigid.

”Then I should feel honored! There’s a first time for everything, isn’t there?” Seraphina Sterling’s voice was soft and relaxed, showing no signs of being overwhelmed by his intimidating presence.

This was a contest.

A psychological battle of presence and nerve.

Whoever showed weakness first would lose the upper hand.

A pleasant laugh came from the phone. ”My goal is the Jade Bracelet. My men might have been a bit rough earlier, so I hope Miss Sterling can forgive them!”

”I’m a petty person. Forgiveness isn’t something I’m very good at,” Seraphina Sterling said, her tone tinged with jest.

The other party fell silent. He was just being polite, making the expected pleasantries. He never imagined she would take him literally. He was left utterly speechless. ”Miss Sterling, name your price. That Jade Bracelet is nothing but trouble for you!”

”That’s where you’re wrong. Since you know I have the Jade Bracelet, you must also know who won it at the auction. This was a welcome gift from Zion Hale. It means the world to me.” Seraphina Sterling paused.

”Are you messing with me?” The man’s voice was now laced with poorly concealed anger.

”Don’t get so worked up. Getting angry at your age is a surefire way to get sick—high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, heart disease... you name it. You really should learn to stay calm.” Even hearing his rage, Seraphina Sterling remained perfectly composed, her emotions showing no hint of disturbance.

’At your age...’

The other end of the line went completely silent.

”I never said I wouldn’t sell. I just wanted to make it clear that my price is very high. The only question is whether you can afford it.” Unconsciously, Seraphina Sterling had seized control of the conversation. ”Ten million.”

”No problem! Miss Sterling, you sure know how to do business. Zion Hale only paid five and a half million for it, and you’re turning around and nearly doubling the price!” The man’s voice relaxed considerably. ’As long as I can get the Jade Bracelet, that’s all that matters! The outcome is everything!’

”Don’t get happy too soon. Let me finish. Ten million... US Dollars. Not one cent less. If you can accept that price, come and pick it up.”

”That’s highway robbery!” The man was grinding his teeth in fury. ”Aren’t you afraid of what will happen if you piss me off? That I’ll send my men to set your house on fire and burn it all down?”

”You can try. If you want this bracelet shattered into a million pieces, then by all means, go ahead. A friendly reminder: you have three days.” With that, Seraphina Sterling decisively hung up.

”Seraphina, what’s wrong? If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word!” Summer said, looking at Seraphina Sterling’s grave expression. Thinking about everything Seraphina had been doing lately, she couldn’t help but worry.

”Don’t worry, it’s fine. I can handle it.” Seraphina Sterling let out a long breath. ’I’m not just being extortionate. This is a gamble—a gamble on how important this bracelet is to them, a gamble that they wouldn’t dare risk its destruction.’

’Fortune favors the bold. But the absolute priority in all this is that nothing, absolutely nothing, can happen to Mom.’

”Actually, there is one thing I could use your help with. My mom’s been home alone a lot recently without any company. Could you ask Miss Wallace to invite my mom over to your house for a visit? They could chat, or exchange tips on raising daughters, whatever. I’m just worried she’s getting too lonely at home by herself.”

”Of course, that’s easy!” Summer was thrilled. She was finally able to be of some use.

「Three days passed in a flash.」

During that time, her phone never rang, and there was no trouble at home. But throughout it all, Seraphina Sterling’s nerves were stretched taut. She remained hyper-aware of her surroundings and the phone in her pocket, terrified of missing a call.

Finally, on Friday evening, a discreet black car parked on a street corner not far from the school.

An exceptionally ordinary-looking man walked over. ”Miss Sterling, our boss has agreed to your price. Cash for the goods.”

”Your boss made a wise decision.” After a confirmation call, Seraphina Sterling led the exceptionally ordinary-looking man toward her home.

But just as they reached her apartment complex, they saw thick black smoke and raging flames billowing from the floor where she lived. Firefighters were already on the scene, battling the blaze.

Without a second thought, Seraphina Sterling charged toward the building.

But a firefighter on the scene stopped her. ”Miss, it’s too dangerous in there! You can’t go in!”

”Let me go! That’s my home! My mom might be inside!” Seraphina Sterling broke free from the firefighter and charged toward the inferno.

”Stop her! The fire up there is too big! It’s too dangerous!”

The exceptionally ordinary-looking man immediately rushed forward to block Seraphina Sterling.

Her eyes bloodshot, Seraphina Sterling didn’t hesitate. She threw a punch at the man and then grabbed him fiercely by the collar. ”You actually dared to commit arson? Do you really think I’m that easy to bully?”

”Miss Sterling, calm down! Our boss already agreed to the transaction. Why would he start a fire now?” the man said, trying to pacify her.

”Let go of me right now! If a single hair on my mother’s head is harmed, I’ll put a bullet in your boss’s head!” As she spoke, Seraphina Sterling grabbed the man’s wrist and twisted it hard. With a sharp CRACK, the joint dislocated.