Her Marriage: The Night is Still Young-Chapter 78: Julian Grant, What Brings You Here
Master Thompson gently patted her head, speaking earnestly, "Hmm~, you are now the head of the Thompson Family. Although you’re a girl, Grandpa hopes you will not be outdone by any man and can uphold the Thompson banner."
Josephine listened, feeling a firm sense of mission, "Grandpa, don’t worry, I won’t let you down."
The Thornton Family has passed down through generations with a single heir.
In her generation, she was the only girl.
Others advised Grandpa to adopt a male heir for the Thornton Family to carry on its legacy.
But Master Thompson was very stubborn.
He directly handed over all the family’s assets to Josephine.
He truly believed his granddaughter was exceptional and could uphold the family’s honor.
This time, at the business conference, antique dealers from all over the country would come to participate. Plainly speaking, it meant all the antique dealers from different places would come here to trade and transact.
The antique business isn’t easy; it’s quite deep and easy to be misled.
There are too many counterfeits in the market, some so convincing that even experts can’t distinguish them. If a newcomer enters this line rashly, they could end up losing everything.
After all, even a small antique could be worth tens of millions or even billions. Being tricked into buying a counterfeit could be enough to bankrupt or ruin a family.
"Grandpa knows you have high aspirations and are very capable. But in the antique business, there’s always more to learn. I’ve spent my whole life in it, and I still don’t fully grasp it."
"In the future, you must be more cautious. Keep your eyes sharp and recognize true treasures."
"Understood, Grandpa."
Josephine spent some time with her grandpa in the hospital, waiting until he fell asleep for his nap.
Then she left.
...
After leaving the hospital.
Ruby respectfully asked, "President Thompson, where should we go next?"
"Hmm~, let’s head to the Antiquarian Market in Northwood first!"
"While we’re at it, let’s organize the studio here so that we’re not caught off guard when the artifacts arrive in a few days."
"Alright."
Ruby drove her to the Antiquarian Market in Northwood.
The Antiquarian Market in Northwood is located in Thompson Gardens.
It occupies a larger area than Audenburg, with more merchants.
She also has a studio here.
However, she spends most of her days in Audenburg, and the studio here is basically unused. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎
As soon as Josephine entered the studio, she smelled a musty odor.
"Find someone to thoroughly clean the studio. Also, hire four assistants for me."
"Understood, President Thompson."
Josephine set down her bag and started organizing the office’s various supplies and tools.
Some expired materials were cleared out completely.
She was busy until five in the afternoon.
The deputy general manager of the Antiquarian Market eagerly came to Josephine’s office.
"President Thompson, a big business deal is coming, a big business deal is coming."
Josephine listened and had him sit down to talk it over slowly: "Manager Linton, take a seat and talk slowly."
"Ruby, serve tea."
"Okay."
Manager Linton sat on the sofa, his chunky and slick face shaking with laughter, "President Thompson, a major client has entrusted us to find a Shengli Dynasty God Statue, the best condition. This is their budget."
With that, he excitedly gestured ’two’ with his chubby hand to Josephine.
Josephine was momentarily puzzled, "A budget of two million?"
"With two million, you might find a Shengli Dynasty God Statue, but for the best condition, two million won’t suffice."
Manager Linton shook his head shrewdly, "No, no."
"The client has a budget of two hundred million."
Josephine was slightly surprised, "...Oh~, this indeed is a major client."
"The client also mentioned that as long as the condition is excellent, money is not an issue, even if it’s over budget."
"So generous?"
Manager Linton continued with a smile, "However, the client said they trust no one else, only trust President Thompson’s integrity and judgment."
"..." Josephine listened, frowning slightly.
She is the owner of the Antiquarian Market.
Under normal circumstances, she doesn’t personally meet with clients.
But encountering such a generous client is worth meeting.
"Uh~, currently, there are several Shengli Dynasty God Statues. I can find time to meet this client."
Manager Linton excitedly said, "Oh wow, that’s excellent. The client has already scheduled a time, at 2 PM tomorrow, promptly at our Antiquarian Market."
If this deal goes through.
The commission will be at least five percent.
It’s exciting just thinking about it.
"Tomorrow at 2 PM? Hmm~, that’s doable." Josephine nodded in agreement.
Anyway, she had nothing planned for tomorrow.
Entertaining a client and helping with sourcing isn’t difficult.
"Then it’s settled; I’ll return the client’s call now."
"Okay."
"President Thompson, take your time, I’ll take my leave."
"Okay."
Manager Linton left the office, his face beaming with excitement, "The God of Wealth has arrived, the God of Wealth has arrived."
"If this deal goes through, the client is practically my own father, I won’t have to worry about my mortgage..."
After Manager Linton left.
Josephine opened her computer to check the sources for Shengli Dynasty God Statues.
A few merchants have Shengli Dynasty God Statues.
However, their conditions aren’t great.
After searching around, she couldn’t find one that matched the quality for the two hundred million price range.
"Hmm~, this one barely makes it. But the color is still lacking."
"If it really doesn’t work, then I’ll source the statue from our family collection."
The Thompson Family has a large private collection.
Inside are countless precious antiques.
They are generally not for sale.
However, occasionally one or two pieces will be sold. If a good piece is found, it will constantly be bought back for the collection.
...
The next day.
Josephine Thompson got up early, got ready, and dressed up.
She drove to the hospital.
After seeing her grandfather, she had lunch with Shane Lynch.
It was one thirty.
She then rushed to The Antiquarian Market.
Manager Linton was eagerly waiting.
"President Thompson, you’re finally here."
"Has the client arrived?"
"I just called, the client is already on their way."
"Alright."
Josephine Thompson walked into the office, prepared all the documents for the client to review.
At two o’clock.
Manager Linton cheerfully brought the client into the office.
"President Thompson, the client is here."
"Alright." Josephine Thompson stood up to greet them.
As soon as she reached the reception room.
Suddenly, at first glance, she saw a striking head of flashy, trendy white hair.
Wearing a gray-white cashmere coat and sunglasses. He looked like a trendy idol just coming from Coriana.
Pfft!
Josephine Thompson was immediately stunned.
"...Julian Grant, why is it you?"
Upon seeing Josephine Thompson.
Julian Grant feigned a halt, looked down from above his sunglasses, observing her for a few seconds.
Then, acting all surprised, "Oh wow, how did I run into you here?"
"Tsk tsk tsk, even here can we have a chance encounter?"
"..." Josephine Thompson was petrified, her face covered in black lines from her forehead down.
Manager Linton: "What? You two know each other?"
Julian Grant laughed in a mischievous way, "More than just know each other?"
After speaking, he strolled over to her side, suavely taking off his sunglasses.
"Josephine, what a coincidence, I truly didn’t expect to meet you here!"
Josephine Thompson’s head ached, she couldn’t help but laugh.
"Julian Grant, I’m really impressed, what... what are you doing in Northwood?"
Julian Grant looked innocent, "It’s really just a chance encounter, this time I truly didn’t plan it."
"..." Josephine Thompson rubbed her forehead with a smile, helpless to deal with him.
If they could even have such a random encounter, then it really was unbelievable.
"Josephine, why are you laughing? I’m really here to buy antiques."
Josephine Thompson stifled her laughter, looking at him with resignation, "Really?"
"Yes, it’s my grandma’s birthday next month, I came to pick out a birthday gift for her. My grandma greatly believes in Buddhism, so I thought of choosing a statue of Buddha for her."
Seeing his earnest look.
Josephine Thompson stopped smiling, "Is that so?"
On Julian Grant’s exceptionally handsome face appeared a sly grin, "Of course, otherwise what else could it be?"
"And what a coincidence it is, to just happen to find you here. You better give me a discount, don’t overcharge me."
Upon hearing this, Josephine Thompson instinctively thought for a few seconds.
If he truly came to buy a Buddha statue.
Then she would definitely pick the best one for him, and give him the lowest possible price.
"Don’t worry, with business coming my way, of course, I’d be thrilled to have it."
"That’s great, hurry and show me around then!"
"Sure!"
Josephine Thompson opened her computer.
Brought up high-definition images of a few Buddha statues for selection.
The blue light from the screen reflected on her face as she pointed at a gilded seated Buddha, "This one is from The Old Temple of Anloc, although some of the gilding has peeled, the face is kind and compassionate, and the entwined lotus design on the seat is clear, making it relatively well-preserved among existing Shengli Dynasty Buddha statues."
Julian Grant propped his chin, leaning closer, the cold cedar fragrance mixed with the scent of cologne smelled exceptionally pleasant.
He suddenly reached over to scroll the mouse wheel, swiftly bringing the page to the bottom, "Wait, why isn’t there an introduction for this one?"
In the grayish screen, lay a Buddha statue half hidden in shadow. Its damaged right arm curled beside it, while the mottled glaze emitted a strange sheen.
Josephine Thompson’s pupils slightly contracted.
That was a damaged piece she had temporarily brought out from the family collection earlier this morning.
She originally planned to keep it hidden from everyone until it was restored before showcasing, only to be spotted by him at a glance.
"This... is a Dawnveil Dynasty imitation, too badly damaged to be suitable..."
"Oh, I see, then never mind."
Josephine Thompson brought up two more Buddha statues for him, "This one is actually suitable, whether in terms of appearance or face, it fits well. Plus, it won’t break the budget."
She wanted to help him save some money.
"No, no, it doesn’t look grand enough."
"Then how about this one?"
"No, no, it doesn’t look dignified enough. It doesn’t feel like a Buddha statue at all, no, no."
After showing him several, he still didn’t like any of them.
Josephine Thompson sighed, "Then I’m afraid I can’t help, these are all that’s currently available."
Julian Grant chuckled, "Josephine, there’s no rush in choosing the Buddha statue, take your time."
"Now I’m hungry, can you take me out for a meal?"
"Didn’t you eat before coming?"
"No, I can’t get used to airplane food. That’s right, I came straight here as soon as I got off the plane."
