Mike had acquired a collection of items through less-than-conventional means. After securing the haul, he promptly sought out experts to assess its value. Their evaluations, however, were underwhelming. While some objects held moderate value, they paled in comparison to what Mike had paid for them.
Being in the estate business, Mike had recently completed a large transaction with a significant client. On his return journey, he encountered a band of thieves. Their attempt to rob him was feeble at best; their lackluster firepower made them easy targets for Mike.
Initially, Mike didn't think much of the encounter. Run-ins with bandits weren't exactly rare in the United States. But as he was leaving, he noticed a peculiar box among the bandits' belongings. Its craftsmanship stood out—clearly, it was a cut above the rest. Intrigued, Mike couldn't resist taking the box and its contents home.
