"Is there something going on between you two? Don't bottle it up. If anything's wrong, you can always talk to me."
Lyria had always been the sensible, obedient daughter. From childhood, she had never been one to complain, never burdening others with her worries. Often, she quietly bore her frustrations, holding them inside.
This was something her mother, Lady Denvair, had noticed, and it worried her deeply.
"Mom, no, there's nothing to worry about. Kael hasn't been hiding anything from me, really. We're fine."
Lyria sighed inwardly as she spoke. The questions she had asked Kael recently, and his dismissive answers, were still fresh in her mind.
Kael Renforth wouldn't share anything, and from that moment on, she had decided not to press him any further.
It was a matter of pride—a woman's dignity.
And for Lyria, it was her bottom line.
"Mom, don't keep Dr. Chou waiting. I'll go downstairs first."
In a bid to avoid further questioning, Lyria quickly excused herself and headed out the door.
There's no one who understands their child better than a mother.
Lady Denvair had noticed Lyria's recent mood shift and had been quietly observing.
Everyone had seen Kael Renforth's changes. It was clear he had done everything for the Denvair family, and for Lyria. But it was also clear that, over the past few days, Lyria had begun to see Kael in a different light.
As she watched her daughter leave, Lady Denvair fell into deep thought.
Downstairs, Lyria made her way down the stairs, taking her time.
She rarely wore formal gowns, but tonight was different. She had chosen a deep blue evening gown for the charity auction—an event of great significance.
Her graceful figure and breathtaking beauty caught Kael Renforth off guard when he saw her.
She's stunning.
Lyria's beauty was ethereal, like she belonged to another world, untouched by the mundane.
"We should get going," Lyria said softly, breaking Kael out of his stunned silence.
On the way to the event, Lyria asked quietly, "Are the auction items ready?"
Over the years, due to the decline of the Denvair family, many of their precious collectibles had been lost. Kael Renforth had taken it upon himself to handle the matter.
Since his return from the North, Kael hadn't carried any treasures with him, deciding to buy something special from Treasure Street on the way.
Kael nodded, and they continued on their way.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the Port Avallon Garden Hotel.
Kael Renforth pulled the car to a stop and looked toward the nearby antique street with a smile.
"You two go ahead. I'll pick up the collectibles," he said.
Dr. Chou, who had been eagerly anticipating the auction, was excited to see the treasures Kael had prepared. He was certain they would be extraordinary.
Port Avallon's Treasure Street had been famous for over a century, known for its rare and priceless antiques.
Kael Renforth walked into one of the shops, where an elderly man wearing glasses was tidying up behind the counter. Upon seeing Kael, he immediately stepped forward.
"Good day, sir. How may I assist you?"
Kael Renforth nodded and casually picked up a jade bracelet from the display.
The shopkeeper, noticing Kael's youthful appearance and unfamiliar demeanor, assumed he was just another naïve buyer, easy to deceive.
"Ah, you've got a good eye, sir! This is a rare Hetian jade, the only one in the entire street! You won't find anything like it anywhere else!"
With a proud grin, the shopkeeper extended five fingers.
"For you, I'll offer a special price—only fifty thousand!"
Kael Renforth's expression didn't change.
Hetian jade?
Did the shopkeeper really think he could fool him so easily?
The bracelet's craftsmanship was sloppy, and the color and texture were nothing like genuine Hetian jade.
Kael Renforth placed it back down and began walking around the store, inspecting other items.
The shopkeeper's demeanor shifted when he saw Kael wasn't interested in anything. His eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a much quieter tone.
"If you don't find anything you like, you might want to look at some of our newly arrived treasures."
His voice dropped even further. "Some of these are rare pieces you won't find on the market."
Kael Renforth shook his head. "No need."
As he turned to leave, he knew all too well that this shop—and many others in the district—was full of overpriced fakes. The real treasures weren't to be found in places like this.
He had come for something far more valuable.