Chapter 328

Andrew shook his head. "I'm no master—I just know a thing or two."

Elsie could no longer accept Andrew's modesty at face value. Earlier, she had confidently displayed her antique knowledge while guiding Andrew and Francesca through the collection, but now she felt embarrassed. It was like teaching calculus to a mathematics professor.

While some celebrated, others brooded. Orion's face darkened as he reached out, demanding, "I don't trust these worthless Jayrodale experts. Give it to me—I need to examine it myself."

"Dream on, Orion," Cedric retorted, pulling the relic back protectively.

Andrew intervened calmly, "Let him see it. Let's put his doubts to rest."

Cedric reluctantly handed over the relic. Orion turned it over in his palm, examining it from every angle until his face went ashen, an uncontrollable glint of greed flickering in his eyes.

"According to the auction rules, whoever authenticates a piece gets to keep it," Andrew stated. "Mr. Kelce, you've handled it enough; it's time to return it."

Orion's face twitched as he reluctantly returned the relic.

Cedric snatched it back with a cold laugh, mocking, "Orion, earlier you manipulated me into wasting a million dollars. As fate would have it, that million bought me a priceless relic. Are you about to burst with jealousy?"

Orion was indeed close to bursting. He knew Andrew had outplayed him, and the thought that such a treasure had slipped through his fingers pained him.

"Mr. Kelce, is it really a genuine sacred relic?" Aspen asked incredulously.

"Yes, it is," Mr. Kelce admitted bitterly. "This kid got lucky—that relic should have been mine."

Aspen refused to accept it. "If it was real, why didn't you buy the bronze statue earlier, Mr. Kelce?"

Orion's face darkened as he snapped, "Stop asking! If I had known there was a relic inside, would you even need to ask?"

Aspen exclaimed, "If you couldn't spot it, how did Andrew? Are you saying he knows more about antiques than you?"

Orion said grimly, "Hiding relics inside bronze statues is one of the most sophisticated techniques in antiquities. Not even the most renowned experts could easily spot such treasures, let alone this amateur."

Aspen felt somewhat relieved. "So Andrew just got lucky?"

Chapter 32 (Note: There seems to be a numbering error. This chapter should likely follow the previous one.)

Orion replied, "Either that, or he had inside information we don't know about. But one thing's certain—he doesn't possess the skill to spot these things consistently. If he truly had such supernatural insight, then I'd be fortunate to be considered his junior!"

"Well, even if he got lucky once, now it's your turn to choose a piece for him to authenticate," Aspen said with a cold smile.

Orion immediately called out, "Kid, luck won't save you this time. I might have missed it earlier, but to beat me, you'll need real skill."

"I don't need much skill to make you kneel before me," Andrew replied with a smile.

Orion laughed furiously and barked to someone behind him, "Bring it here!"