Chapter 3 The Richest Man In Jadeborough

• “Hurry up and help me welcome the people from Hubbard Artifacts!” Fabian was thrilled to hear that some people from Hubbard Artifacts had arrived at their restaurant. It's such an honor for us!
• He was hoping that it would be a turning point for the Murrays.
• “That will not be necessary!”
• An elderly-sounding voice rang.
• Seven to eight men in black fanned out on two sides of the entrance as an old man made his way into the restaurant. The old man said impassively, “Hubbard Artifacts has been entrusted to pass on a special gift to the Murray family.”
• Then, the old man took out an old-looking box and gently rolled out a scroll of painting. Everyone's face turned aghast at the sight of the painting, especially Jared. Beads of nervous sweat lined his forehead.
• It looked identical to the painting that he had gifted Fabian!
• A deafening silence stretched in the room when the painting was laid bare for everyone to see.
• “How interesting. I didn't think that Titian had cared to produce two identical paintings back then. He had to be really drunk for this to happen!”
• Christopher's words broke the silence and snapped everyone out of their surprise as they turned to look at Jared and Henry.
• “Yes, Mr. Berbrooke and Mr. Cordrington. Why are there two identical paintings?” Fabio asked anxiously.
• Jared's previously smug face turned ashen. Cold chills ran down his spine while Henry shuddered in fear, for they knew how esteemed Hubbard Artifacts was.
• Just as Jared told Christopher, the antiques that were appraised by Hubbard Artifacts to be authentic would be regarded as authentic items. It didn't matter whether it was truly authentic or not. Such was the reputation and respect Hubbard Artifacts commanded within the antique collection community.
• Hence, it went without question that the painting that Jared owned was fake.
• Heck, no one would question the authenticity of the painting that was sent over by Hubbard Artifacts, unless one had a death wish.
• “Oh, did someone send over the same painting? Let me take a look.”
• The old man noticed the other painting immediately, and his eyes darkened as he chided, “This is just a counterfeit! How dare you pass it off as an authentic item, Mr. Berbrooke?”
• “Mr. Hubbard! I've misjudged!” Henry was almost pleading.
• Everyone in the room was flabbergasted when Henry addressed the old man as Mr. Hubbard.
• There was no other Mr. Hubbard in Hubbard Artifacts, save for the Chairman of the Hubbard Group, Dennis Hubbard, the richest man in Jadeborough!
• “Y-You are the Chairman of Hubbard Group?” Fabian asked nervously.
• “Yes, that's me,” Dennis replied tersely.
• His reply flustered everyone, as it meant that the richest man in Jadeborough was standing right in front of them.
• The man who exercised immense influence over Jadeborough actually showed up at a meager restaurant owned by the Murrays.
• After all, Dennis was someone whom even the mayor had to welcome and greet with much respect. Everyone's minds went blank as they could not understand what was happening.
• Other people might be just taken aback by Dennis' presence, but Henry knew he had just been given a death sentence after what Dennis said.
• “Oh, you've misjudged? Do you know the repercussions of lying to me?” Dennis snickered.
• Dennis' domineering aura was overpowering, and Henry felt his knees buckle. With a shaky voice, he pleaded, “Mr. Hubbard, please. I am truly sorry for my blunder. This is a high-quality counterfeit. I've made it clear to Mr. Cordrington back then that this is not authentic!”
• His remarks made the Murrays turn to look at Jared. Fabian was infuriated, as he felt humiliated. Jared let out a huff and chided, “Mr. Berbrooke, how dare you spout nonsense! You've given me the guarantee that this painting is authentic!”
• “Mr. Cordrington, I wouldn't have sold it to you for only a hundred thousand if it is authentic!”
• Henry was devastated, for he had thought that this was a simple errand to run. It was beyond his expectation that Dennis Hubbard himself would make an appearance.
• In view of the situation, Henry had no other choice but to divulge the truth in order to keep his job.
• Jared was terrified as well. The Cordrington Corporation and the Hubbard Group were in different leagues. He could not afford to offend the richest man in Jadeborough.
• Besides, Jared knew that Dennis was a veteran and avid antique collector. He would be a fool to play tricks right under Dennis' nose!
• “D*mn it, Mr. Berbrooke! How dare you accuse me of instructing you to do that? Just you wait. I'm going to demolish your shop!”
• Then, Jared turned around to dash out the door.
• He could not bear the pressure of being in a confrontation with the richest man in Jadeborough.
• Julianna heaved a sigh of relief at the sight. She instinctively stole a glance at Christopher and thought that the man was high on his luck. However, if it was not for Christopher, she would have been sacrificed by her own family.
• “Since you're already telling the truth, I will let you off the hook this time. You just need to pay a fine of five hundred thousand at Jadeborough Antique Association to keep your license.”
• Dennis waved his hand to dismiss the man. Henry felt so grateful that he almost cried. If Dennis had not shown mercy on him, Henry knew there was not a single chance that he could continue living in Jadeborough.
• “Thank you, Mr. Hubbard. Thank you.”
• Then, Henry scurried out of the place.
• Meanwhile, Dennis stood up slowly. Fabian hurriedly tended to him and said respectfully, “Mr. Hubbard, it's such an h-”
• “I do not wish to hear such pleasantries. My time is far too precious to waste on these,” Dennis said.
• Fabian did not appear displeased in the slightest. After all, the old man before him was leagues ahead of him. He was only the head of the Murrays and probably a mere speck of dust in Dennis' eyes.
• So, Fabian replied tactfully, “Yes, yes. May I know who has presented us with the gift?”
• Even though Fabian knew he had no luck in trying to connect with Dennis, he knew that the person who gifted them a Titian painting had to be influential as well—seeing that the person had the ability to summon the richest man in Jadeborough to personally deliver the painting. Hence, Fabian thought that the Murrays might ride on the mysterious person's coattails and prosper alongside the person.
• At the same time, other members of the Murray family were also casting hopeful glances in Dennis' direction.
• However, Dennis merely said impassively, “I am afraid I cannot disclose the identity of my client. However, the person who gifted the painting wanted to thank your father. Consider the debt between your family and the person who gifted you this painting even after you've received this. All right, I am going to take my leave now.”
• After Dennis was done, he headed for the door right away. Just when Fabian was trying to see him out the door, he was pushed away by Dennis' security guards. Though Fabian looked disheveled from getting pushed by the guards, he maintained his smile and personally saw Dennis to his car.
• After Dennis left, Fabian immediately announced, “Our immediate mission is to find out who has gifted us the painting. That person has to be our family's largest benefactor. Our family will surely prosper if we can find the person.”
• The Murrays grew excited at the prospect. However, Christopher silently snickered to himself as he wondered how Fabian and Frank would feel if they knew the person who gifted them the painting was none other than the broke and inconsequential soldier standing right in front of them.
• The drama finally came to an end. No one cared that Christopher was the one to point out that the painting was a counterfeit. They only assumed that Christopher got lucky.
• However, Frank kept staring at the painting in Fabian's hand and said in a small voice, “Fabian, that Titian painting could be considered as Father's inheritance. The creditors are at my neck recently, and they're even planning to sue me. You could sell the painting if you don't have money to bail me out of the situation.”
• “Frank, are you nuts? This is an authentic Titian painting! How dare you suggest that I sell this off to save your d*mned factory! Do you still take me as your brother? Isn't your son-in-law great? He's a retired soldier, right? Just ask him to bail you out with his retirement fund!” Fabian chided angrily.
• Even though Frank felt indignant, he dared not retort.
• “Frank, if you really want to save your factory, you better chase Christopher away and apologize to Mr. Cordrington. Judging by today's incident, I reckon Mr. Berbrooke has scammed Mr. Cordrington. If Mr. Cordrington truly has the intention to marry Julianna, he would bring about so much more than this Titian painting.”
• Then, Fabian left without another word. Of course, he kept the Titian painting all to himself.
• At the thought of Fabian taking the painting for himself, Frank was aggrieved. He turned over and pointed right at Christopher's nose. “You! It's all your fault! I must be down on my luck. Why did you come back? Why didn't you just die out there? I'm going to beat you to death!”
• Just when Frank was about to hit Christopher, Julianna dashed forward to stop her father, for she knew that it was Christopher's sudden appearance that saved her from having to marry Jared. Besides, Christopher was still her lawful husband. “Dad, please calm down. This is not Christopher's fault.”
• “How is this not his fault? If it weren't for him, Fabian would not have taken the painting for himself. Julianna, you have to divorce this man. Only Mr. Cordrington could save us now...”
• “Dad, even if Uncle Fabian did not use Christopher as an excuse, he will not give a d*mn about our family either. As soon as Grandpa was gone, he split the family inheritance and left us with a failing factory with financing issues. How was it possible that we passed the quality test? Why would it incur such high losses on our customers' ends?” Julianna sobbed.
• “And on the note of Jared, do you really think he wants to marry me? Don't you know how many women has he defiled all these years? They were all driven to end their lives. Do you wish the same for me?”
• Julianna grew upset at the mention of Jared. She could already picture the tragedy that would befall her if she married the man.
• “S-So? What do we do? Are you saying I should sell the house?” Frank let out a heavy sigh.
• “Dad, please go back home first. I'll figure something out,” Julianna said in an attempt to calm her father.
• Christopher and Julianna were left alone right then. An awkward silence hung in the air as Julianna eyed her husband who had made a sudden appearance. She was at a loss for what to say.
• She would be lying if she said that she was not mad. However, Julianna knew that her wrath was futile. Can I slap him across the face again? Julianna breathed in deeply. The two of them did not know each other well anyway.
• Are we getting a divorce? But I've promised Grandpa that I won't divorce him.
• However, before Julianna could say anything, Christopher broke the silence and said in a low voice, “Julianna, please accompany me to your grandpa's grave.”
• At a cemetery in Jadeborough, the two of them stood before Old Mr. Murray's grave as they stared at his photo.
• Then, Christopher bowed.
• “Five years ago, when I was down in the dumps, you gave me a chance to start my life over. Then, three years ago, you gave me your blessings and let me marry Julianna. However, I did not even get to attend the wedding and left. You told me that there would be no families before our nation was secure. I heeded your advice and made our nation proud. But I have also hurt you and the Murray family by doing so. You left one year ago, and yet I could only come to pay respect to you now. I apologize for coming late, and I would also like to apologize to your granddaughter for letting her down. I know your reasons for letting Julianna marry me back then, but I owe her too much, and I'm afraid I can no longer feel at peace with myself if I continue to get in the way of her freedom. Please forgive me!”
• He stood there for two whole minutes. Then, he turned to look at Julianna with reddened eyes and said, “Julianna Murray, I've owed you too much these three years. I know you yearn for your freedom. So, I'm going to give it back to you. Let's get divorced.”