NovelEnglishChapter 145 Those with Hidden Agendas
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Mr. Calvin's eyes widened in surprise before nodding in approval. “Not bad at all—that is indeed a surviving
fragment of Mona Lisa. I'm impressed you recognized it at a glance. Seems you know your classical paintings.”
Sloane gave a playful smile. “I happen to own one of his final works-Epiphany. It's remarkably well-preserved.”
Mr. Calvin's eyes lit up at once. “Epiphany? You have Epiphany? It was said that painting disappeared during the
Ancient Days when its collector, a prominent tycoon, fled abroad during wartime. No one’s seen it since!
Countless collectors have scoured the globe for it with no luck. And it turns out... it’s in your hands?” His voice
trembled with excitement.
Seeing how much Mr. Calvin adored the painting, Sloane offered generously, “Since you love it so much, I'd like
to gift it to you-as my offering to you, now that I've becyour disciple.”
Mr. Calvin was stunned speechless for a moment. Then he waved his hands frantically. “Absolutely not! That
painting is far too valuable-I can’t accept it. And there's no need for a disciple’s gift.”
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But Sloane’s tone was sincere. “No matter how rare something is, it only holds true value in the hands of
someone who understands it. To me, it's just a collector's item. But with you, | believe it can be appreciated to its
fullest.”
Lucas spoke up with a smile, “Mr. Calvin, you might as well accept it. Sloane truly wants you to have it. If it
makes you feel better, why not let her pick something from your collection in return?”
Mr. Calvin considered it, then nodded with a chuckle. “Now that’s a fair trade.”
He took Sloane by the arm and led her around the treasure vault. “Take a look-if you like something, just say the
word.”
“This is a parchment from the Medieval Days,” she noted, then picked up a stone tablet. “And this is a ritual
artifact from the Old Kingdom. The hieroglyphs represent power and authority.”
As they walked through the collection, Sloane was able to comment knowledgeably on almost everything. Even if
she didn’t know the full backstory, she grasped enough to impress.
Mr. Calvin's admiration only deepened. The more she spoke, the more satisfied he becwith his new
apprentice.
Eventually, Sloane settled on a ruby ring. The gemstone was a vivid crimson, masterfully cut,
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Chapter 145 Those with Hidden Agendas
and set into a rustic yet elegant golden band-simple yet luxurious.
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Mr. Calvin grinned when he saw her choice. “That ring was once a betrothal gift from a noblewoman during the
ancient days. It was part of a pair, though the other has long since vanished. Legend has it, she wore this ring
throughout a happy, blessed life. Since you like it, it's yours.”
Sloane accepted the gift with a bright smile. “Thank you, Teacher.”
After leaving the collection vault, Mr. Calvin suggested Sloane go check on the drying process of the restored
manuscripts.
Once she'd left, he cast a sideways glance at Lucas. “Did | tell you to bid on those texts?”
Lucas blinked innocently. “Mr. Calvin, didn’t you just examine them yourself?”
The truth was, Mr. Calvin had gotten wind of the auctioned manuscripts before the event and had asked Lucas to
help him win them.
He just hadn't expected Sloane to end up with them instead.
Mr. Calvin scoffed playfully, his tone half-joking, half-critical. “And here | thought the mighty Mr. Hawthorne
wouldn't lose a bid to a little girl.”
Lucas pretended not to notice the jab and smoothly changed the subject. “Well, Mr. Calvin, maybe you lost a few
manuscripts-but you gained a fantastic student.”
“Hmph!” Mr. Calvin shot him a glare, then added meaningfully, “Now that Sloane is officially my apprentice, I'll
be keeping an eye on her-don’t want her getting tricked by anyone with... ulterior motives.”
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