Chapter 319
In the car, Francesca called Lauren and chatted for several minutes in hushed tones. Hanging up, her face registered clear disappointment. She sighed, “It’s a shame Lauren can’t join us. We were going to attend the showcase together, but the Rhodes family is keeping a close eye on her lately. She’ll have to skip it this time.”
Andrew recalled Jerry and the others from the previous day. Their stated purpose had been to pick up Lauren, but their behavior suggested surveillance.
Cedric interjected, “The Rhodes family has an important guest from Blumedale. Lauren’s likely occupied entertaining them.”
They chatted casually during the drive, eventually arriving at Jayrodale’s famed antique district. The streets were already crowded, forcing Andrew to park several blocks away.
Cedric surveyed the bustling crowd. “This year’s showcase is even more lively than last year’s! Luckily, I’m a member of the Jayrodale Antique Society. Let’s use the VIP entrance!”
As they walked, Andrew observed the overflowing shops and makeshift stalls lining the streets, filled with curious trinkets and unusual items. Many people seemed to be browsing for pleasure rather than purchasing.
Andrew knew the antiques world was notoriously complex. Big spenders were either seasoned collectors or wealthy individuals unconcerned about paying premiums. Cedric fell into the latter category—his ability to identify valuable pieces was questionable, but his deep pockets compensated for his lack of expertise. He spent hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, annually at these showcases without hesitation. Yet, amidst the crowd were those rare individuals who could discern hidden treasures for a fraction of their true worth—the true masters of the antique world, often professional collectors or appraisers.
Such experts were few and far between. In the antique community, anyone claiming to be a "master" was either a fraud or a genuine heavyweight—the latter being elusive and difficult to encounter.
After Cedric presented his membership credentials, they were escorted through the VIP entrance into the main event area. The showcase was held in a large outdoor plaza, transformed into the day's focal point. Radiant Group had invited several prominent antique experts to oversee the event.