Chapter 452

"Mr. Gardner Senior," Skylar said, "this bronze artifact appears genuine, but"

Alexander's tone also grew serious. "But what?"

"But it's a funerary object, and not just any kind. Please stay away from it and don't touch it again!" Skylar's urgency was evident. Sensing something unusual, she needed to examine the artifact in person to identify its nature.

Alexander readily agreed. Skylar tossed her phone aside and hurriedly searched for clothes.

Joe, who had been nearby after showering, noticed Skylar completely ignoring him. Despite his imposing stature, she seemed oblivious to his presence.

Having overheard the conversation, Joe grabbed his clothes and prepared to join her.

Only then did Skylar acknowledge him. "I'm heading to Gardner Manor. It's late, so you should rest. I might be back very late."

"I'm coming with you," Joe declared firmly.

Skylar nodded. They quickly changed, and Joe drove his limited-edition sports car.

The late hour meant light traffic, allowing them to reach Gardner Manor in twenty minutes.

Alexander, his face etched with growing concern, intently studied the bronze artifact. The longer he looked, the more unsettling it seemed. Skylar's warning had instilled caution, and he hadn't touched it since.

Despite witnessing countless objects throughout their lives, John and Caleb, accustomed to discerning authenticity, had never seen Alexander so troubled.

Returning from outside, John noticed his father's focused gaze and asked curiously, "Dad, is something wrong? Let me take a look."

He approached for a closer examination, but Alexander's abrupt command, "Don't touch it!" stopped him.

Unable to resist, Caleb murmured dryly, "Uncle John, even I am curious." (The original phrase "Unable to resist i die, taleh femmiked dryly, “Uncle John, even in sifting tiene quiser 20 despite my curiosity" is unintelligible and has been replaced.)

Startled by the outburst, John shot a cold glance at Caleb.

"We'll wait for Skylar to arrive and have her examine it," Alexander instructed.

The recent influx of unusual items on the market, reminiscent of the porcelain Annabelle brought in for restoration, made Alexander wonder about their source.

Squinting from a distance, John offered the obvious, "It's definitely a bronze artifact."

Though lacking natural talent, John's upbringing had equipped him with basic knowledge, allowing him to occasionally impress his antique-collecting friends.

"Do you need to point out the obvious?" Alexander retorted, looking speechless.

John, wary of provoking Alexander's fiery temper, refrained from arguing. He rubbed his nose, catching Caleb's smirk.

John countered defensively, "What are you laughing at? You spend all day with Skylar and haven't learned a thing?"

Caleb, unfazed, replied, "So what? You're older and spend all your time with Grandpa, yet you haven't learned much either."

John's frustration simmered as he clenched his jaw.

Accustomed to their bickering, Alexander, now solely focused on the artifact, lacked the energy to reprimand them.

Just then, the maid announced Joe and Skylar's arrival. A spark of interest ignited in Caleb's eyes at the mention of Joe.