Chapter 201
Even after pooling her money with Arianna and Madelyn’s, Natalie had just over four million. Adding in the value of her house, her car, and her own savings, the total came to twenty-seven million. It was a far cry from the eighty million she needed.
She scrolled through her contacts, knowing there were people who could solve her immediate problem. Eugene Ramirez and Samuel Thompson, for instance. That amount of money was trivial to them.
But she couldn’t bring herself to ask.
Eugene was Alexander’s uncle, which made the situation far too awkward. Samuel, on the other hand, had no family ties to Alexander, but they were bitter rivals. Asking him for help would undoubtedly trigger a cascade of complications.
After turning it over and over in her mind, Natalie finally took off the necklace her mother had left her. It was a vintage piece, an antique with an intricate, jeweled design. Based on her experience, she estimated it was worth around ten million.
It was the last memento she had of her mother, a tangible piece of her memory, and she couldn’t bear the thought of parting with it. But desperate times called for desperate measures. She could only hope her mother would forgive her, praying she could find a way to buy it back later.
No matter what, she would visit the pawn shop tomorrow.
The next morning, Natalie arrived at Cabinda’s largest pawn shop. The building gleamed with a glass façade, and inside, the layout was immaculate, with precious items displayed neatly in glass cases.
A staff member approached as she entered. After learning what she needed, he took her necklace to an appraiser in the back.
A short while later, the employee returned to the waiting area. “Ms. Watson,” he said, “our appraiser has evaluated your necklace and can offer you two million for it p>
“Two million?” Natalie was stunned.
While a pawn shop wasn’t an auction house, the valuation process was similar. Even if she had misjudged its worth, the discrepancy couldn’t possibly be this large. “May I speak with your appraiser?” she asked, needing to understand why the offer was so low. Thɪs chapter is updated by (.)net
The staff member agreed, and soon she was face-to-face with a middle-aged man. He knew why she was there and spoke before she could. “Ms. Watson, while your necklace is an antique, the market for this type of piece has recently plummeted. There’s a lot of volatility right now. Frankly, two million is a generous offer p>
“Even with market fluctuations, the difference shouldn’t be this drastic,” Natalie countered, unconvinced.
Just then, a woman in a dark,
tailored suit entered the room, a professional smile on her face. “Ms, Watson understand your situation but we have to follow procedure. However, I might have a way for you to get a better price p>
“I know what you’re going to say,” Natalie cut in. “You want me to sell it outright p>
She knew the terms. An absolute sale always yielded more than a simple pledge. But this was her mother’s keepsake. She would never sell it permanently.
“I’m sorry, but I won’t agree to an absolute sale. In that case, let’s just forget it p>
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Natalie carefully placed the necklace back in her purse, stood up, and walked out. She had been counting on it to help her, but she never
expected the valuation to be so low.
There were other pawn shops in Cabinda, but this was the largest. If their offer was
low, the others would be even lower.
Was she really going to have to accept Alexander’s terms?
Lost in thought, Natalie bumped into someone as she reached the main
entrance, and her bag tumbled to
the floor. They both apologized, and the man
ben own to pick up
the necklace that had fallen out.
“Thank you,” Natalie said, reaching for it. Only then did she get a clear look at him—
a handsome man, simply dressed, but in fabrics that were clearly expensive.
She held out her hand, but the man didn’t seem ready to let go. He was staring at
the necklace, a thoughtful expression on his face.
“Thank you,” she repeated, gently pulling the necklace from his grasp.
The man finally snapped out of his trance and turned as if to ask her something, but Natalie was already gone.
Meanwhile, Aaron Lee hung up the phone and walked into Alexander Ramirez’s office.
“Mr. Ramirez, Ms. Watson decided not to pawn the necklace p>