Leo smiled and said, “Mr. Fox, you really overestimate me. If Mr. Guzman invests in Langstel, the number one hero will be you.”
Noel laughed and said, “If you can help me make this happen, I’ll owe you a lifetime of gratitude!”
Once the investment was completed, it would greatly enhance his political career and increase his chances of entering the committee!
The banquet was held at the Intercontinental Hotel. The attendees were not many, mainly leaders from the municipal departments related to investments. They didn’t know Leo and were somewhat surprised to see him sitting next to Giovanny.
In reality, Noel voluntarily gave up his seat for Leo to facilitate his conversation with Giovanny. But Ally looked at Leo with disgust, thinking he was deliberately trying to climb the social ladder.
After a few rounds of drinks, Giovanny couldn’t wait any longer and instructed his subordinate to bring a box, saying, “Mr. Bloomer, this is a pottery I accidentally found while strolling through the antique street with Titus in Carren. Can you determine its authenticity?”
As soon as they heard it, everyone became interested and wanted to have a look.
Only Noel’s face slightly darkened because he knew Titus whom Giovanny mentioned. Titus Beck was the secretary to Carren, belonging to a neighboring city.
Noel could already guess that this pottery must not be unquestionably fake, a precious item prepared in advance by Titus and intentionally sold to Giovanny.
Titus had been using the same tactics for many years. However, Noel had to admit that the old tricks were effective, as evident from Giovanny’s smiling face.
“Honey, are you really comfortable showing him something we spent millions on? What if it gets damaged?” Ally grumbled unhappily.
“Mind your own business!” Giovanny scolded her, then ordered his subordinate to open the box.
Inside the box was a vividly crafted figurine of a foreigner riding a horse, with bright colors and a radiant appearance.
When Leo heard Giovanny mention Carren, he knew this item was definitely not fake. However, he still symbolically picked it up to appraise it.
“Mr. Guzman, this antique you acquired has a soft and natural glaze, exquisite inner brilliance, radiant colors, and a flickering iridescent light that cannot be matched by counterfeits,” Leo commented.
“Upon closer inspection, there are signs of lead return on the surface, resembling the color of the autumn moon. It is evident that this is undoubtedly ancient. I must say you have an exceptional eye. Nowadays, the market is flooded with counterfeit antiques, and some imitations have a restoration rate of up to 99%. It’s difficult to tell the genuine from the fake. Mr. Guzman, you managed to acquire an authentic piece, truly impressive!”
After placing the antique back in the box, Leo couldn’t help but praise Giovanny.
“Mr. Guzman, your business acumen extends beyond expectations. I didn’t expect you to have such insight in the field of antiques!”
“Yes, that’s why they say Mr. Guzman is the most knowledgeable and sophisticated entrepreneur in Oz!”
“It truly makes me, an antique enthusiast, feel inadequate!”
Other people at the table quickly joined in the flattery.
“Oh, not at all. It was just a coincidence. You all flatter me too much,” Giovanny humbly responded, although his face was beaming with joy, his vanity greatly satisfied.
Only Noel wore a bitter smile. He had already inquired and knew that Giovanny was highly satisfied with the land prices and preferential policies from Carren’s side, showing a bias towards Carren.
“Mr. Guzman, that jade pendant you’re wearing seems quite extraordinary. Could you let me have a look?” Seizing Giovanny’s happiness, Leo brought up the topic of the jade pendant.
“Well…” Giovanny showed a hesitant expression, seemingly reluctant to let Leo see it.
“Mr. Guzman, I assure you that there are only a few in all of Atraria who truly understand blood jade, and I happen to have some knowledge in that area,” Leo said, knowing there must be something peculiar about the jade pendant.
Giovanny hesitated for a moment.
“Honey, you can’t let him see the pendant. Have you forgotten what the master said?” Ally reached out and tugged at Giovanny’s arm.
“The master only said I shouldn’t take it off. He didn’t say I couldn’t show it to others. Meeting Mr. Bloomer is fate, so showing it to him is fine,” Giovanny replied, slightly hesitating before moving his chair closer to Leo.
He then took out the jade pendant from his clothes and handed it to Leo, saying, “Mr. Bloomer, I’ve been wearing this jade pendant for almost ten years, but I’ve never known what quality of blood jade it is. Can you determine it?”
Leo took the jade pendant and scanned it with his spiritual sense. His expression suddenly changed. “Mr. Guzman, has this jade pendant been stained with blood?”
Leo’s words startled everyone. The blood jade already looked somewhat eerie, and now they heard that it had been stained with blood. A chill ran down their spines.
Giovanny and Ally’s faces also changed.
They didn’t expect Leo to figure it out at a glance.
You see, Giovanny always carefully wiped the jade pendant clean after immersing it in blood.
Since Leo had seen through it, Giovanny felt there was no need to conceal it anymore and nodded, saying, “Yes, I immerse it in fresh blood every month.”
“But please don’t misunderstand, the blood I use is from cutting my own finger. This pendant is my lucky charm, so only my blood can activate its powers.”
Upon hearing this, the crowd’s emotions eased somewhat, but they still felt a bit uneasy.
The thought of feeding the jade with one’s own blood was unsettling.
“Mr. Guzman, you can’t continue wearing this jade pendant. It must be destroyed as soon as possible!”
The blood jade, nurtured by the long-term infusion of blood, exuded a strong malevolent aura, indicating a great calamity.
In a few days, Giovanny would undoubtedly face a bloody disaster!
“Why?” Giovanny frowned and asked.
“This jade pendant has accumulated a dense malevolent aura. If you continue wearing it, your life may be in danger!” Leo’s expression turned serious as he spoke bluntly.
“Nonsense!” Ally immediately got angry. “You ignorant fool! Do you know who my husband sought this jade pendant from? Jabari Arnold, the renowned geomancy master from Glathe!”
After Ally finished speaking, the crowd became restless. Jabari’s name was familiar to many present.
Jabari was born in Glathe and was a master of metaphysics.
He had unique insights into geomancy and divination, and with his clever talent and affinity for numerology, he could make swift and accurate judgments in geomancy and destiny, always hitting the bullseye and unraveling difficult problems.
Jabari was also the designated geomancy master for several top businessmen and had legendary stories worth a fortune.