Dismissed Treasure

After arriving Marin City, Liana left her number to Jack, if ever need any help, he can call her, and she also booked a five star hotel for him to stay at night.

Once Jack was in the hotel, alone, he took out the pendent.

"Eyes, please, show me your power again! Reveal what this treasure truly is!"

As if in response to his fervent request, Jack's eyes glowed once more and the golden light coalesced into clear, floating text before him:

[This is an exquisite, ancient pendent made of deep blue sapphire.]

[Dimensions: 4.5 cm in diameter, 0.8 cm in thick.]

[Description: Crafted from a rich blue sapphire with a glossy finish, its surface is engraved with intricate patterns of swirling vines and flowers, showcasing an ornate and elegant design. Evident from its high level of craftsmanship through its curves and lines, the pendent's design reflects the grandeur and artistry of the Ruby Dynasty period.]

[Estimated Value: Five Million.]

Rows of words hovered before Jack's eyes, leaving him in awe.

The reason he had on taking the pendant became clear—when Liana approached, this strange vision appeared in his celestial eyes. And judging from everyone's reactions, Jack immediately concluded that he was the only one who could see it.

A grin spread across Jack's face. "Hahaha, there's always a way out! I never imagined I'd stumble upon such a fortune. My life is about to change!"

He carefully tucked the pendant away in his jacket and although he had initially considered keeping the pendant as a private collection, his financial situation was dire. Selling it would be the more practical move.

As for why he just asked 100,000 and not too many money. Because he doesn't know the limit of Liana, he doesn't know how much he should ask. That's why he only asked 100,000 which is more than enough for him and his family to live for two years.

However, Liana didn't give him 100,000 but 500,000. Which is enough for him and his family to live 10 years.

Jack had decided to send 400,000 back to his family and keep 100,000 for himself. Tomorrow he would sell this pendent and get money.

"Thank you, pendant," Jack murmured to himself with a small smile playing on his lips. "You've given me a chance to start anew. I'll make the most of this opportunity."

--

The late afternoon sun cast a soft, golden hue over Marin City's bustling streets, where the murmurs of conversations and the hum of vehicles blended into a constant, lively chorus. Jack walked, his gaze darting between storefronts, each flaunting a different kind of allure: glittering jewelry, ornate antiques, and the occasional flashy gadgets that drew curious crowds.

Nestled among these shops was Reed's Antiques, a store known throughout the city for its extensive collection of rare and valuable items. Jack paused outside its glass-fronted entrance, glancing at the name etched in bold, stylish letters above the door.

Stepping into the shop, Jack was greeted by the smell of old wood and polished metal, a scent that seemed to cling to the array of items lining the shelves. The interior was spacious but cozy, with dark oak cabinets and soft yellow lights illuminating the gleaming surfaces of vases, sculptures, and other rare artifacts. Everything was arranged meticulously, exuding a sense of both grandeur and order.

Behind the polished mahogany counter sat Mark, the store's treasure appraiser, a middle-aged man with a neatly trimmed mustache and thinning brown hair. His attention, however, was not on the artifacts or potential customers but on the crisp pages of a newspaper he held up, blocking his view of the entrance. Jack approached slowly, his eyes scanning the room.

Even as Jack drew closer, Mark didn't look up, flipping another page casually. He took a moment, barely glancing over the rim of his newspaper before his eyes returned to the print.

"Look around if you want. Just don't touch anything unless you plan to buy," Mark murmured, his tone indifferent. His gaze flickered over Jack's worn-out jacket and scuffed shoes, and an almost imperceptible sneer tugged at his lips. He went back to his paper, dismissing Jack without a second thought.

Undeterred, Jack continued browsing the room, his gaze lingering on a few items before turning his attention back to the counter. He stepped forward, leaning slightly over it. "Actually, I came to sell something."

Mark snorted softly, his expression one of faint amusement. He folded the newspaper slowly, taking his time as if the mere act was a favor. He finally looked up, his eyes narrowing as they settled on Jack's face, then dropped down to the small pendant cradled in Jack's palm.

"Yeah?" Mark asked with a thin smile, clearly unimpressed. "What is it?"

Jack carefully placed the pendant on the counter, its small chain trailing behind. The pendant's simple design belied its value—a circular medallion engraved with faint, intricate patterns, its centerpiece an oddly captivating gemstone that shifted colors under the light.

Mark eyed it with a cursory glance, his gaze barely registering interest. He reached out, lifting it between his fingers, turning it over a few times. His movements were almost dismissive, as if the object was no more than a child's toy.

"It's… junk." Mark dropped the pendant back onto the counter with a dull clink, the sound echoing in the quiet shop. He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Worthless. Nothing more than a cheap trinket."

Jack's brow furrowed, his heart sinking. "That can't be true. This pendant—"

"Listen, kid." Mark cut him off, waving a hand lazily. "I've been doing this for twenty years. I can tell what's worth something and what's not with a single glance." He yawned, stretching his arms. "This? It's just some shiny piece of metal, probably something you found digging through the dirt."

Jack's grip tightened around the pendant, frustration bubbling up inside him. He knew what he held in his hand was no ordinary piece of jewelry. "You're wrong," he said, his voice firm but controlled. "This pendant is from the Ruby Dynasty. It's worth at least five million credits—"

Before he could finish, Mark let out a bark of laughter, his eyes crinkling with mirth. "Five million? Are you out of your mind?" He shook his head, his expression shifting from amused to slightly irritated. "Look, kid. I don't have time for fairy tales. Why don't you take your 'treasure' somewhere else before I call security?"

Jack glanced over his shoulder as Mark gestured, and almost instantly, two burly security guards emerged from the back of the shop. Their stances were casual but their eyes sharp, clearly waiting for a reason to move.

Jack swallowed his irritation, taking a step back. There was no point in arguing further. "Fine," he muttered, pocketing the pendant. "I'll go somewhere else."

"Good idea," Mark replied with a smirk, his eyes returning to the newspaper as if Jack had already vanished. "Next time, don't waste my time with junk."

Jack turned and walked towards the exit, his frustration still simmering beneath the surface. As he pushed the door open, a sudden force shoved him to the side. He stumbled, catching himself before he fell, and looked up to see a stout, balding man with a round belly squeezing through the doorway.

"Watch where you're going," the man grumbled, his small eyes glaring down at Jack.

Jack bit back a retort, simply nodding before stepping aside. The man huffed and entered the shop, his presence seeming to command instant attention.

Mark, who had barely acknowledged Jack, suddenly leaped up from his seat, his demeanor shifting from indifferent to fawning in an instant. "Mr. Reed! Good evening, sir!" he called out, his voice dripping with enthusiasm. "It's great to see you!"

Thomas Reed—the owner of the shop, Jack realized. He turned slightly, watching the interaction through the glass door.

Thomas Reed barely glanced at Mark, his gaze instead scanning the shop with an air of impatience. "Anything new, Mark?" he asked curtly, his voice deep and authoritative.

Mark, still grinning like a sycophant, shook his head quickly. "Nothing extraordinary today, sir. Just some kid trying to sell junk earlier, but I sent him on his way. You know the type—trying to pass off trash as treasure."

"Good," Thomas grunted, a hint of approval in his tone. "Keep an eye out for the real deals, Mark. Don't let these lowlifes waste our time."

"Yes, sir," Mark replied eagerly, his face glowing with pride. "I'll make sure of it."

Jack's jaw tightened as he watched the exchange. He slipped the pendant back into his pocket and turned away, heading down the street. He'd known it wouldn't be easy to find someone who recognized the pendant's true value, but he hadn't expected to be dismissed so quickly and so rudely.

Still, he couldn't give up now. There were plenty of other antique shops in Marin City—someone, somewhere, would see the pendant for what it truly was. He just had to keep searching.