Chapter 1158: Chapter 1158: The One We Secretly Loved in Our Youth—Even If It’s Over, We Must See Them One Last Time

Lana Shaw and Calliope Shaw sat in the car, looking at the Howard Family just a stone’s throw away, hesitating greatly, unsure whether to tell the Howard siblings about this matter.

The old lady and Richard Shaw apparently placed great importance on a woman named Leah and specifically instructed them not to reveal that she looks like Crystal Landon, which seemed a bit like trying to cover it up.

"What do you think we should do?" Lana Shaw looked at Calliope Shaw, biting her lip as she spoke.

Calliope Shaw usually had ideas; she hesitated for a moment before saying firmly, "If she is Crystal Landon, there’s no reason to hide it. We are all her friends, as are the Howard siblings. If she isn’t Crystal Landon, but is instead using Crystal Landon’s face with ill intentions, how bad could it be for the old lady and cousin? So, we have to tell Caspian Howard right away so he can come back to investigate."

Thinking about it, Calliope Shaw broke into a cold sweat. What a disaster it would be if someone had ill intentions under the guise of Crystal Landon’s face, especially since their cousin has nearly gone mad these years after losing Crystal Landon.

The two sisters have benefited from Crystal Landon, which is how they’ve risen so high, having what they do today. They absolutely cannot sit idly by while this possibility might occur.

Lana Shaw nodded, deciding not to go in the Howard Family house. Initially, her mind was in turmoil, which is why she drove here. Now, having thought it over, she sent Hawk Howard a message.

Last year, Nova Howard married a college classmate with a good family background who is gentle, honest, and now pregnant. Lana Shaw thought it was best not to tell her about this until things became clearer, so she wouldn’t get upset.

Lana Shaw sent Hawk Howard a WeChat message, waited a long time with no response, suddenly remembering Hawk Howard probably even deleted his WeChat, quickly calling him instead.

After a long wait, the phone finally connected, and a cold male voice said, "Lana Shaw?"

Speaking of which, Lana Shaw and Calliope Shaw only had a nodding acquaintance with Hawk Howard, and hadn’t been in contact for years, only knowing through Nova Howard that Hawk Howard returned to the United States and remained single.

"It’s me, Mr. Howard." Lana hesitated for a moment and spoke softly, "Today is New Year’s Day, and we went to the Shaw Family to pay our New Year’s respects. We saw a woman who looks exactly like Crystal Landon, and she didn’t seem to recognize me or Calliope Shaw."

The phone line was silent for a long time, just when Lana Shaw thought the other party had hung up, the cold and reserved male voice continued, "I will return to the Imperial City immediately."

After saying this, the man hung up.

Lana Shaw sighed softly, while Calliope Shaw also paused in silence; after all, as sisters for many years, they understood each other’s thoughts. Although Hawk Howard appeared cold and indifferent, he was actually very sincere with friends, almost every girl’s perfect lover.

But back then, Hawk Howard only had eyes for Crystal Landon. After Crystal Landon died, he returned to the United States in a state of despair. The two sisters had always admired Hawk Howard, even though they only met him a few times, yet the affection they developed could only be buried deep within their hearts.

"This time, it’s because of Crystal Landon’s matter that Caspian Howard returned. Once we meet, we’ll stop thinking about it and focus on dating and marriage." Calliope Shaw said, "Let’s go back."

Over the years, even Nova Howard has married and had children, while the two sisters have been focusing solely on their careers, essentially avoiding things. Despite wanting to let go of their youthful crush, there’s still a desire to see that person once more.

Brocade City

Early in the morning, Ian Coldwell carried a painting by Wu Daozi to visit a highly respected elder in Brocade City. This elder is an expert in treasure appraisal who worked at the Imperial City Museum years ago, handling countless treasures, especially renowned for painting appraisal. Recently, due to old age, he returned to Brocade City to retire.

Although Ian Coldwell wasn’t someone who loved paintings obsessively, his original wife truly was a painting enthusiast. The hidden truth behind the Coldwell Family’s fortune includes how, during an economic crisis, the family almost collapsed until his wife brought a substantial dowry into the family, helping them through tough times.

To express his gratitude, Ian Coldwell converted funds into thirty percent of the Coldwell Clan’s shares and transferred them to her name. They spent loving years together, but as time passed, feelings faded, Ian Coldwell became obsessed with power and wealth, while his wife focused on paintings, and they gradually grew apart. Ian Coldwell’s only habit formed was collecting paintings.

He perhaps thought possessing famous paintings would make him elegant and refined, shedding the ordinary and mercenary nature of a businessman.

Upon arriving at the elder’s residence, Ian Coldwell paid his respects first before presenting the painting for appraisal. The elder was a treasure appraisal enthusiast, and when coldly learning about the Wu Daozi painting, he was shocked, unable to believe it, calling it a national treasure. There aren’t any genuine works of the painting saint left, except for those smuggled abroad years ago. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

When did Ian Coldwell get his hands on such a treasure?

"Quickly, let me see it." The elder said, trembling, and rushed to find his reading glasses.

The elder focused entirely on studying and appraising the painting, while Ian Coldwell waited nervously, nearly falling asleep, from morning until noon. Finally, he heard the elder take a long breath, slumping in his chair, almost exhausted, crying out, "It’s genuine! In my lifetime, I get to see a genuine work of the painting saint."

With those words, he fainted.

Frightened, Ian Coldwell quickly stored the painting, called for an ambulance, and performed first aid, barely managing to help the elder recover. With weak steps, Ian Coldwell held the painting close and ran back to the Coldwell residence.

It truly is genuine, and given the elder’s excitement, fainting from it, it must be priceless, and henceforth it becomes the Coldwell Family’s heirloom.

Ian Coldwell’s heart was ablaze, thinking of the ten billion dowry and the European market, all within reach.

Running excitedly to the Coldwell residence, Griffith Squire had already had breakfast with Aurora Coldwell and was walking by the artificial lake. Although winter didn’t bring spring flowers, the frost-covered plum blossoms, pine trees, and bamboo were still impressive in character and taste.

The Coldwell residence was now occupied by him, Aurora Coldwell, and Butler Zhao—no one came to pay New Year’s respects on the first day of the New Year, leaving Griffith Squire to wander the property.

Butler Zhao stood at the door early, surprised to see Ian Coldwell’s car arrive, and ran towards the artificial lake, finding Griffith Squire and Aurora Coldwell, excitedly reporting in a lowered voice, "Mr. Squire, Mr. Coldwell indeed came."

Griffith Squire smiled slightly, oh, the fish has taken the bait.