"Is it you?!"
A spark of recognition lit up in William's eyes. "So, you're the restorer my grandfather mentioned."
"Your grandfather?!"
So, the person who had asked Director Thomas to restore the vase was none other than Patriarch Grayson? That explained the extravagance.
Serena glanced beyond William. Standing behind him were Finn and a bodyguard. The bodyguard was holding a box, presumably containing the vase.
Serena's eyes lit up. "Is the vase inside that box?"
"Yes."
"May I take a look now?"
"Of course."
At William's nod, the bodyguard placed the box on the table and opened it. Inside was a vase, broken into several pieces.
Patriarch Grayson hadn't lied; this antique wasn't worth much. It could be bought for a few hundred dollars.
"Spending half a million to restore it—isn't that a bit excessive?" Serena asked.
William's lips curved slightly. "This was my grandmother's. Though it may not be valuable in monetary terms, to her it's priceless. No matter the cost, it's worth it. Otherwise, my grandfather wouldn't have searched so diligently for a restorer."
"Who would have thought..."
"Thought what?"
Serena shook her head, choosing silence. She hadn't expected the Grayson family, the most prominent family in Northspire, to be so full of love. She thought such affluent households were devoid of affection.
After all, she'd never seen love in the years she'd been around Aaron—not from his parents, nor from his friends.
Except there was one instance.
Aaron and Cynthia Lynwood.
The thought brought a self-deprecating smile to Serena's lips.
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