Mrs. Moore

Gift shopping for Master Smith

Natalie nodded and replied somewhat embarrassed, “I don’t know much about antiques, especially Chinese antiques, so there’s no way I can pick out something good. Since you have some knowledge on this, could you please help me out?”

“It would be my honour!” Theodore said with a squint. “What are you thinking of getting Old Master Smith?”

“Hmm… Maybe a calligraphy painting? Anything else will do too.. My grandpa is good at calligraphy as well. Oh! Actually his interests are roughly similar to my maternal grandfather’s.”

Natalie figured that saying this would give Theodore a better idea of her grandfather’s preferences.

As expected, Theodore nodded. “Zachary!” he summoned his assistant.

Very quickly, Zachary walked out and headed towards them, trying his best not to look at Natalie.

“How can I help, sir?” Zachary asked.

“Have Mr. Qin bring out those antiques.”

“Sir…” Zachary looked at Theodore in surprise then he couldn’t help but glance over at Natalie.

Natalie didn’t know what they were talking about, so she just gave Zachary a friendly smile.

The moment Theodore frowned, Zachary was so scared that he straightened up and shifted his gaze from Natalie. “Alright, I’ll do it now!”

Zachary mumbled in his heart, these antiques had been kept for so long under his orders. They’re all pretty much the collections of famous artists! Yet, he’s asking for them to be shown to her now…

Zachary dared not make his boss wait. He immediately informed Mr. Qin and the staff about this. When he came back out, he saw Theodore and Natalie casually leaning against the wall.

“The preparations are complete, sir” he said with a nervous look on his face.

Theodore nodded and beckoned Natalie to follow him inside. “Come on in!”

Natalie quickly followed, looking around in surprise as they entered an antique room. She had thought that all the antiques outside already looked incredible, but these items were on another level.

Theodore naturally noticed Natalie’s expression and smiled. He raised his hand, asking Zachary and Mr. Qin to leave the room. Zachary and Mr. Qin glanced at each other, then immediately went outside, carefully closing the door behind them.

Natalie was so absorbed by the antiques in here that she didn’t notice them leave.

Theodore smiled lightly as he leaned against a table. With one hand on the table to support him, he stared deeply at Natalie’s side profile with his dark-colored eyes.

Natalie looked around the room, seeing a piece of calligraphy she turned to Theodore and said suspiciously, “My grandpa has this piece by Zhang Xu.” As she spoke, she looked into Theodore’s deep eyes and couldn’t help but quiver inside.

She averted her gaze as her face burned slightly. “Huh? Where did the assistant and shopkeeper go?”

“See something you like?” Theodore evaded her question.

Natalie bit her lip, seeing that she failed to change the topic. There was a look of embarrassment on her face, but she shook her head. “No. I don’t understand these things very much. Why don’t you suggest something, Mr. Moore?”

Theodore’s lips formed a smile. It was just a small curl of his lips, but Natalie caught sight of it. Astonishment flashed across Natalie Smith’s eyes, but she quickly suppressed it. “Mr. Moore?”

“Sure!” There was but a very slight hint of emotion in Theodore’s low voice.

Theodore looked around and his gaze finally settled on a chessboard on the table. Unlike any other chessboard, this one was made of clear jade.

Touching the chessboard and tracing the marks on it with his slender fingers, he asked, “Does the old gentleman like playing chess?”

Natalie followed Theodore’s fingers and caught sight of the chessboard. Her eyes widened in awe, but it wasn’t long until she said, “Maybe something else.”

She liked it, but surely it was extremely expensive, especially since it was an antique.

A sharp glint flashed across Theodore’s eyes as his gaze landed on Natalie’s face. Natalie clearly looked overjoyed, yet she was saying the complete opposite of how she felt!

His eyes scanned her face as he continued, “Alright, then how about this painting? Or maybe this brush?”

As Theodore introduced several items to Natalie, she took a look at each of them before eventually deciding on the brush. Her grandpa Smith enjoyed calligraphy and was good at it himself.

Giving him this calligraphy brush as a gift was perfect. Moreover, this brush was probably not as expensive as some other antiques here.

Natalie was a director in M.X-Enterprise but she was still young and had many expenses to cover since she lived on her own. Furthermore, thanks to her fight with Xander, Natalie could rely on nobody else but herself at the moment.

She had to save up to buy a car and house eventually. Even if she didn’t have a man, she could at least still rely on herself!

Theodore saw clearly through Natalie’s thoughts. After she chose her gift, Theodore called Zachary and Mr. Qin back in. “Wrap this up for Ms. Smith!”

Mr. Qin looked towards the direction in which Theodore had pointed and froze. “This…”

“Is there a problem?” Natalie asked when she saw how stumped Mr. Qin looked. “Has someone else already shown interest in buying it?”

Mr. Qin took a deep breath and said with a pained look on his face, “Not at all, Ms. Smith. If this is what you want, I’ll have it packed immediately for you.” He then gave Theodore another glance.

Yet, Theodore didn’t even notice the man looking at him. His eyes were fixated on Natalie. Mr. Qin had no choice but to pick up the brush and have his staff pack it up.

Natalie just realized that she hadn’t inquired about the price of the brush. “Erm… How much for the brush, Mr. Qin?”

Just as Mr. Qin was about to speak, he saw Theodore staring coldly at him. His chest tightened and he quickly let out a nervous laugh “Don’t worry! It doesn’t cost much!”

Theodore retracted his gaze then looked at Natalie from above, giving her a slight sense of oppression. “Let Zachary take care of the bill..” he said with a clear voice. “Since I’ve just helped you a great deal, do you not intend to return the favour, Ms. Smith?”

“…” Natalie looked up towards Theodore and noticed how seriously he was gazing at her, as though he wasn’t joking at all. She suddenly felt pressured and blurted “Then shall I treat you to a meal?”

Theodore smiled again “Since you insist, then I’ll graciously accept.” he said and walked outside.

‘Was I insisting?’

Natalie froze for a moment, feeling like something wasn’t right. ”I haven’t paid yet, Mr. Moore!”

“Go on ahead Ms. Smith, I’ll take care of things here since I still have to stay behind and help him look around!” Zachary said thoughtfully.

“Then…” Natalie still looked hesitant.

“I’ll come over with your gift along with the bill later!”

Since Zachary had said it, there was nothing else Natalie could do. So she followed Theodore out in a daze.

Only after Natalie had left did Zachary turn to Mr. Qin and say “Please keep whatever Mr. Moore had asked for. As for Natalie’s item, just name any price and put it on Mr. Moore’s tab.”

Zachary felt like he had given his all to do his job well, as Theodore’s assistant. He was even clear about his boss’ thoughts.

“But…” Mr. Qin still hesitated. “That brush is…” He thought for a moment and looked at Zachary. “How is this Ms. Smith related to Mr. Moore?”

That brush was extremely pricey!

Keeping his expressions in check Zachary said with a smile, “It’s better if you don’t ask about things you shouldn’t know. Are you intending to pry into Mr. Moore’s private life?”

“N-no.. Not at…”

“Alright, hurry up and pack the brush!” Zachary said, putting an end to their conversation.