-Grade of Gratitude

The auction was over. The weight of history had shifted hands.

But Lex wasn't finished yet.

As the last murmurs of conversation settled. Lex reached for a small wooden box resting beside his teacup, flipping open the lid to reveal a neatly stacked collection of ivory-colored envelopes. Each was sealed with a simple ink-stamped emblem—a traditional Chinese seal bearing a single character.

The collectors watched in curious silence as Lex picked up the stack, effortlessly distributing an envelope to each guest.

Laurent Chevalier accepted his with a raised brow. "A parting gift?"

Lex smirked slightly. "A thank-you."

Kenji Sato turned the envelope in his hands, feeling the weight of the paper.

"Handwritten." His voice held a note of approval.

Jonathan blinked, more surprised than anyone. "You're giving something away for free?"

Lex ignored him as each recipient carefully broke the seal and unfolded the parchment inside.

Inside each envelope was a single piece of original calligraphy. Pen by Lex himself.

The characters were different for each guest.

For Laurent Chevalier—"时光不语, 却回答一切."

(Time speaks no words, yet answers everything.)

For Kenji Sato—"山水有情, 知音难觅."

(The mountains and rivers hold emotion, but a true kindred spirit is rare.)

For Eleanor Harrington—"见微知著."

(See the small, understand the great.)

For David Zhang—"风起云涌, 无往不胜."

(The winds rise, the clouds gather—victory is inevitable.)

For Madam Zhang—"大智若愚."

(Great wisdom appears as simplicity.)

For the Chinese Embassy rep—"水能载舟, 亦能覆舟."

(Water can carry a boat, but also overturn it.)

Each phrase had weight. Meaning.

Madam Zhang let out a rare, quiet chuckle as she traced the ink with her fingertip. "You have a good brush hand, Mr. Latham. Strong and unhesitating."

Kenji Sato studied his calligraphy piece for a long moment before nodding, a quiet glimmer of approval in his expression.

Laurent Chevalier's lips curled into a smile. "A collector offering his own work—now that is unexpected."

Lex sipped his tea. "Consider it a memory of today."

David Zhang tapped the edge of his parchment against the table, his eyes sharp. "Or a reminder of the game still ahead?"

Lex smirked, his black eyes gleaming.

"A little of both."

The Chinese Embassy representative read his note carefully.

As the collectors tucked away their calligraphy notes, Jonathan cleared his throat and straightened his clipboard.

The room was still buzzing from the night's events—the kind of energy that lingers after history is made. But there was still work to do.

"Alright, before you all leave and start calling your lawyers, let's talk next steps," Jonathan said, flipping through his notes. "Purchases, transfers, and exhibitions. This is where we get into the logistics."

Laurent Chevalier chuckled, adjusting his cuffs. "Ah, the part where the magic becomes paperwork."

Jonathan smirked. "You'd be surprised. Sometimes the paperwork is the most important part."

Madam Zhang sipped her tea, unbothered. "Proceed."

Jonathan clicked his pen and got down to business.

"First, for our private collectors—those of you who won tonight's bids—Elias Marr's office will be handling your contracts directly. You'll receive the full paperwork within twenty-four hours. If you have any special terms, you can submit them before finalization."

Eleanor Harrington raised a brow. "Including museum donations?"

Lex, who had been silent, finally spoke. "Loans and exhibitions will be reviewed separately. Private ownership doesn't guarantee display privileges."

Laurent smirked. "You like control, don't you?"

Lex's black eyes gleamed. "Always."

Jonathan nodded. "Speaking of exhibitions—those of you interested in temporary displays for the Mei Lei or Ling Jun collections, submit your formal proposals by the end of the month. Selections will be announced after review."

Kenji Sato tapped his fingers against the edge of his chair. "What about research access?"

Jonathan tilted his head. "Depends. Academic use, or private study?"

"Both."

Lex interjected smoothly. "You'll get limited access. No mass publications without approval."

Kenji gave a slow nod, satisfied.

Jonathan flipped to the next page.

"And now, for our institutional buyers—" He glanced at the Chinese Embassy representative. "—the national transfer process is already in motion. Elias will coordinate shipment and legal formalities with your office."

The representative inclined his head. "We expected no less."

Natalian Zhang tapped the table lightly. "And my family's acquisitions?"

Jonathan didn't even look up. "Handled separately. Your father will receive the updated ledgers tonight. Your grandmother's purchases will be treated as independent transactions."

Kenji Sato expression remained unreadable—carefully poured tea.