Chapter 3 Chapter 3 Fireheart Gem

Rufus von Alding went through the revolving door of the Sawood Hotel in London and then into the reception hall.The receptionist came forward to greet you politely. "It is a pleasure to receive you, Herr von Alding." The millionaire nodded nonchalantly. "Is it all done?" he asked. "Well, Mr. Major Knighton is waiting for you upstairs in your room." Von Alden nodded again. "Is there a letter?" "It's all taken upstairs. Oh, I'm sorry, but please wait." He picked another letter from the pile of letters. "This is the letter that just came."

Rufus von Alding took the letter.When he saw that the letter was written in a woman's handwriting, his demeanor suddenly changed, the serious expression on his face disappeared immediately, and he became a completely different person.He took the letter upstairs, with an uncontrollable smile on his face. In his room a young man was sitting at a desk reading a newspaper.Seeing Rufus von Alding enter, he got up immediately. "Hello, Knighton." "You are very glad to be back in London again. How are you doing in Paris, sir?" "So-so," said the millionaire absently. "Paris has become very small. I can have anything I want."

"You're always like this," said his secretary, a broad smile on his face. "Of course," added the millionaire.The attitude is indifferent, as usual when doing business. "Is there anything urgent?" "It's nothing. It's just that there are some things that I haven't had time to arrange." Von Alden nodded.He is a man who does not give praise and blame lightly, and his approach to his staff is simple.He likes to show his face in front of everyone, and he will get out without hesitation when encountering unsatisfactory things.He also had his own unusual way of choosing his subordinates.Take Knighton, for example, who he met two months ago in a rest home in Switzerland.He liked the man better, even though Knighton was limping a bit from a war injury.It was then that Knighton frankly asked von Alding to help him find a job.The past haunted von Alden's mind again: when the young man heard that von Alden had hired him as his personal secretary, he was almost speechless in astonishment.

"I don't have practical experience in business," Knighton said at the time, stuttering. "That doesn't bother me," replied von Alding. "I already have three private secretaries. Considering that I may be in England for six months, I need an Englishman. He will have good connections and a talent for respectable company." Until now, von Arden has no regrets about his choice.Knighton is smart, quick and sweet. The secretary pointed to three or four letters nearby. "These letters require your perusal, sir!" said Knighton, "because they relate to the transaction with Colton."

However, von Alding made a gesture and swore: "I will never look at these things tonight. I will talk about them tomorrow, and this one is a different story." Von Alding pointed to the letter in his hand.The smile came to his face again, it was a completely different expression. Richard Knighton smiled and nodded. "Is it a letter from Ms. Kaitlin?" He murmured, "I called you yesterday and today, maybe I have something important to tell you." "Really?" The smile immediately disappeared from the millionaire's face.He opened the letter and glanced at the contents.His face was covered with cloud for an instant, serious wrinkles appeared on the corners of his mouth, and his brows were furrowed tightly.Knighton went back to his work.Long-suppressed anger erupted from the millionaire.He only heard a "bang", and he clenched his fist and slammed it on the table.

"I will never allow that!" he murmured. "Poor girl! Well, you have your old father behind you." Von Alden walked up and down the room with heavy steps.Then he stopped and picked up the overcoat he was wearing when he entered the room and threw it on the chair. "Are you going out again, sir?" "To my daughter." "If Colton calls..." "Just say, let him go to hell!" "Yes!" the secretary replied blankly. Von Alding put his hat on his head and went out of the door. Holding the doorknob and looking back, he said: "You are a good man, Knighton. You do not disturb me. I am not very happy."

Knighton smiled, but said nothing. "Ruth is my only child," said von Alden. "No one will know what she means to me." A smile spread across Von Alden's cheeks, and he reached into his pocket. "Would you like to see it, Knighton?" Von Arden turned and approached the secretary, and took out a blue paper packet from his pocket.When he tore off the outer layer of paper, a velvet box was revealed, and in the middle of the lid was a crown made of velvet.He opened the box and the secretary almost held his breath.A few crimson gemstones shone on a somewhat stained white background.

"Oh, God!" Knighton exclaimed, "This is, is this the original?" Von Alden laughed. "Your surprise does not surprise me. Among these gems is the largest one in the world, the Russian Empress Katharina (referring to the Russian Empress Yekaterina Alexeyevna Ka The one worn by Tarina II). The 'Fire Heart Gem' in the middle is it. It is extremely precious, and it is the only treasure in the world." "But," said the secretary, "these gems must be valued?" "Probably worth four hundred thousand or five hundred thousand dollars," said von Alden without thinking.

"It is fully in line with the historical value of this treasure." "You put such an expensive thing in your pocket casually and take it with you?" Von Alden smiled mysteriously. "Now I understand why Ms. Kaitlyn was so agitated on the phone." Von Alding shook his head, his expression became serious again. "You're mistaken," he said. "She doesn't know about it yet. I was trying to cheer her up." He closed the box and slowly wrapped it up. "It is painful, Knighton, when a man does too little for the one he loves. I could buy Ruth half the world if I had to, but it is not necessary. I It could be worn around her neck and she'd be blissfully blissful for a while, but..."

He shook his head again. "If a woman's marriage is unhappy..." Von Alding paused.The secretary nodded silently.Nobody knew Derek Kettering's reputation better than he did.Von Alding sighed, put his things back into his pockets, nodded to the secretary and left the room.