HLM – Chapter 999 The Ruby

Wang Bo received the message while filling out forms at the Ministry of Environment.

“Hello, this is Wang Bo from Sunset Town. Who am I speaking with?”

“My name is Zheng Jinyuan, Mayor Wang. You’re going to pay for my car! Your dog tore my car apart!”

“What the hell, are you out of your mind? You’ve got the wrong number.” Wang Bo assumed it was someone trying to make trouble, so he hung up immediately.

The call came back: “Your dog, along with a pack of other dogs, ruined my car! It’s a Maybach! A Maybach worth over ten million! Just you wait, how dare you hang up on me! Hey! Hey! Hey? You hung up again?!”

Wang Bo didn’t hang up this time and slipped the phone into his pocket. He didn’t mind letting the harassment call ring; after all, it wasn’t costing him anything.

He was used to prank calls like this. Some people claimed they were scared by Wang Bo’s dog Zhuang Ding and wanted him to be responsible; others threatened him, citing laws against keeping ferocious animals. For such behavior, all he wanted to say was: “Can you at least use your brain before bothering me?”

Then, Atulu called: “Boss, someone reported an incident, but I’m not sure if we should accept it.”

“What’s going on?”

“It’s Zhuang Ding. Zhuang Ding, along with a pack of dogs, damaged a car.”

Wang Bo was stunned. “What? He damaged a car? And he brought other dogs with him? Tell me exactly what happened. Why would Zhuang Ding do this?!”

He recalled the previous call. It wasn’t a prank—the car really had been damaged. But Wang Bo was certain Zhuang Ding wouldn’t cause trouble for no reason. After all, this was a Spirit Dog with a Level 2 Soul, and he had raised Zhuang Ding for over four years without a single incident.

Atulu sent him a video recorded from the surveillance system. It showed Zhuang Ding silently approaching a Maybach with a pack of dogs, biting, clawing, and tearing it apart until it was wrecked.

After sending the video, Atulu called again: “Boss, the guy is relentless. He wants us to file a case and catch the dog for compensation.”

“What’s the reason? Has it been investigated?”

“Not yet. The man claims he has no connection with Zhuang Ding; the dog and its pack just messed with him.”

“Keep investigating. There has to be a reason. If he won’t admit it, let it be for now.”

Meanwhile, Zheng Jinyuan nearly lost his mind. At the police station, he raged: “This dog belongs to your mayor! Don’t think I don’t know! If a dog causes damage, the owner is responsible! If you don’t file a case, I’ll complain to the embassy!”

Atulu, a competent officer though timid, remained calm and polite. In New Zealand, patience mattered more than courage or strength. With a smile on his round face, he said, “Mr. Zheng, please calm down. This is a police station; we handle human matters. For dog-related issues, perhaps you should contact the animal protection association?”

“Animal protection association my ass! I’m the one who should be protected! My car! A rented Maybach! Do you know how much a Maybach costs? That dog destroyed my Maybach!”

“Alright, do you have any evidence?” Atulu continued smiling. “Also, Mr. Zheng, I must remind you again, this is a police station. We don’t handle dog matters—only human ones.”

“The evidence is that I saw it! That damn dog destroyed my car! Maybach! Do you know how much it costs to repair? This car is worth more than your lives…”

Officer Bing slammed the table, standing up. “Sir, everything you say is being recorded. Please watch your words. Your behavior has already insulted us.”

Zheng Jinyuan froze, suddenly realizing he had been shouting in Chinese, and the fat officer was also responding in Chinese.

Atulu still smiled: “Sir, why don’t you focus on repairing your car first? Do you want me to call your insurance company?”

Zheng Jinyuan looked desperate. “I don’t need you to call them! Damn it, I already did. The insurance company said they won’t cover this! They don’t believe me!”

“In that case, you’re out of luck.” Atulu looked at him with sympathy.

Later, Conley flagged them to check a forum post. It was published by a local resident, showing Zheng Jinyuan threatening Chen Luoxian and kicking Zhuang Ding. Now it made sense—Zhuang Ding and his pack were taking revenge.

Uncle Bing sighed: “Zhuang Ding really has a loyal pack of dog brothers!”

When Wang Bo received the news, he laughed. He had suspected Zhuang Ding wouldn’t act without reason. However, since the car was damaged, he decided to negotiate compensation with the owner.

Atulu then sent him another video, this one showing Zheng Jinyuan insulting Chen Luoxian, also recorded via the surveillance system. Wang Bo now fully appreciated the power of the surveillance system and the audacity of scoundrels—Zheng Jinyuan got what he deserved. He told Atulu not to handle it; he would deal with the matter himself.

He didn’t have time for this anyway. He was about to enter the hotel where the auction was taking place. He had already spotted Gregoire Lair, the Christie’s art director he had met once before.

Christie’s autumn auction was one of the two most important annual sales, the other being the spring auction. By timing, this one was technically a spring auction, as it was spring in the northern hemisphere. But since New Zealand is in the southern hemisphere, it was still called the autumn auction.

These auctions were excellent opportunities for networking.

Wang Bo hadn’t expected he had some fame; after Lair escorted him into the exhibition hall, people immediately greeted him.

He wasn’t a collector and had no interest in art pieces. Meanwhile, Eva wandered around the exhibition and paused at one display case, looking twice.

Wang Bo noticed immediately. He walked over and saw a set of jewelry: bracelets, a necklace, and anklets.

The set was crafted from finely carved rubies set in ultra-thin platinum. One earring was shaped like a willow leaf, the other a small flower bud—delicate and enchanting.

“It suits you perfectly,” Wang Bo said.

He meant it sincerely, not as flattery. The rubies complemented Eva’s fair, delicate skin—a perfect match.

As if they were an old married couple, Eva didn’t protest. “If the price is right, should we get it?”

Wang Bo replied, “I’ll get it for you, no matter the price.”

“Mayor Wang, you’re so generous!” A slightly familiar voice rang behind him. “Looks like this set is already reserved.”