The auction was halfway through when a hostess carefully stepped on stage to present a traditional Chinese painting.
The auctioneer announced loudly, "Ladies and gentlemen, this piece, ’Ink Frost Charm,’ is the final work of our nation’s renowned modern artist, Mr. Fabian Vance. It is also a masterpiece from the peak of his artistic maturity! Any connoisseurs of traditional Chinese painting must not miss this opportunity!"
Upon hearing this, Sienna’s interest was immediately piqued. Her grandfather had been a top-tier traditional painter, and many who offered fortunes for a piece of his work were turned away. It was fair to say she had grown up surrounded by such paintings.
And this Mr. Fabian Vance had been one of her grandfather’s friends.
Sienna Everett looked over with keen interest, but after a single glance, her brows knitted together slightly.
Julian Forrester noticed her expression and couldn’t help but ask, "What’s wrong?"
Sienna Everett sighed softly. "This painting is a forgery."
What?
A forgery?
Samuel Sutton, who was standing nearby, heard her and looked over in disbelief. "Miss Everett, how... how could it be a forgery?"
’Never mind that this was one of the largest and most reputable auction houses in the country.’
’Every single item was appraised by dedicated professionals before it even reached the auction block.’
’The possibility of a forgery was minuscule.’
Sienna Everett blinked, her eyes clear and bright, and said crisply, "This ’Ink Frost Charm’ is definitely a forgery."
Samuel Sutton couldn’t help but ask, "Miss Everett, are you an expert in art appraisal?"
Sienna Everett replied casually, "I know a thing or two."
A bewildered Samuel Sutton scratched his head, then turned to Julian Forrester, awaiting his orders.
Julian Forrester gave Sienna Everett a profound look, believing her without a shred of doubt. He gestured for Samuel Sutton to handle the situation.
Orders received, Samuel Sutton left the private room, his mind a whirl of shock and doubt.
「Backstage at the auction.」
Samuel Sutton found Manager Jennings of the auction house and told him about the forgery.
The Forresterer Group held shares in this auction house.
That was why the managers had greeted Julian Forrester so respectfully upon his arrival; he was essentially their boss.
After listening to Samuel Sutton, Manager Jennings burst out laughing. "Special Assistant Sutton, you must be joking. How could it be a fake painting? All our items are professionally appraised and have certificates of authenticity. We wouldn’t dare auction them otherwise."
Samuel Sutton was at a loss for words. "I’m not joking. Someone just said that the painting on stage right now is a fake."
Seeing how dead serious he was, Manager Jennings stopped laughing, his brow furrowed. "Samuel Sutton, who told you the painting is a fake?"
Samuel Sutton gestured toward the private room on the second floor. "Her. The one who was just in a bidding war with Wyatt Everett—Miss Sienna Everett."
’Manager Jennings knew who Sienna Everett was. She’d come with Mr. Forrester, who was taking very good care of her. It was clear their relationship was something special.’
But...
Manager Jennings was skeptical. "She’s just a young girl. How could she tell if the painting is real or fake? Don’t tell me she’s just pulling my leg."
’Truthfully, Samuel Sutton didn’t understand it either, but Mr. Forrester had believed Sienna Everett unconditionally. Whatever she said, he accepted. His indulgence toward her was absolute.’
On stage, the auctioneer finished his introduction and was about to open the bidding.
Samuel Sutton clicked his tongue. "Zane, just forget whether it’s real or not for a moment. Get someone to pull that painting down, and fast. If it gets sold and is later discovered to be a forgery, what will happen to the auction house’s reputation?"
Manager Jennings glanced toward the private room on the second floor, clearly still hesitating.
’A clueless young girl... can her words really be trusted?’
’Is she just using Mr. Forrester’s indulgence to cause trouble?’
’This painting is guaranteed to fetch at least thirty million. Withdrawing it now would mean a significant loss.’
Seeing his hesitation, Samuel Sutton gave him an anxious push. "Zane, get going! This is what Mr. Forrester wants!"
The mention of Julian Forrester’s name spurred Manager Jennings into action. He dared not delay further, though his tone remained unconvinced. "If that’s what Mr. Forrester wants, I’ll have the auctioneer withdraw it immediately. I’ll also be calling in a few more art appraisers for another evaluation."
’Hmph. He’d see for himself if this painting was really a forgery. And if it wasn’t, he was going to have a long talk with this Miss Everett.’
Samuel Sutton returned to the private room on the second floor.
"Mr. Forrester, it’s been handled," Samuel Sutton said, glancing down at the auction floor. "The painting has been taken down and replaced with the next item."
Sienna Everett looked at Julian Forrester, the corners of her bright eyes curving upward. "You trust my word just like that?"
Julian Forrester leisurely refilled her cup of tea. "Of course, I do."
Hearing his certain response, Sienna Everett’s eyes danced playfully, a mischievous glint in their depths. "You’re not afraid I was just talking nonsense?"
Hearing this, the man shot her a glance. He leaned back, lounging against the chair, and his long, pale fingers tapped twice on the tabletop. "So what if you were?"
Sienna Everett froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. "If I was just making it up, withdrawing that painting means a huge financial loss."
Julian Forrester’s eyebrow arched almost imperceptibly. "It’s nothing," he said, completely unfazed.
Meeting his dark, profound gaze, Sienna Everett felt her heart skip a beat and she looked away, flustered.
Samuel Sutton, witnessing this, was practically dumbstruck.
’Was Mr. Forrester really just letting Miss Everett get her way, indulging her every whim?’
’It felt like his boss was well on his way to becoming one of those foolish kings from the history books, utterly besotted.’
「About twenty minutes later.」
Sienna Everett was watching the auction proceedings on the first floor.
Manager Jennings suddenly arrived at their private room with several professional art appraisers in tow and knocked respectfully.
Samuel Sutton glanced outside and reported in a low voice to Julian Forrester, "Mr. Forrester, Manager Jennings is here."
"Let him in," the man said in a deep voice.
Permission granted, Manager Jennings entered with a beaming smile, the art appraisers trailing behind him. "Mr. Forrester, Miss Everett, I hope we’re not disturbing you."
Samuel Sutton, having a good idea why they were there, asked with immense curiosity, "So, did you figure out if it’s authentic?"
"Yes," Manager Jennings said, beaming at Sienna Everett, who was still seated. "Miss Everett here is truly amazing. We had eight art appraisers examine it carefully, and they’ve confirmed it—the painting really is a fake!"
Julian Forrester was not surprised by this result.
Samuel Sutton, however, was so shocked his jaw dropped.
Manager Jennings looked rather sheepish. "We’d had this painting appraised before, and no one ever spotted it as a forgery. Even today, we brought in eight art appraisers, and only two of the masters were able to identify it as a fake. This painting... it’s an incredibly convincing replica."
Hearing this, Samuel Sutton grew even more astonished.
’Only two out of eight appraisers saw it was fake, and only after a careful, twenty-minute examination. And yet, Miss Everett had known with a single glance.’
’Th-this...’
Samuel Sutton couldn’t help but look in Sienna Everett’s direction. ’Good heavens, Miss Everett is absolutely incredible!’
’No wonder Mr. Forrester trusted her so completely!’
Just moments before, Manager Jennings had been inwardly fuming, thinking Sienna Everett was just some clueless girl being spoiled by Mr. Forrester. Now, his attitude had done a complete one-eighty. He was utterly and completely convinced.
After all, if that forgery had been sold and later exposed, the auction house’s reputation would have been destroyed.
"Miss Everett, thank you so much!"