And The Daddy Is… The Infertile Guy?!

Chapter 40

“Someone must’ve lined your pockets, the way you’re talking. Grand Gavel Auction House has never once had a fake pass through its doors!” Vivien flushed a deep crimson, her voice breaking through the tense atmosphere like a siren’s wail.

Sean shook his head sadly. “The paper’s age is spot on, and the ink and inkstone are the real deal! But the painting is a forgery! The forger’s skill was so divine that it even fooled me. Just get close to the painting, take a good sniff, and you’ll catch the scent of fresh ink hidden beneath the artificial aging.”

A painting that’s been around for ages should have lost its ink fragrance long ago.

“No way!”

“Who would dare to sniff a painting that close, no wonder.”

“A fake, after all. I knew something was off with Serene Harmony vanishing from history!”

The forger was clever, using paper from the Renaissance to throw the experts off the scent.

Bainbridge felt as though he’d just had a bucket of ice water dumped over him, freezing him to his core.

“No… it can’t be!” Vivien bit her lip, her face a fiery red, “Bainbridge, don’t listen to him. This old fool…”

Π

veins bulging on his neck like ropes, “Shut it, you

shame! If only I’d arrived sooner… But a fake’s a fake, and

was done, the buyer

the laughing stock for not spotting

bidding high. The painting’s

taste of blood filling his mouth. His eyes rolled back, and

“Mr. Bainbridge!”

don’t scare me! Call an

suppressing a laugh. “Ha! He’s passed out from

and detached, his austerity adding

demeanor.

the auction house. His good mood was infectious, and she

chattering

he’d just owned up to the fake, everyone would’ve admired his

pride, “Howard is different.”

Gwendolyn agreed wholeheartedly.

take you home,” Howard said as they left the