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

on his neck like ropes, “Shut it, you nosy woman.

a shame! If only I’d arrived sooner… But a fake’s a fake, and no amount

the deal was done, the buyer assumed

laughing stock for not spotting

shock, “Bainbridge, thanks for bidding high.

face and the taste of blood filling his mouth. His

“Mr. Bainbridge!”

don’t scare me! Call an

a laugh. “Ha! He’s passed out from

austerity adding an

demeanor.

auction

chattering

to the fake, everyone would’ve admired his grace. But passing out from anger? How

with pride, “Howard is different.”

Gwendolyn agreed wholeheartedly.

driver to take you home,” Howard