Save Myself from Desperation by Cara Agnes

Chapter 16
Halfway through the auction, a hostess cautiously took the stage to present a landscape oil painting.
The auctioneer announced loudly, “Ladies and gentlemen, this piece, Whispers of Frost, is the final masterpiece of the renowned modern artist, Mr. Simon Hunt. It is also the pinnacle of Mr. Hunt’s artistic skills! This is a must-have for lovers of landscape oil paintings!”
Ashley immediately perked up upon hearing this. She pondered, ‘Grandpa was a top-tier landscape oil painter. Many people were willing to spend a fortune on his paintings but were turned away. I essentially grew up surrounded by landscape oil paintings. And Mr. Hunt was one of Grandpa’s good friends.
Ashley looked over with great interest, but after just one glance, her brow furrowed slightly..
Valentin noticed her expression and couldn’t help but ask, “What’s wrong?”
Ashley sighed softly, “This painting is a fake.”
Valentin thought in shock, ‘What? It was a fake painting?”
eyes
Tom, who was nearby, also widened his in disbelief. “Ms. Ramos how can this be a fake painting?”
He pondered, ‘Not to mention that the venue of this auction is extremel reputable and one of the largest in the country. Considering the items being auctioned, professionals thoroughly authenticate each one before being put up for auction. The likelihood of it being a fake is incredibly slim.
Ashley blinked, her eyes clear and resolute, and she stated, “This “Whispers of Frost’ is indeed a fake one.”
Tom couldn’t help but ask, “Ms. Ramos, are you knowledgeable in art. appraisal?”
Ashley replied casually, “Fairly so.”
Tom scratched his head in confusion, turned to Valentin, and waited for his instructions.
Valentin, with deep eyes, glanced at Ashley and immediately believed.
Chapter 16

her. He gestured for Tom with a wave to handle the situation.
Still filled with doubts and surprise, Tom left the private room as instructed.
Tom then went to the auction’s backstage, found Noah Palmer, the auction manager, and informed him about the suspected fake painting. The Kingsley Group held shares in this auction house.
Therefore, when Valentin arrived, several of the auction’s managers greeted him with utmost respect, essentially welcoming their own boss. Upon hearing Tom’s explanation, Noah couldn’t help but laugh. “Mr. Shaw, you must be joking. How can it be a fake painting? Our items are professionally authenticated and come with certificates. We wouldn’t dare to auction anything without such certificate.”
Tom was at a loss for words and insisted, “I’m not joking with you. Someone just said that the painting on stage right now is fake.”
Seeing Tom’s serious face, Noah’s smile faded, and his brow furrowed. “Tom, who told you this painting is fake?”
Tom pointed toward the private room on the second floor. “There, Ms. Ramos, who was bidding against Jeremy just now.”
Noah thought, ‘I know this Ashley. She came to the auction with Mr. Kingsley. He seems to take great care of her, and they appear to have a close relationship. But…
Noah was skeptical. “Can a young girl like Ashley really discern the authenticity of this painting? She’s not just pulling my leg, is she?”
Tom pondered, ‘Honestly, I don’t understand it either, but Mr. Kingsley has absolute trust in whatever Ashley says. He indulges her to the
extreme.’
As the auctioneer on stage finished the detailed presentation and was about to start the bidding, Tom clicked his tongue and urged, “Noah, not matter whether it’s real or fake, you need to have the painting removed. immediately. What will happen to our auction house’s reputation if it turns out to be a counterfeit after being sold?”
Noah glanced toward the private room and was still hesitant.
He pondered, ‘Can I really take the word of this young girl who knows
Chapter 16
nothing? Is she just intentionally causing trouble because of Mr. Kingsley’s indulgence? This painting could fetch at least six million dollars today. Removing it now would mean a significant loss.
Seeing Noah’s inaction, Tom urged him anxiously, “Hurry up, Noah. This is Mr. Kingsley’s order!”
Hearing Valentin’s name, Noah didn’t dare delay any longer, though his tone was still reluctant. “If it’s Mr. Kingsley’s order, then I’ll have someone notify the auctioneer to remove the painting and call in a few more appraisers for a re-appraisal.”
Noah thought, ‘Hmph, I want to see for myself whether this painting is a fake or not. If it turns out not to be, I’ll have a word with this Ms. Ramos.
Tom then returned to the private room on the second floor.
“Mr. Kingsley, the matter has been taken care of,” Tom reported, glancing at the situation in the hall. “The painting has been removed and replaced with a new item.”
Ashley turned to look at Valentin and smiled, “You really trust me that much?”
Valentin slowly poured her another cup of coffee. “Of course I do.”
Upon hearing his affirmative response Ashley rolled her eyes playfully and looked at him mischievously. “Aren’t you afraid I was just making things up?”
Upon hearing her words, Valentin glanced at her, leaning back lazily in his chair, his pale and slender fingers tapping lightly on the table. “Even if it was made up, so be it.”
Ashley was momentarily stunned, and her eyes widened in disbelief. “If I was making it up, withdrawing that painting from the auction could have. caused a significant financial loss.”
Valentin’s brows lifted imperceptibly, and he appeared seemingly unconcerned. “So what?”
Meeting his intense, deep gaze, Ashley felt an inexplicable flutter in her heart and uncomfortably shifted her gaze away.
Tom was shocked when he saw this scene.
He thought, ‘Is Mr. Kingsley really just indulging Ms. Ramos’ whims to