Save Myself from Desperation by Cara Agnes

Chapter 214

Joseph rose from the sofa, asking, “Noah, what painting did you receive again?”

Noah quickly motioned for his assistant to come forward.

The assistant carefully held a box and opened the lid, revealing an ancient painting inside.

“Ms. Ramos, sorry for the sudden intrusion.” Noah took the painting from his assistant and approached Ashley. “Our auction house’s eight appraisers couldn’t determine its authenticity. So, we brought it to you for a look.”

Ashley’s grandfather, a former top-tier master in landscape oil painting. created notable works and amassed a collection of renowned artwork Growing up surrounded by paintings, she developed a deep love and profound understanding of oil painting under his guidance.

Upon seeing the painting in Noah’s hands, Ashley walked over.

It was a masterpiece titled Moon in the Mountains by the artistic genius. Thomas Willis..

The painting exhibited signs of aging, displaying a distinguished patina and visible craquelure, and it was on a linen canvas.

Joseph clicked his tongue and said, “This painting looks old. If it’s a real deal by Thomas, it must be worth at least 20 million dollars.”

Noah frowned, “In theory, yes, but our appraisers couldn’t confirm its. authenticity. Ms. Ramos, what do you think?”

Ashley stared at it for a while and shook her head. “It’s fake.”

“What? Ashley, how did you figure that out so quickly?” Joseph was astonished.

Ashley smiled slightly as she explained, “Although this painting looks old, you can tell it’s deliberately aged by examining the canvas.”

Joseph was

“The lines of the mountain peaks here don’t align with Thomas’ typical style of depiction. Also, look at the blue here. It should blend slate and

09-25

Chapter 214

than usual,

slate and azure was basically Thomas’ signature.

likely a modern imitation deliberately aged using varnishes or glazes to simulate the effect and

in amazement. “Ashley, you’re

this? I didn’t even realize there was so

“Thank you, Ms. Ramos. With your explanation, I

smiled, “You’re welcome.”

courteous words before

curious child, Joseph circled around Ashley. “Ashley,

painting?”

to paint and taught

her grandparents. Otherwise, growing up in an

can you paint too?”

hide it, responding calmly.

raised his eyebrows. “I don’t

suddenly dinged as Joseph talked, and he received a news. notification.

glance quickly and put the phone away, but the headline

expression and asked, “What’s

annoyed, saying, “Why is there so much fake news these

was puzzled and thought, ‘What?