The Understated Dragon Lord

Chapter 44 The Secret of the Painting

As Nicholas shook his head in regret, he handed the magnifying glass over to Brittany, urging her to take a look for herself. When she peered through it, an amused smile spread across her face. The paint depicted a hen pecking at com, its neck bent askew, its wings broken. The amateurish artwork was worse than a grade–schooler’s. Indeed, it was a waste to have such a creation on the high–quality Golden Paper.

“So with this com–eating hen painted on it, how much is this Golden Paper worth now?” Brittany asked

curiously.

he turned to Jessica with a chuckle, offering a deal. “Jessica, the land on Windows Street has tripled in value. If you sell it to me at the price from three years ago, you’d be at a loss. How about this: I’ll

need to look closer! I’ve revealed half the true face of this painting,

are you saying? You’re saying I misunderstood?” Nicholas picked up the painting again and examined it closely. After confirming his initial assessment, he said, “This time, I’m absolutely certain I’m not mistaken! This painting is by a nobody, just some careless doodle on Golden Paper. It has no artistic value and is a waste of fine Golden Paper! However, judging by the quality and sheen of this Golden Paper, it must be from the 18th century. If even a lesser–known artist from that century had randomly scribbled a few strokes on it, it’d be worth at least a hundred million. Golden Paper paintings are exceedingly rare, and if the artwork has some artistic value, this piece could fetch

auction.”

an item, an art treasure, only to realize that its value was squandered, was painful to witness. If this Golden Paper painting were truly

as he picked

you doing? Who gave