The Understated Dragon Lord

Chapter 432: The Decline of The Matthews

Leo had paid a hefty sum for the painting "Gray Tree," and after countless inspections, he was confident it was the real deal—an authentic Piet Mondrian.

Fuming yet certain, he turned to Gary Smart.

"Gary, you saw this Mondrian's 'Gray Tree' last time you dropped by," Leo mentioned pointedly. "You declared it genuine, willing to shell out fifty million to make it yours. Though, just to be safe, you insisted on a master's appraisal first."

With a nod toward Xavier, Leo asked, "This gentleman here, he's the expert you brought along, right?"

At Leo's words, Gary beamed triumphantly. After all, the lovely Bella was watching, and he had to show off his chops. Secretly, he longed to marry Bella, the granddaughter of the Matthews clan and one of New York's top beauties.

But the Matthews wouldn't agree to marry off Bella to him, so he set his sights on Jessica, Bella's cousin. That didn't mean he would turn down a fling with Bella if the chance arose. His ultimate dream? To win over both Jessica and Bella—why choose if you don't have to?

"Do you know who this is, Leo?" Gary boasted. "This is Xavier, the chairman of the American Antiques Association and the premier appraiser in the USA!"

Gary's chest swelled with pride as he introduced Xavier.

"Xavier? You've actually managed to bring Xavier here? That’s incredible! Xavier gracing Fortune Antiques with his presence is a true honor. I've heard getting him is tougher than calling on heaven itself!"

opening he needed to

is no easy man to summon. Just last year, the Matthews family head wanted his consultation, and Xavier turned them down

darkened, and she asked

rank, have been losing influence. Otherwise, why would they fail to engage Xavier? They’re only holding onto third place because the other elite families respect the old man Matthews' dignity. Sadly, the

frustrated and

decline, their next generation not quite living up to the legacy. Bella, despite being a woman, was the most capable of her generation. And as for her father's generation, their infighting

drama unfold with hands in his pockets, amused. He was genuinely curious whether Xavier, lauded as the top appraiser in the USA, truly had the goods or was all talk. The "Gray Tree" on the table was a forgery—a very convincing one, capable of deceiving even a seasoned expert. After all, even those with real talent could

The Decline of The

had paid a hefty sum for the painting "Gray Tree," and after countless inspections, he was confident it was the

he turned to

Tree' last time you dropped by," Leo mentioned pointedly. "You declared it genuine, willing to shell out fifty million to make it yours. Though, just to be safe, you insisted on a master's

a nod toward Xavier, Leo asked, "This gentleman here, he's the expert you brought

off his chops. Secretly,

he set his sights on Jessica, Bella's cousin. That didn't mean he would turn down a fling with Bella if the chance arose. His ultimate dream? To win over both Jessica

Gary boasted. "This is Xavier, the chairman

pride