Chapter 24
Cherished By Seven Sisters
+10 pearl’s
Chapter 24 A Gimmick
Are we so lucky that we’d score two of the best seats right next to each other? I don’t believe it. I heard the auction house predetermines who gets to sit in this row and that these seats weren’t for sale. He must be lying.
Despite Yelena’s questions, Emrys merely smiled without saying anything.
Having no way of getting any answers out of him, she decided to wait until the auction ended, then drag him to bed for a careful interrogation.
Over in the last row, several people were staring at the pair’s backs grimly. They were the same people whom Emrys had offended while attending the exhibition for Lorenzo’s private collection two nights ago.
Rowan snorted coldly and muttered, “How can he just sit there so shamelessly?”
He felt a sharp pain as he shifted in his seat uncomfortably. What’s with this sad excuse for a bench? Does it even come with long nails on its seat?
“Good day, everyone!” At that moment, the auctioneer went onstage and made a few generic opening remarks, then started to display the auction items.
The first few items were nothing special, and no one showed much interest. Everyb*dy was waiting for the grand finale.
After several rounds of bids that merely served as a prologue, the auctioneer announced, “The next item up for sale is what you all have been waiting for. It’s Mr. Emerentius‘ newest work!”
Excitement began to run high in the room.
The avid art collectors were already itching with anticipation. They could hardly wait to raise their bidding paddles and get the ball rolling.
A S**y, scantily–clad woman sashayed onto the stage while carrying the auction item.
Deliberately trying to keep the suspense, the auctioneer said, “I’m sure everyone is curious about the latest masterpiece by Mr. Emerentius. I think you’ll all be surprised when you see it.”
“Please stop with the nonsense. Hurry up and show it to us!” the crowd shouted.
The auctioneer. This belongs to NôvelDrama.Org - ©.
merely before proceeding to drag things out for a little longer. Upon noticing that everyone was already burning with impatience, he told the S**y woman to pull aside the red cloth and reveal the auction item.
As soon as the bidders saw the painting, however, looks of shock crossed their faces, at the same time. That painting is Mr. Emerentius‘ work indeed, but…
Someone recognized it immediately. “Isn’t that Eagle on a Tree?”
1/2
Chapter 24 A Gimmick
+10 pearls
Sure enough, the woman was holding Eagle on a Tree, an artwork released quite a while ago.
“It’s clearly an old piece. How could you describe it as a new work? Is Eastfield Auctions also starting to employ such gimmicks?”
“What you’ve done is fraudulent behavior. It’s too much!”
“Hmph! Although this situation is very upsetting, I’ve decided to bid for this artwork.”
One after another, those at the auction expressed their dissatisfaction.
They were not dissatisfied with the painting but rather Eastfield Auctions‘ deceitful actions. Even if the auction house did not resort to such a trick and claim to have Emerentius‘ latest masterpiece, they would still come to support the auction all the same.
However, because the auction house had announced they would have Emerentius‘ newest work only to bring out something he had done previously, the crowd could not help feeling deceived. As Emerentius‘ loyal fans, they felt sorely disappointed.
As for Lorenzo, his heart lurched when he saw that painting. Didn’t I already acquire this piece for my art collection? How did it get here? Could it be that the one I bought is fake? Or did someone break into my house?
He was instantly overwhelmed with an uneasy feeling.
Meanwhile, the auctioneer was unfazed by the bidders‘ disgruntled comments. He grinned and said, “Don’t worry. This artwork is indeed Eagle on a Tree, but it’s a new piece from Mr. Emerentius.”
“What do you mean?” Everyone was puzzled.
“Haven’t you noticed anything different about this Eagle on a Tree compared to the previous one?”
That question got the crowd thinking. All of them opened their eyes wide and studied the painting carefully.
“I see it! The red mark on the eagle’s head is gone!”
When the others heard that, they realized it was an accurate observation. Many photos of Eagle on a Tree had been widely circulated online, so most art enthusiasts had seen it before. They could tell the artwork the S**y lady was carrying was different from the one in the photos online.