The Divorcee Amazed the World

The next day, at 8 p. m., Helena, accompanied by Willis, arrived punctually at the hotel where Frank was staying.

Frank’s assistant opened the door-a spirited young man dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, with black-framed glasses.

Willis and Helena stood up, greeting, “Hello, Frank.”

“Please, have a seat,” Frank greeted with a pleasant expression.

Frank looked at Willis, “Let’s see the painting first.”

Helena picked up the painting from the nearby table and carefully unfolded it.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

As the painting gradually unfolded, Frank’s eyes brightened, and his expression became more animated. He stood up, bent down, and gently traced his fingers over the distant mountains in the painting, muttering to himself, “This feeling, exactly this feeling. These towering mountains, the cascading waterfall, the jungle, the caravan, the mules and horses-well-painted, truly wonderful.”

As he continued to gaze, his eyes gradually became moist.

Frank rubbed his eyes and reached out to his assistant.

The assistant, understanding the situation, handed him an antique-looking magnifying glass.

Holding the magnifying glass, Frank carefully examined the details of the painting.

From top to bottom, from the mountains to the people.

While nodding, he commented, “The brushwork is robust, using the rain-dot texture and ink accumulation technique that excelled in. With thousands of strokes and layers, there’s that tenacious spirit that refuses to yield until every stone nods in agreement.”

Putting down the magnifying glass, Frank’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Helena. “Young lady, did you really paint this?”

Helena smiled, “Yes, I painted it.”

Frank regarded her with a suspicious look, “You don’t seem very old. Are you sure you’re not fooling me?”

Helena answered calmly, “I’ve been learning to restore ancient paintings with my grandfather, Ken, since I was a child. Copying ancient paintings is a basic skill. Although I’m not that old, I’ve been painting for almost twenty years. Considering the skills I’ve developed over these years, reaching this level is reasonable.”

Upon hearing Ken’s name, Frank’s skepticism disappeared. In the antique circle, Ken’s name was well-known.

Frank handed the painting to his assistant, saying, “Go and check the details, see if there are any differences.”

“Sure, Frank.” The assistant took the painting and went to study.

Helena smiled, “Everything else should be identical.”

Frank sat down, picked up his tea cup, took a sip, and asked, “How did you copy it if the Bao Dao Museum doesn’t allow photography?”

“I memorized it during my visit and painted it when I returned.”

Frank looked surprised, “Young lady, you are indeed a rare talent. This painting is large, more than two meters long and more than one meter wide, with a complex and varied composition. You memorized such a large painting just in your mind?”

“Yes, my grandfather deliberately trained me to memorize paintings since I was a child. Actually, memorizing this painting wasn’t difficult. The real challenge lies in the fact that this painting has a soul. I spent half a day memorizing it, and then two full days understanding its essence while painting.”

Frank praised, “A genius from an early age. Truly impressive.”

Willis poured more tea for Frank.

Frank asked, “Is the old man in good health?”

Willis smiled, “He’s doing well.”

“I haven’t seen him in years. I’ll visit him at your house when I have the time.”

“Sure, he misses you. Let me pass on his regards.”

After chatting for a while, the assistant came out.

He leaned over to whisper to Frank, “Frank, after closely examining with magnifying glasses, every detail is exactly the same except for the absence of a signature and seal.”

Frank, after hearing this, seemed stunned for several seconds. Then, he gave Helena a thumbs up, “Young lady, you’re amazing. I’ve been in the antique circle for so many years, and you’re the first person I’ve encountered with such talent. Truly a rare gem.”

Helena modestly replied, “You’re too kind. We young people should learn from experienced individuals like you.”

Frank’s smile deepened, “Talented and not arrogant. Good, very good.”

He reached out to his assistant, who handed him a checkbook.

Frank took a pen, filled in an amount on the check, signed his name, tore it off, and handed it to Helena, “This is a little extra reward. Please accept it.”

Helena hurriedly stood up and received it with both hands, “Thank you, Frank.”

Frank smiled warmly, “You’re welcome. This is what you deserve.”

As Helena sat down with the check, she glanced at the amount and was greatly surprised.

Ten million dollars.

Equivalent to more than 66 million Chinese yuan.

This was a price tag fit for a master in the art world.

Helena, being straightforward, reminded him, “Frank, did you make a mistake with the amount? Kelly offered me 15 million RMB before, and I already thought that was a sky-high price.”

She never expected Frank to offer even more.

Frank chuckled, “No mistake. It’s exactly 10 million USD. Your painting is worth this much. Achieving such a level at your young age, you will have a great future ahead.”

“But this is too high.” Helena still felt unworthy.

Frank touched his chin with his finger and said with a smile, “Not high at all. It’s rare to have a painting catch my eye like this.”

Helena didn’t say anything more.

Standing on the carpeted corridor, soft under her feet, Helena felt like she was in a dream.

It felt very unreal.

She never imagined that the ancient painting she copied could be sold for such a sky-high price.

Yes, a sky-high price.

She looked up at Willis and said, “Pinch me and see if I’m dreaming.”

How could Willis bear to pinch her?

Looking around and seeing no one in the corridor, he suddenly held her arm, pushed her against the wall, lowered his head, and lightly bit her lips.

His tongue slid into her lips, sucking on her lip bead, lightly teasing and hooking.

Helena’s earlobes turned involuntarily red.

Her heart skipped a beat.

The tip of her nose was filled with the attractive scent from his body, the irresistible charm of a masculine man.