Xavier immediately blocked the entrance to the living room and then looked at Leo with a disdainful gaze, saying, “Rosemary, you can go in by yourself, but dogs and this freeloader are not allowed.”
Leo’s fists clenched involuntarily. If it weren’t for Rosemary, he would have kicked Xavier away already.
“Xavier, move aside. Don’t force me to punch you!” Rosemary, with a fiery temper, glared at Xavier and shouted.
“Who’s forcing Rosemary to hit someone?” A robust and resonant voice echoed.
Looking in the direction of the voice, they saw an elderly man with a spirited demeanor and graying hair walking towards them with dignity.
At the sight of the old man, Rosemary quickly smiled and greeted him affectionately, “Grandpa Elroy!”
Elroy Fanny’s solemn face immediately softened into a loving smile. “Rosemary, who has upset you? Grandpa Elroy will take care of it!”
Rosemary pointed at Xavier, saying, “Grandpa Elroy, Xavier is too over. Not only did he prevent my friend from entering the living room, but he also insulted him!”
Elroy Fanny glanced at Leo, then turned his gaze to Xavier. His expression turned cold as he scolded, “Xavier, guests are guests. Is this how you treat them? Get out of the way!”
When Elroy Fanny spoke, Xavier didn’t dare to disobey. After giving Leo a fierce glare, he left the villa’s living room.
Leo walked up to Elroy Fanny, politely saying, “Grandpa, I’m Leo, a friend of Rosemary’s. I came with her to wish you a happy birthday. I wish you a long and healthy life, like the constant moon, the rising sun, the longevity of the southern mountains, unwavering and unyielding. May you be as flourishing as pine and cypress, never withering. May you be blessed.”
Leo’s well-expressed birthday wish earned him a high regard from Elroy Fanny.
Rosemary stepped forward and introduced, “Grandpa Elroy, Leo is a traditional Chinese medicine doctor and runs a clinic. Remember when you asked me about the young man who wanted to compete with my grandfather? He’s the one.”
Upon hearing Rosemary’s words, Elroy Fanny’s face immediately lit up with a warm smile. He welcomed them, saying, “I thought you looked familiar. You’re Dr. Bloomer. Please come in.”
After Leo and Rosemary entered the living room, many people in the yard began whispering.
“Did you notice the young man who just entered the living room? Doesn’t he look like the freeloader from the Henley family?”
“What looks like? That’s him! Why wouldn’t that useless freeloader enjoy an easy life in the Henley family? What’s he doing here?”
“What else can he do? Today is Mr. Fanny’s big birthday, so he must be here to freeload.”
Inside the living room, people gathered in front of a wall, discussing something.
“Did you notice the young man who just entered the living room? Doesn’t he look like the freeloader from the Henley family?”
“What looks like? That’s him! Why wouldn’t that useless freeloader enjoy an easy life in the Henley family? What’s he doing here?”
“What else can he do? Today is Mr. Fanny’s big birthday, so he must be here to freeload.”
Inside the living room, people gathered in front of a wall, discussing something.
Leo noticed a vintage painting hanging on the wall, capturing everyone’s interest.
“If I’m not mistaken, this ‘Courtyard in Venice’ should be an authentic piece by William Merritt Chase!”
“Nonsense! This was a birthday gift from a wealthy benefactor to Mr. Fanny. It must be genuine.”
“Tsk tsk, a masterpiece by William Merritt Chase, truly extraordinary!”
As the crowd discussed and praised “Courtyard in Venice,” Elroy Fanny entered with the guests.
He walked directly to the painting, pointed at it, and declared, “Ladies and gentlemen, today is my birthday, and I’m honored to have you all here. Besides enjoying good food and company, I’d like you to appreciate this painting by William Merritt Chase, ‘Courtyard in Venice!'”
“Sir, if I may ask, who gifted this genuine ‘Courtyard in Venice’?” a curious voice asked.
Xavier walked in at that moment, overheard the question, and proudly replied, “I bought this ‘Courtyard in Venice’ as a special birthday gift for my grandfather!”
Xavier’s words grabbed everyone’s attention, and admiration and discussions about Xavier’s filial piety filled the room.
Taking in the praises, Xavier approached Elroy Fanny with a smile, bowed, and said, “Grandfather, Xavier wishes you endless joy and longevity!”
Elroy Fanny reached out to lift Xavier, his face filled with smiles. Despite scolding Xavier earlier, it was all a show for others; what grandfather wouldn’t cherish their grandson?
Moreover, on his birthday, receiving William Merritt Chase’s “Courtyard in Venice” from Xavier was more than satisfying. As an elder, the filial piety of his descendants was indeed something to boast about.
Leo, who had been silent, examined the painting carefully and remarked casually, “Too bad, it’s just an exquisite forgery.”
Leo’s comment wasn’t loud, and initially, few heard it. However, after about ten seconds, a man shouted, “I heard someone say this ‘Courtyard in Venice’ is a forgery!”
This man, with his pointed features, successfully drew everyone’s attention. The term ‘forgery’ was like a bomb to Xavier, and he immediately roared, “Who’s blind enough to claim this ‘Courtyard in Venice’ is a forgery!?”
Seeing Xavier staring at him, the man with pointed features quickly shook his head, then pointed at Leo and said, “It wasn’t me; it was him!”
Xavier’s gaze shifted to Leo, and he sneered, “You, the freeloading son-in-law again. Who gave you the audacity to claim that my birthday gift to Grandpa is a forgery!?”
With disdain, Xavier pulled out a red certificate from his pocket, waving it in front of everyone. “Useless son-in-law, open your small eyes and take a good look. This is the authentication certificate for ‘Courtyard in Venice,’ personally verified by Langstel’s most authoritative appraisal expert, Morgan Milne!”
Xavier’s words instantly fueled anger from the crowd, and they started verbally attacking Leo.
“This young man has no manners, speaking nonsense in front of Mr. Fanny and Xavier. Isn’t he afraid of getting his tongue cut?”
“Xavier has a certificate signed by the appraisal expert Morgan Milne himself, proving that ‘Courtyard in Venice’ is undoubtedly genuine. Everyone knows Morgan Milne is a significant figure in the appraisal industry.”
“Xavier just said this young man is a freeloader son-in-law. Nowadays, young people are really incorrigible. No skills, yet they love to freeload. Such people don’t deserve to attend Mr. Fanny’s birthday celebration!”
The verbal attacks from the crowd made Rosemary’s face turn unpleasant. Regardless of the situation, Leo was someone she brought, so seeing Leo being attacked by everyone naturally irked her.
Rosemary couldn’t help but ask Leo in a low voice, “Leo, is this ‘Courtyard in Venice’ really a forgery?”
“Absolutely, one hundred percent a forgery,” Leo affirmed with certainty, nodding.