As soon as Yolanda said this, the guests in the room got excited at what was about to happen.
-Well, well, Yolanda’s war is finally going to start, -said the spectators-, many of us saw what Umberto did and she won’t be able to remain indifferent.
The moment Yolanda was spoken, Albina knew that she had already started to set her up, so she was ready to face her.
Seeing Raul looking at her with some concern, Albina took an elegant step towards him with an adorable smile saying:
-Excuse me for attending your birthday banquet without telling you first. Miguel told me that you like to collect paintings, so today I brought you one and I hope you like it.
Having said that, he asked her to bring a roll of paint.
At first, Yolanda was worried that Albina would bring a surprise gift, but when she heard that it was only a painting, she was relieved.
According to her, Albina had no contacts of important people, no property, so it would be impossible for her to give away famous and valuable paintings.
Umberto was originally disturbed and was going to help her get rid of the scandal, hearing that she had prepared painting, he was relieved and stood aside to observe.
Seeing the parchment approaching him, Raul secretly glanced at his son, he saw that he was very interested in this girl who told him all her interests, really a gift of painting was what he most wanted to receive.
In fact, his only hobby was collecting paintings, no matter what their cost was, as long as it had its own characteristics.
Raul also knew that Yolanda intended to make a fool of Albina, so because she was the woman his son liked, he would praise the painting, no matter what.
Having made the decision, the servants unrolled the scroll and he leaned over to look at it. At first, his expression was a little indifferent. After seeing the painting, his eyes suddenly grew bigger and his gesture became more serious.
Unconsciously, he said to the servants:
-Be careful, open it slowly, please.
Seeing Raul like this, everyone became curious about the mysterious painting that excited an expert like Mr. Eagle.
The painting was not very large, it was a simple landscape, with only a few strokes, there were intertwining mountains, a lake with few waves, a flat boat and a fisherman fishing, which made the landscape look lively and have a deep artistic meaning.
Next to the painting was a short poem, the meaning of which would be: I enjoy the beauty of nature without having to pursue fame and fortune like others.
The writing looked magnificent and vigorous that would leave an imposing feeling to the readers.
-This painting…
Raul reached out his hand eagerly to pick it up, but suddenly remembered on something, then withdrew his hand and pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his fingers before taking it.
Yolanda frowned, she knew nothing about calligraphy and painting, she just thought that this kind of landscape painting was nothing special, she could get anywhere.
-Albina, where did you get this painting? Don’t tell me you’re going to fool Mr. Eagle with a painting you bought in any back alley.
Albina saw his look of disgust and contempt, she was going to give explanations, but at this moment Umberto suddenly spoke:
-Mr. Eagle, if I am not mistaken, this picture should be painted by Mr. Athens.
Raul looked at him and nodded appreciatively:
-I thought that nowadays few young people know this master, I see that you have much more knowledge than your fiance.
As soon as these words came out, Yolanda’s face flushed. Was Raul saying that she had no knowledge?
Being embarrassed in public, Yolanda felt that the people around her were laughing at her.
In fact, she really didn’t know who Mr. Atenas was, she was just sure that poor Albina wasn’t capable of bringing a valuable painting.
-Mr. Athens is a well-known master of calligraphy and painting in our country. All his paintings are based on the state of his mood, especially now that he is older, it is getting harder and harder to get his painting.
Raul gave a brief explanation, then looked at Albina with a kind smile:
-Albina, how did you get this painting? I have been collecting calligraphy and paintings for many years and hopefully, I have only seen one in a friend’s collection, but I have not heard of this landscape painting.
Hearing this, an idea occurred to Yolanda, she recovered her spirits and said:
-Mr. Aguila, haven’t you seen this painting by Mr. Atenas before?
-No,” said Raul. Among Mr. Atenas’ public paintings there is not this painting.
Hearing this, Albina smiled, “It seems you know Mr. Atenas very well.
Yolanda frowned and suddenly said:
-Albina, I am not doubting you, but since this painting is not within Mr. Athens’ public paintings, where did you get it from? Is this painting really was painted by Mr. Athens or could it be a forgery?
Hearing this, Umberto’s eyes suddenly turned cold.
Albina looked directly at Yolanda and answered calmly:
-Miss Yolanda, are you doubting that my painting is a fake?
-No, I just want to make sure,” Yolanda smiled slowly. After all, even Mr. Eagle has no way of getting Mr. Athens’ paintings… If you were fooled, that’s not your fault, but if you bring a fake just to satisfy your vanity, you are totally wrong.
-That’s right, Albina, I heard that your parents are dead and your family is neither rich nor powerful. Mr. Athens’ calligraphies and paintings are difficult to obtain, how can you bring a real one?
Emma was a loyal follower of Yolanda, hearing Yolanda’s teasing of Albina, she also came forward to give her opinion.
Most of the guests didn’t know much about calligraphy and painting. After hearing her words, they were also manipulated by the two and started to look at Albina strangely.
-Yolanda, that’s enough.
Umberto looked at her in a bad temper, gritted his teeth and spoke to her in a voice that only the two of them could hear.
Yolanda who was complacent, hearing this, had no intention of stopping, she even wanted to humiliate her more than being defended by Umberto.
-Albina, if you really respect Mr. Eagle, you must choose a gift from your heart, no matter if it is valuable or not, Mr. Eagle will know your intentions, but you use a fake, that is shameful for him and for the whole Eagle family.
She used very harsh words, which made the situation become serious, the guests were silent and looked at Albina with disgust.
Obviously, it was a good day for socializing, but it was ruined by this pretty but also annoying woman.
Seeing that people were instigated by herself, Yolanda looked at Raul with pride:
-Maybe Albina didn’t do it on purpose, she just wanted to please him, but since she is too poor, she had no choice, Mr. Eagle, please forgive her this time.
Emma took her by the arm and praised:
-Yolanda, you really are good to everyone, how can you defend Albina after doing something so nasty?
Yolanda shook her head with a kind expression on her face: “We all make mistakes. Albina lives in a different world from us, we have to be sympathetic to her.
The two of them acted pretentiously, apparently they were pleading for Albina, but their intentions were to isolate her from the others.
Miguel, obviously well aware of their plots, became enraged, saying:
-This painting is not a copy!
-Albina is his girlfriend, I understand that it is normal to feel sorry for her, but you cannot lose your principles, after all, this is her father’s birthday party, you should think more about him.
Yolanda spoke seriously, looked at Miguel’s angry look, shook her head with disappointment and sighed deeply.
Albina felt she was watching a theater of the absurd, they were acting exaggeratedly to defame her painting.
This time she would not allow this woman to disgrace her as before, now she was a noble lady.
-Miss Yolanda, I don’t agree with what you said!
Albina finally spoke, took a step forward and stood in front of Yolanda with a cold expression:
-I never said that this painting is a fake!