After finishing their business, Leo originally planned to return to Langstel. However, unable to resist Nicholas’ insistence, he reluctantly agreed to accompany him to the Bloomer family and have a meal.
Arriving at the Bloomer family estate, Lady Alyvia hurriedly approached Leo, trembling, and held his hand, asking with concern, “Leon, why haven’t you visited your grandmother for so long? Look at you, have you been eating well? You’ve lost weight.”
Lady Alyvia’s mental state had been unstable recently, sometimes clear-headed and sometimes confused. At this moment, she mistook Leo for her deceased grandson.
Leo gently held the old lady’s hand and smiled warmly, “Grandmother, I came here today specifically to see you.”
“Good, good. Grandmother is very happy that you came to visit,” the old lady said with a smile.
At mealtime, everyone took their seats in the spacious living room.
Lady Alyvia pulled Leo to sit beside her, tightly holding his hand as if afraid that he would disappear if she let go.
When the dishes were served, Jeb suddenly stood up and enthusiastically said to his father, Nicholas, “Dad, before we start the meal, I have something for you! Something I’m sure you’ll like!”
With that, he immediately ran out and returned shortly after carrying a long package wrapped in red silk cloth.
He then brought two chairs over and aligned them, untied the rope at one end of the red silk cloth, and carefully unrolled a scroll on the two chairs. Proudly, he said, “Dad, take a look at this! What do you think it is!?”
Nicholas turned his head and glanced at it. His eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up and walked quickly to the chairs, exclaiming in surprise, “This… This is Alberto Lee’s painting!?”
“I told you! You’re really knowledgeable!” Jeb straightened his chest and gave Nicholas a thumbs-up. “That’s right. This is Winter’s Grasp, a painting by Alberto Lee, known as the ‘greatest of all time’ in the 11th century!”
Afraid that others wouldn’t know the significance of this painting, Jeb deliberately introduced it loudly.
He had purposely waited until mealtime to show off in front of everyone!
The people at the table became interested upon hearing about the prestigious painting and quickly got up to take a look.
Leo glanced at the painting from a distance but didn’t get up. After all, Lady Alyvia was still holding his hand.
“Brother-in-law, is this painting genuine?” Jacob asked curiously.
“It must be genuine. Why would I dare to deceive Dad with a fake?” Jeb’s expression turned serious and proud. “To tell you the truth, I bought this painting through connections. The person who originally bought it paid two million, and I spent four million to acquire it from him!”
“As far as I know, if this painting were to be auctioned, it would easily fetch over a hundred million!”
Leo was drinking soup when he heard Jeb’s words and accidentally sprayed it out.
This boast was too much!
A fake painting worth at most a few thousand dollars, and he dared to claim it was worth over a hundred million?
Everyone noticed Leo’s reaction and couldn’t help but look at him curiously, their faces filled with confusion.
“Leo, what are you laughing at?” Jeb stared at him angrily and questioned him. “Is it because you don’t believe this painting is worth one hundred million?”
“Do you even know who Alberto Lee is? Do you know that his paintings are priceless?”
“For a genuine work of art, even if it costs one hundred million, there will still be people willing to buy it!”
“Well, what you said is indeed correct!” Leo nodded in agreement.
“Hmph!” Jeb snorted when he saw Leo’s agreement and disdainfully glanced at him before deciding not to argue further.
But little did he know that Leo continued with a leisurely remark, “You’re right about that. However, the condition of being a genuine work of art is crucial.”
“What do you mean by that? Explain yourself!” Jeb immediately became furious and pointed at Leo angrily.
“Didn’t I make myself clear enough?” Leo smiled calmly. “I already said it directly earlier. What I meant was that this painting of yours is not genuine; it’s simply a fake.”
“A fake painting!? Brother-in-law, did you really try to deceive Dad with a fake painting?” Jacob’s wife widened her eyes and questioned him.
“Oh Jeb, do you really think Dad has become senile and can’t tell real from fake?” Jason’s wife rolled her eyes at Jeb and coldly remarked.
The Bloomer family was full of conflicts and calculations, especially between these two women who had mastered the art of manipulation. They naturally took this opportunity to give their sister-in-law a hard time.
With their sharp minds, they had long seen through all the tricks their two sisters-in-law had up their sleeves.
There was no way they would let them fight for the family fortune!
“Unfair accusation! Even if I had a hundred times more courage, I wouldn’t dare deceive Dad!” Jeb immediately wore a bitter expression of injustice. “I had this painting authenticated by an expert! It is indeed genuine!”
“Leo, on what basis do you claim our painting is fake? Do you understand calligraphy and painting? You’re just talking nonsense!” Clara angrily shouted at Leo in defense of her husband.
“I don’t understand much!” Leo smiled knowingly. “Just a little bit.”
“You’re just boasting. You’re just a traditional doctor pretending to be an expert in calligraphy and painting!” Clara said with a stern face.
“Clara, why are you so agitated? Could it be that Dr. Leo hit the nail on the head?” Jacob’s wife said playfully.
“I’m angry!” Clara said resentfully. “This painting is definitely genuine. We bought it with real money!”
“That’s right. I spent four million on it!” Jeb also spoke loudly.
Nicholas put on his reading glasses and carefully examined the painting on the chairs. Then he asked Leo, “Dr. Leo, do you understand calligraphy and painting?”
“I’m old now, my eyesight is failing. I can’t see clearly anymore. Can you please help me analyze how you determined that this painting is fake?”
“Yes, Leo. Since you claim it’s fake, can you explain your analysis?” Jeb sneered. “You probably don’t even understand Alberto Lee’s style!”
Leo smiled calmly and said, “Alberto Lee, 11th-century painter. Alongside John Yates and Van Grant, they were known as the ‘three greatest painters of the 11th century’.”