It did not even matter if Diarmuid loved Abigail-given the man’s usual style, he would never allow a portrait of his own wife to fall into a stranger’s hands.
Moreover, it was proof that he was cucked, since Abigail was pregnant with another man’s child. The portrait was simply a reminder to Diarmuid that she had been with another man, even bearing her child!
He had a hunch that once Diarmuid brought it home, he would tear it into pieces!
Meanwhile, the crowd was in utter chaos.
Everyone present was rich, but it was not as if their money was made out of thin air!
Was that simple portrait worth over 41 million? They just could not understand!
Moreover, Diarmuid was a champion who would never suffer losses when it comes to business, and the fact that he would spend that much money to buy that painting made everyone properly appraise it.
On the other hand, Diarmuid could see what Harvey was up to, but he did not mind it.
Money did not matter-the portrait mattered far more than that to him.
It was proof that their children existed.
“50 million,” he said, raising the bid, leaving the crowd gasping.
That was certainly far beyond what they would pay for that painting-and they had already thought so at the starting bid.
Beside him, Abigail was stunned to hear him make the bid, and she turned to look at him. “It’s not worth that much money.”
Diarmuid simply smiled and said nothing-worth was in the eye of the beholder, and for him, that painting was priceless.
That was why he would spare no expenses!
At the same time, Harvey felt the corner of his eye twitching in confusion.
He knew that Diarmuid would be eager to buy that painting, but for 45 million at best!
That was why the man he had arranged to raise the bid just increased the bid amount by a million, so that he would raise it on his own.
He just did not expect Diarmuid to simply push it up to 50 million, an amount far beyond estimated!
Was he that vengeful a man that he would throw away all that money just to settle a grudge?!
He hence announced the new auction amount, because he was eager to see how far Diarmuid could go!
“51 million.”
Harvey tried to keep it low, while offering Diarmuid more space to raise the bid -he was a little afraid to mess up and shoot himself in the foot!
Diarmuid certainly knew what Harvey was up to, but he could not care less.”60 million.”
Harvey lost all composure right then. “What’s this, Mr. Althoff?”
Diarmuid leveled him an impassive look. “You sell, i buy. It’s that simple.”
“65 million,” Harvey snarled through his teeth right then-not caring about making a show now!
“70 million,” Diarmuid replied without batting an eye. Harvey was speechless, and no longer had the courage to raise the bid.
He was a businessman who valued profit above all, and he could not afford to push when he did not have a read on Diarmuid at all.
Sure, Diarmuid was rich, but logically speaking, he should not be squandering his riches no matter how humongous his ego was.
“Sold!” Harvey declared, since no one would make any bids now.
Through it all, Abigail was actually left confused as to what Diarmuid’s intentions were.
The portrait was never worth that much money, but she would not stop that man from biting that bullet.
However, she could not abide with Harvey using her to con Diarmuid!
Right now, she had a child to raise, and Sheryl could not work.
She decided to take her cut. “Harvey, that’s supposed to be my painting, isn’t it? Why are you auctioning it off instead?”
At that moment, Harvey realized that he had actually forgotten about that little fact.
Back when the painting was done, he had promised to give it to Abigail for free.
Still, under the impression that she was on his side, he asked, “Shall we speak in private?”
After all, Diarmuid had pushed her off a building, leaving her with a broken foot.
Reasonably speaking, she must hate him, and the fact that he was conning so much money. from Diarmuid should please him.
“We can talk here,” Abigail said, but she certainly did not protest that Harvey was tricking Diarmuid for his money.
However, she felt as if Harvey was using her, and she should get a cut.
She never valued money that much before, but circumstances were different now-she had no income, and she needed a lot of money for Tommy and her mother’s living expenses.
She must think for their sake.
Harvey could see what she was getting at, and simply said right in Diarmuid’s face, “30 percent. How about that?”
He had lost too much money because of Diarmuid, but he also knew where to draw the line even if he did put the art exhibition together just to mess with the man.
Abigail was no greedy soul either, and she was actually surprised that Harvey would offer that much. She just wanted a solid amount of money which she could send to Sheryl, so that her mother and Tommy would not have to worry about money for a while.
“You’re not satisfied?” Her silence left Harvey uncertain about her position-perhaps she thought the distribution unfair?
“No, I’ll take it,” Abigail simply said then, since it was far more than what she could imagine.
Meanwhile, Diarmuid was still standing behind Abigail, but he appeared unconcerned.
Was he such a menace to these two?
They were already discussing how they would share the profits even before he paid up… and right in front of him at that!
Still, he found the cost worth it at the thought that some of the money would simply land in Abigail’s pocket.
“I have one last item. Would you happen to be interested?” Harvey was grinning.
Diarmuid ignored him, and started to wheel Abigail elsewhere.
Harvey was not at all upset he had just made a killing, and that was enough to leave him in a very good mood.
He started to follow them despite their lukewarm reaction to his presence, as if it was not awkward at all. “I’ll personally deliver the painting to you tomorrow. By the way, what do you think about most of the pieces you see around you?”
While Diarmuid ignored him completely, Harvey did not hold back his eagerness to offer introductions. “Would you like to hear about the person who drew these pieces?”
Abigail looked up at Harvey again. What was he up to this time?
Was he not done squeezing Diarmuid for money?
Noticing her gaze, Harvey smiled. “What’s with that look? Missing me already?” Abigail was speechless, and wondered why men could not act more normal.
First, it was Diarmuid, and now Harvey! They were all nuts!
Saying that right in Diarmuid’s face was nothing less than pure provocation!
“You really want to die, don’t you?!” Diarmuid snarled-this was the first time he had ever flipped out in public.
Harvey was not afraid, however, as he chose his words properly. After all, Diarmuid was showing complete disinterest in the paintings exhibited, so he had to direct their conversation toward
‘Now, now. I’m not as narcissistic as you think. Look at this painting if you doubt me, Mr. Althoff,” he said as he unveiled the other hidden painting.
It was a portrait of a person’s profile as well, but this one was of Harvey himself and not Abigail. The details on his profile were immaculate, and the aesthetic seemed to overflow!
“Did K draw this too?” someone asked.
Harvey shook his head. “I’m afraid not. Like I said before, this is my personal treasure and not for sale after all, a beautiful woman painted it for me.”
As he spoke, he threw a glance at Diarmuid and chuckled. “What is that woman like? Would care to hazard a guess, Mr. Althoff?”
Diarmuid stared at his eyes as dark as the abyss.
Harvey would not go so far to tease him if it were any other woman.
But it was clear that the man was filled with confidence that he would take notice of the painter.
And the only woman whom Diarmuid himself would ever take notice of was Abigail. Still, Abigail Bernstein? A painter?
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
Leave a Reply