After breakfast, we sent Gregory to school before heading to Nathaniel’s art gallery, bringing Audrey along with us.
When we reached a crossroad, Tiffany’s car cut us off and blocked our way.
A group of men in black suits got out of the extended SUV after Tiffany and surrounded our car.
Tiffany’s attitude did a one-eighty when compared to yesterday.
She must be up to something, or she wouldn’t show up in front of us again when it was only one day since she took over the company.
She made her way to our car and knocked on the rear car window.
It seemed like she had gotten familiar with Anthony’s habit during the past six years, for she knew exactly where Anthony was sitting.
After a while, Anthony rolled down the car window. “What’s the matter?” he asked impassively.
Tiffany peered into the car but said nothing when she saw Audrey and me. The next moment, she cut to the chase by saying, “Anthony, you haven’t told the assistant of the password of the company’s safe.”
“The password?” Anthony thought for a while. Then, he looked up at Tiffany with an innocent expression. “I don’t remember it.”
Hearing that, Tiffany was dazed. “You don’t remember?”
Without missing a beat, Anthony replied, “Didn’t the assistant tell you? I got into an accident a few days ago, and I don’t remember anything when I woke up.”
Unconvinced, Tiffany said jokingly, “Anthony, I won’t force you if you’re unwilling to tell me the password. After all, the company will be yours eventually. I’m only taking up your position for the time being, and I wish to do my best while I’m in office. Just say it frankly if you have any concerns. You don’t need to come up with this kind of joke to brush me off.”
Hearing that, Anthony’s gaze turned icy. “You think I’m lying to you?” The anger in his voice was evident.
Sitting next to him, I could easily sense the man’s overbearing aura.
Tiffany grew impatient with Anthony since she had almost died at the latter’s hands before. She retreated a few steps before suggesting, “Anthony, you’ve misunderstood me. Actually, I knew a doctor who is experienced with patients who suffer memory loss. Why don’t I make an appointment for you?
So, Tiffany wants to help Anthony recover his memory? I find it hard to believe that the Halls would be so kind to Anthony.
Anthony was not interested at all in accepting Tiffany’s “kindness”. He retrieved his gaze and said perfunctorily, “We’ll see.”
After a short pause, he raised his voice as he warned, “What, are you not going to let me go if I don’t agree?”
Anyone who knew Anthony could tell from his serious tone that he was annoyed, and things could get really bad if he got mad.
Although Tiffany was unwilling to give in, she couldn’t tell if Anthony was telling the truth about his memory loss. As reluctant as she was, she ordered her bodyguards harshly, “What are you still looking at? Move the car!”
“Yes, Ms. Hall.”
In no time, her bodyguards moved the car aside and made way for our car.
Joseph stomped on the accelerator and drove past them.
When Tiffany and her bodyguards were no longer in sight, John gave rare praise to Anthony, “Anthony, you have dealt with the matter well.”
Anthony didn’t say anything, and his expression was impenetrable.
Indeed, Anthony had brushed Tiffany off. However, that didn’t mean it would deter the Hall family. For the benefit of their business, the Halls might come up with other plans to force him into receiving treatment for his memory recovery.
We’d better get rid of them as soon as possible so they would no longer pose a threat. After all, it was easy to dodge a spear thrust in the open, but it was hard to guard against an arrow shot in the hiding.
With that in mind, I patted consolingly on Anthony’s hand.
Upon my touch, the man turned to face me. I flashed him a reassuring smile, conveying that the whole family would be there for him.
Anthony’s expression softened as he nodded and held my hand in his.
John didn’t fail to notice our holding hands from the rearview mirror. With a hint of jealousy in his voice, he teased, “Audrey, did you sense a funny smell?”
Hearing that, Audrey started sniffing in the car, yet she smelled nothing. With her brows knotted, he asked curiously, “No. Uncle John, I smell nothing.”
“How could you not have sensed it?” John looked at Audrey through the rearview mirror while saying sarcastically, “Smell your daddy and mommy. They are giving out the distinct odor of love.”
Audrey cast her eyes at both Anthony and me. Still, she couldn’t seem to sense the funny smell that her uncle was talking about. The poor little girl scratched her head in confusion.
I caressed her head while explaining, “Your uncle John was kidding with you. There’s no funny smell.”
“Uncle John is a liar!” Frustrated, Audrey kicked her legs. She then pointed at the passenger seat while saying accusingly, “You’re bad. I’m going to tell Aunt Emma that you bullied me.”
Instantly, John panicked. He turned around to coax the little girl, “If you tell your Aunt Emma, then I can no longer squirrel away money to buy you princess dress. Audrey, are you sure you want to sell me out?”
“Um…” Audrey pouted as she gave her uncle’s words some thought. Being as clever as always, she started bargaining with John, “Alright. I won’t tell Aunt Emma about it, but you need to buy me and Greg new clothes.”
“Deal!” John readily agreed. Then, the two made a pinky promise.
With heartfelt smiles on our faces, Anthony and I watched as the uncle and niece played together.
Nathaniel’s art gallery was being set up in the Golden Villa in the suburbs. He was waiting for us at the entrance by the time we arrived.
As soon as the car came to a halt, he came up to greet us, “Welcome!”
Seeing Anthony, he greeted, “Anthony, you’re here too!”
Anthony simply uttered a response.
Soon after, I spoke up, “Nathaniel, Audrey and her Uncle John felt bored at home, so I brought them along. I hope it won’t cause you any inconvenience.”
“Of course not.” With a pleasant smile, he said, “I’m glad to have them here. Please come in.”
With that, he led us into the villa.
Apart from our car, there were about a dozen luxury cars parked some distance away. It seemed like we were not the only guests today.
As expected, the art gallery was packed with guests. We seemed to be a little out of place, being the only ones who showed up with the whole family.
Nathaniel was busy entertaining his other guests, so we decided to look around the gallery ourselves.
The gallery adopted the Epea architectural style from the last century. Its lobby with vaulted ceiling introduced a historic charm to the place. Under such an atmosphere, the oil paintings on the wall seemed to be veiled by a sense of mystery.
Standing in the middle of the lobby, John fixed his eyes on the Mona Lisa’s smile and gauged its authenticity. “Do you guys think it’s authentic or fake?”
“I suppose it’s authentic,” I blurted out. “Those who show up today are all prominent figures. Besides, Nathaniel is rich. I don’t think he would display a reproduction in his gallery.”
“What do you think?” John asked Anthony.
“Well, it can be authentic, and it can be fake. Actually, the oil paintings themselves have no value. They only gain popularity and rise in value because they are much sought after. To some extent, it is an excellent marketing tactic by attaching the artists’ feelings and life experiences to the artworks.”
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.
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