“I’m not asking you about business. I’m asking you if the painting is authentic.” John grew serious as he put his hands in his pockets.
Anthony curled his lips into a cold smile. He stooped down to pick Audrey up and then replied nonchalantly, “Well, that depends on how many people believe in its authenticity.”
With that, he left with Audrey to look at the other paintings, leaving John and me behind.
Both of us shared a look and unanimously shrugged in resignation.
Anthony’s words indeed made sense. The art industry was not as simple as it seemed. It was a high-risk investment, just like stone gambling and stock investment, which could make a person go bankrupt and became debt-ridden.
Since Nathaniel could set up such a grand art gallery, he must be one of the few who got to lay down the rules in the industry. Hence, it was not surprising that he could make huge profits.
After a few minutes, the excitation when we first stepped foot in the gallery faded away. After all, we were not art enthusiasts.
In the end, Anthony brought the energetic Audrey outside the villa as the latter might prefer being out in the nature.
Initially, John was keeping me company. Later, he went outside to answer a call from M Country to avoid disturbing the others in the gallery.
Soon, I grew tired after standing for a while. As I decided to find a place to rest, Nathaniel’s voice rang out, “Sienna, do you think this painting is portraying the ebb or flood?”
I straightened up upon hearing his voice. Soon, I realized he was talking about the picture in front of me.
It was a beautiful piece of art featuring the sun and breaking waves, a distant view from the seaside. At first glance, one couldn’t really tell if they were ebb or flood tide since it resembled both.
After thinking for a while, I answered, “I think it’s flood tide. This is a painting of the sea when the sea level rises during sunset. Although the sun still looks reddish, it is sinking below the horizon.”
Nathaniel cast his eyes downward while curling his lips into a faint smile. “Well, I think it’s ebb tide. During sunrise, the seagulls fly, and the tides recede and move away from the oceanfront. One can imagine how magnificent such a scene is. When we take a step back and make a concession in life, we can get a wider field of view of the peaceful scenery.”
It was not surprising that Nathaniel could make an innuendo with a random oil painting. After all, he was a guileful one who had been hatching a plot for all these years.
So, does he mean he wanted to make peace with us?
Just as Nathaniel finished saying that, John was back. The two nodded at each other.
With a troubled expression, John brought me a piece of news, “Uncle Louis is back in the country with Zachary and Cameron.”
Feeling confused, I asked, “Why did they suddenly come back? They’re not young anymore. How could they stand the tedious journey? Why didn’t you dissuade them from flying?”
With that, I observed Nathaniel’s reaction from the corner of my eye and as expected, he took the bait.
Nathaniel joined in the conversation with a smile. “You mean my in-laws will be returning to the country? That’s great. I haven’t seen them in years. When will they arrive? I’ll arrange for both families to have a feast together.”
“That’s not necessary,” John refused flatly, making no effort to conceal his animosity. “After Anthony and Gregory follow us back to M Country, there is no reason for both families to keep in touch, so drop the act.”
Although I had expected this, I still inhaled sharply when those words left John’s lips.
John was always hostile toward anyone who wasn’t family. After such a strong refusal, the atmosphere abruptly turned tense. Even the guests around started casting curious glances at us, probably concerned about Nathaniel since he was the host of this art exhibition.
On the contrary, Nathaniel was much calmer than the onlookers.
Despite being publicly humiliated by John, he smiled broadly and replied, “My apologies. That was rude of me. Indeed, you’re straightforward in a refreshing way and I admire you for that, John. But as the younger generation, it’s necessary for me to play host as a show of respect, so I’m afraid I’ll have to insist. When the elders have settled down, I’ll personally visit to extend my invitation.”
Without waiting for a response, he looked past John and nodded in greeting to someone behind. “Sorry, a few friends of mine have arrived. Please excuse me.”
Subsequently, he strode toward the guests by the entrance and smoothly started a cordial conversation with them.
John stuffed both hands into his trouser pockets and stared after him. After a while, he said frostily, “Just look at him. He’s the perfect definition of a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Who could’ve guessed that he’s a scumbag who’d resort to underhanded means all to achieve his goal?”
I didn’t answer but steered the topic away instead. “Is everything in place?”
John was momentarily stunned, then snapped back to his senses and glanced at me. When a waiter passed by, he reached out to grab a glass of champagne. After taking a sip, he replied languidly, “Don’t worry. If that guy found out, he wouldn’t be behaving like this right now.”
“Good.” I nodded. Although it was a foolproof plan, it involved the safety of our elders, so I still felt uneasy about it.
I felt a pang in my heart. They should be living their retired lives in peace, but instead, they had to travel across the sea for us.
But for the sake of the bigger picture and everyone’s safety in the long run, we had no choice but to take this risk.
About ten minutes later, Anthony came back with Audrey and asked as soon as he came to a stop beside me, “Did any of the works capture your interest?”
“Huh?” I was bewildered. Aren’t we only here as a formality? Do we have to spend?
Anthony ignored my confusion and turned to look at the painting of a sunset by the beach next to him. “Let’s take this one.”
Before I could respond, he turned back to me and said matter-of-factly, “I like it. Buy it for me, Honey.”
Not accustomed to this, I blinked dumbly as a shiver ran down my spine.
John immediately gave an exaggerated shudder and snickered. “You’re giving me goosebumps all over. Please be mindful of your behavior in public.”
Anthony shot him a flat stare, then held his palm out to me. “I need money, Honey.”
This form of address was really getting to me. Afraid that we would draw unwanted attention to ourselves, I swiftly took out a credit card from my bag and handed it to him.
This card was given to me by John back at the hotel and was said to be without credit limits. However, I had never used it, so I wasn’t sure if it could be paying for such a famous and priceless piece of art.
Anthony didn’t seem to care. After taking the card, he walked toward the staff a short distance away who was in charge of recording the sales and purchases of the works, signaling that he wanted to buy the sunset by the sea painting.
The process was rather smooth. The transaction was complete after he signed the sales contract and swiped the card. Later on, the painting would be sent to the house.
After making the payment, Anthony returned the card to me and expressed his intention to leave.
As Nathaniel was occupied by guests trying to flatter him, Anthony took the opportunity to lead us out through the side door.
The moment Audrey was buckled up inside the car, Nathaniel rushed over and called out, “Anthony, Sienna, wait.”
“What do you want?” Anthony turned around and asked blandly.
Nathaniel smiled faintly and shifted sideways to allow the assistant behind him to step forward and present the oil painting that was already wrapped in kraft paper.
“My staff are inexperienced. Since you like this painting, just take it with you. You don’t need to pay a single cent. I’ll arrange someone to follow behind your car and deliver the painting to your house, then find a suitable spot to frame it up.”
Having said that, one of the assistants brought a cheque forward and respectfully handed it to Anthony with both hands.
There was nothing odd about bestowing gifts to your own family. In fact, it could strengthen the bond between them, but there was no such bond between us and Nathaniel, to begin with.
Anthony stared unblinkingly at him and parted his lips slightly. “Even brothers need to keep family and business separate. Besides, I don’t like taking advantage of others.”
After that, he swiveled around and got into the car, taking the seat next to Audrey without once looking back. John replicated his actions, pulling open the front passenger door and sliding in. Hence, the atmosphere turned rather awkward.
I was left with no choice but to patiently lighten the situation. “They don’t have anything against you. It’s just how they are. Don’t take it to heart, Nathaniel.”
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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