"A million is expensive!" Peter exclaimed in awe. "But I guess it's pocket change for you.""Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Larkin." Gina smiled before turning toward Henry. "See? That's Mr. Larkin's present for you."Henry took out a magnifying glass to study the pattern before asking curiously, "How old did you say this was?" Zeb smiled. "A century old. Do you like it, sir?"Henry nodded. "It's not bad…"Despite disliking Zeb, he was still interested in antiques of such value.Frank, however, was frowning. "That's a hundred years old? Doesn't really look like it."Zeb's heart could stop even as he turned to Frank in panic. "What are you talking about?"The real vase he bought before ended up in pieces—this time, he bought a bootleg item.However, the stall owner assured him that even with advanced technology, only specialists could see the difference."Shut up!" Gina snapped at Frank again. "What would you know? And you don't get to talk around this table!""I don't know my a
"Let's see!"Everyone else was curious since Henry really liked Frank's gift, only to be disappointed when they saw that it was just a painting.Gina rolled her eyes. "What's so impressive about that?""Exactly." Peter pursed his lips. "Some dull paintings are worth a lot less than the porcelain vase."Henry frowned. "Dull painting? It's an Alfie Bronx piece—did you ever finish school, not knowing who he is?"Cindy pointed at Frank. "What, just because he said so? He could say it's by King Arthur for all I care!""Haha!" Zeb laughed. "Sir, I don't mind telling you but paintings are easiest to fake, especially if they're old. No canvas would be preserved this well—the way I see it, it's fake."Gina and the others nodded repeatedly. "Exactly. Mr. Larkin is right."They had not the faintest idea about antique or art, but if Zeb said so, then it must be."Just throw it away already, Grandpa," Peter then told Henry. "Why would you keep a bootleg?"Henry quickly put it away and sna
Zeb, Gina, Cindy, and Peter all laughed at Randall's words.Helen just happened to be done greeting guests when she came and heard them laughing. "What's going on? Why's everyone laughing?"Peter quickly told her, "Frank brought a present, saying it's Alfie Bronx's work… but Mr. Young called it a fake without even needing a look!"Helen frowned. "Why?""Because the only real privately owned Bronx piece is hanging in Gerald Simmons' office!" Cindy laughed, clutching her stomach and almost falling over.Helen glanced at Frank and sighed.She could understand him well enough to tell that he just wanted to show off in front of her grandfather and did not expect to be exposed."That's enough. It's just a painting—Frank was probably tricked too, right Frank?" she asked, trying to bail Frank out from the awkwardness.Frank did not play along, however. "Randall Young never even looked at it. How would he know if it's a fake? Also, I got it from Gerald Simmons' office.""Haha! You real
"Oh, it's not a problem," Gina assured Aron before wheeling on Frank. "Go on, bring your painting.""What are you doing, Mom?!" Helen snapped with a scowl—if the real Bronx was being hung in Gerald Simmons' office, Aron would definitely recognize it!Did she really have to go that far just to humiliate Frank?Gina giggled smugly in turn. "Don't you dare side with him—he's the one who kept insisting that it's real. Let's see what he's going to say now!""What…" Helen bit her lip, speechless.On the other hand, Frank remained impassive as he passed the painting to Aron, who was stunned when he saw it.Gina hurried up to him, asking, "So? Is it real?"Zeb, Cindy and Peter were staring at Frank in turn, waiting for him to embarrass himself!Aron inhaled deeply and said, "Of course it's real.""See—wait, what's that?" Gina froze before she could start mocking Frank. "Are you sure, Mr. Lynch?""Of course," Aron nodded repeatedly. "I've seen this painting every day for so long, sinc
Zeb appeared totally embarrassed—he was well aware that he did not know Gerald at all, let alone be recognized by his secretary!"Please don't shout, Mrs. Lane!" He pulled Gina to make her sit.Gina, however, beamed at him. "Oh, why are you being so humble, Zeb?"Aron turned toward Zeb just then and muttered in confusion, "But I've never heard of him.""What?"Gina, Cindy, Helen, and Peter were dumbfounded, while Gina quickly pressed, "Didn't Mr. Simmons reserve this hall for Mr. Larkin?""You're kidding." Aron snorted before turning to Frank, "Mr. Simmons only decided to make the reservation for Mr. Lawrence. Why else would Mr. Lawrence possess Mr. Simmons' privately owned painting?"Aron himself found out about that just this morning, though he did not ask questions despite his doubts."What?!"Everyone was left dumbfounded again, staring at Frank in shock while Zeb was left humiliated."I'll be going now if there's nothing else," Aron said."Please, Mr. Lynch. At least st
Zeb was going to make the bigwigs' acquaintance, but he did not even have a chance to greet them when they all turned toward Frank."Mr. Lawrence, our chief would like to invite you for an exchange at Flora Hall. You must come whenever you have the time.""Mr. Lawrence, our chief cordially invites you to…""Mr. Lawrence, my daughter is…"Everyone spoke all at once, encircling and flattering Frank to kingdom come.Exasperated, Frank could only nod and agree to their requests.Naturally, Zeb, Gina, Cindy, and Peter were all gaping, with Gina's jaw almost dropping on the floor right then. "W-Why are they being so nice to him?"Beside her, Cindy and Peter looked like they ate dung.The crowd around them who were watching were busy gossiping among themselves too."My god, who is he? All the representatives from major groups are hovering around him!""I don't know… But isn't he Helen's lowlife ex-husband?""Are you sure? A lowlife being extended so many invitations?"Meanwhile, t
Helen regretted what she said soon after and switched gears by trying to show concern for Frank. "I mean, I'm just worried about you…""Worried? What for?" Frank asked."That those people would trick you," Helen said, still convinced that Frank was too innocent for the world.After all, she believed that he had not seen the world outside in the three years that they were married, not knowing that Frank might be more experienced than she was.Frank laughed confidently in turn. "Thanks for your concern, but that's not going to happen at the moment."-When Helen finally brought Frank back to the hilltop mansion at Skywater Bay, Winter was already waiting at the door.She hurried to him, leaping into his arms when she saw him return. "Welcome back, Frank."Seeing her reaction, Frank quickly asked, "What happened?""Nothing. I was just getting bored staying home…" Winter shook her head.Helen alighted just then as well and was surprised to see Winter.Judging from her youthful a
Frank said, "I'd be near enough that way while you can make a living for yourself. What do you think?""Sure, that's good." Carol nodded repeatedly but soon paused. "But wouldn't buying a whole shop be very expensive? I don't really need it that badly…"Frank smiled. "Don't worry—I can afford it.""Then… Thank you very much. I don't know what else I can say," Carold exclaimed. "Can I have Winter with me too? Don't worry—we won't run away.""Are you still wary of me, Madam Zims?" Frank asked in surprise.He could not say that he was not hurt with how careful she was around him, especially since he was sincere.Carol shook her head and made sure Winter was not around before saying, "No… I think you know about Winter's situation too, that she's not my daughter…?""I am aware. I don't mind telling you that I showed up at your snackbar the first time to look for her," Frank admitted, having no reason to hide it since Carol was now opening up to him.Carol nodded in turn. "Yes, but W