Lydia made her entrance, her white gown sparkling with diamonds, catching the light in a way that made her seem like royalty.Her smile was demure as she said, "I couldn't help but express my fondness for the painting. I hope you won't find my interruption too forward."Stephen and Caleb, ever the gentlemen, assured her it was no bother at all, inviting her to join the conversation.Madeline saw right through her sister's display but said nothing, frowning ever so slightly."The Impressionist masterpiece Sunset in Venice or San Giorgio Maggiore at Dusk by Claude Monet captures the breathtaking beauty of Venice's famed skyline. This piece captures the breathtaking view of the Grand Canal at sunset, showcasing Monet's mastery of light and color."Looking at the piece, one could only see a photograph, making it hard to tell if it was the real deal. However, if it were authentic, it would be a collector's dream. "An elderly man with white hair chimed in, "You've got that right..."
The moment Madeline finished, applause erupted from Baxter's entourage."Bravo!""Exactly!""Our culture is rich and timeless, beyond the reach of any ordinary nation or person.""To be ignorant of one's heritage yet speak of others… That's being foolish!"Lydia was taken aback. She had only meant to throw a few veiled jabs at Madeline, but with a few sharp words, Madeline painted her as a sellout—someone without a true appreciation for their own culture.Lydia's face was a storm of shock, anger, and irritation. "Madeline, you might not be my biggest fan, but do you really have to drag my name through the mud? I was just suggesting you travel abroad and see the world a bit. What's the big deal? I'm trying to help you, and you twist it into something ugly."Madeline's voice was ice, "Keep your 'help' to yourself. We don't need that kind of trouble."Lydia's face twisted into something almost unrecognizable. "You!"Cilix jumped in, trying to defuse the tension. "Come on. It's ju
Trevon watched the standoff between the two with a quiet intensity.Since it was Madeline's first time at an event like that, he thought she would be a fish out of water. However, she was cool as a cucumber.He mulled over how she had held her own at the company and realized that Madeline was more than just a whiz in the kitchen. She had a knack for just about everything.Lydia, though, was a different story. She could not keep her composure. Her face was pale, and her body wobbled like she was about to fall over.He just could not stand by and watch.Trevon sauntered up and handed Lydia a glass of champagne. "Fancy this painting? Want me to snag it for you later?"Lydia glanced at the champagne and chuckled quietly. "A gem like this? Who wouldn't be charmed? However, let someone else who really needs it have it."Trevon raised an eyebrow. "So, what's caught your eye? Go for it during the auction."Madeline smiled and kept mum. With Trevon stepping in, the conversation around t
Trevon's brow twitched. He nodded and kept walking. Lydia caught his hand and asked, "Trevon, can you really be this distant?" He did not have the heart to pull away as he murmured, "Lydia, let go! This isn't good for us."Trevon murmured, a mix of weariness and resolve on his face."I don't care. I just want to be with you," Lydia said with a hollow laugh.Trevon insisted, "I've been clear. The offer still stands. Think it over, then come talk to me."He tried to loosen her grip, but she clung on.They tussled quietly.Qasim, with his entourage in tow, caught sight of the scene, and his face darkened. "Mr. Gibson, what's going on here?"Trevon calmly slipped his hand out of Lydia's grasp. "We just bumped into each other."Qasim was not about to miss his chance. He stared at Lydia with an intensity that left no room for escape."Ms. Sanders, what's the deal with you and Mr. Gibson? Don't worry. If you're feeling wronged, just let it out. Even if I can't deal with him, Mada
Stepping out of the restroom, Madeline was not surprised to find Trevon waiting there in the deserted hallway."Time to head out. The auction's about to kick off."The crowd was already trickling toward the auction stage. Trevon's reserved spot was, of course, front and center.Madeline quickly looked around and found Caleb and his crew conveniently close by."Seen anything else that caught your eye, Caleb?" Madeline inquired.Caleb shook his head. "I've looked over everything, but that one's the best by far.""Guess we'll see soon enough," Madeline agreed, eager for another glimpse.Unbeknownst to her, Lydia overheard the exchange and smirked to herself. 'So, Madeline's got her eye on that painting? Well, she's going home empty-handed today!'Lydia slid back into her seat and leaned toward Cilix. "Dad, I went to apologize to Mr. Jurado. They're eyeing Sunset in Venice, but they seem short on cash. If we snag it and gift it to the museum, it'll definitely make them see us in a
The bidding started at 450 thousand dollars, climbing by 15 thousand with each new offer. Before anyone knew it, the price had skyrocketed to a million and two hundred thousand dollars. Caleb was relentless, his hand shooting up time and again. Madeline, visibly worried, gave his sleeve a gentle tug. "Caleb..." Caleb flashed her a calming smile. "Trust me. I've got this under control." Immediately after, he upped the ante by another 75 thousand. Madeline's expression said it all. 'Control? Really?'She was about to protest when Trevon yanked her back. "Madeline, that's enough," he hissed, his voice a mix of warmth and annoyance that brushed past her ear. She tensed up, instinctively pulling away from him. "What do you mean 'that's enough'?"Trevon clenched his jaw. "We're in public. You're chatting up Caleb like you've forgotten you're Mrs. Gibson."Madeline bit her lip. She had reacted impulsively, without much thought."Fine, I get it."She settled back into her
Everyone thought fakes would be rare at an auction, but it was not out of the question.Madeline's gut told her something was off with that painting, probably because Bella had once shown her the ropes of art restoration, teaching her how to make a fake look like the genuine article.By some twist of fate, the painting up for auction was none other than her own 'capstone project'. Her signature mark was still there, cleverly hidden among the brushstrokes.Bella always said that a good forgery needed one deliberate flaw. That mark was Madeline's intentional slip-up.However, Bella had insisted all those paintings were destroyed. How on earth did that one end up there?Madeline's thoughts were a tangled mess, and she had not even noticed Trevon's return.Trevon was aware that Lydia had outbid Caleb for a coveted piece. Seeing Madeline's sour expression, he mistook her dismay for lingering anger over the incident.Trevon smirked mockingly. "You're getting all worked up over Caleb's
"An Edo period ceramic?"That particular piece featured a vibrant red glaze—a rarity indeed. Madeline, captivated by such an exceptional artifact, shared her knowledge."Edo period ceramics refer to the pottery and porcelain produced in Japan during the Edo period. This era was marked by peace, economic stability, and a flourishing of arts and culture under the Tokugawa shogunate.""Edo period ceramics are renowned for their high quality and artistic designs. Artisans paid meticulous attention to detail, creating intricate patterns and vibrant colors. These ceramics remain highly collectible and are admired for their beauty, craftsmanship, and historical significance."Madeline could not help but express her genuine admiration. "This ceramic is pure, its color bright and lustrous, its surface smooth, and it's in impeccable condition—a true gem among treasures."Her beautiful, sly eyes sparkled as she spoke.Trevon felt his pulse quicken. "Really? Why's that?"Madeline shot him