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
Trevon eventually won the Edo period ceramic double-eared vase for 10.2 million dollars. The foreign businessman kept upping his bid, but Trevon stayed one step ahead, adding another 100 thousand dollars each time, much to the businessman's dismay.Stephen's smile was genuine as he congratulated Trevon. As long as the piece was not leaving with the foreign bidder, it was a win for the Ferguson family.The businessman stormed off. Qasim hurried after him, likely to offer some words of comfort.Madeline's eyes widened in surprise. "Those businessmen are with the Gibson Group? Isn't it kind of rude to snub them like that?"Trevon was nonchalant. "Qasim was the one who insisted on dragging them along. They've got nothing to do with the Gibson Group."He got up, took Madeline by the hand, and made their exit.Madeline barely had a chance to say a quick word to Caleb, managing only a wave goodbye. She missed how Sadie, who was usually so aloof, watched Trevon with stars in her eyes.A
Madeline had enough of Lydia's nonsense and moved on. Maybe it was exhaustion setting in, but Madeline's legs felt like jelly, and there was a tightness in her chest. Despite her sharp words to Lydia, she could not shake off a sense of unease. Deep down, she knew Lydia was not entirely wrong. There was some truth in her words.Trevon was not one to play all sides. His decision to involve Cilix was a big deal. He barely glanced at Lydia, his eyes filled with a restrained, deep-seated emotion. Such feelings were not easily dismissed. Madeline let out a wry smile. Who was she to demand someone to forget their feelings? She had chosen to let go. It was time to stop caring. With a mental note to keep moving forward, Madeline followed the group into a private room.The donation was a big deal, and it deserved a proper sit-down. The auction house staff had everything arranged, with Stephen sitting off to the side, ready to act as a witness.Baxter had a straightforward plan to ho
Madeline's heart raced, and she turned to see what happened.Trevon was steadying Lydia, whose champagne glass was tilting precariously.A few glaring water spots were on the Sunset in Venice painting.Baxter looked like someone had punched him in the gut. "Bringing drinks near the artwork? What were you thinking?!"He would have given a student an earful for less. However, Lydia, of all people, was the benefactor, and he found himself at a loss for words to reprimand her.Lydia's complexion was ghostly pale. "It wasn't intentional. I..."Her grip on Trevon's shirt was desperate, a mix of anxiety and fear.All she wanted was a moment with Trevon. Ignored, she tried to fake her usual fragility, but the self-inflicted cut had left her genuinely weak. A sudden dizziness overtook her, and the champagne she held spilled out.Madeline's gaze softened as she relieved Lydia of her glass and passed it to a server. "Ms. Sanders isn't well. Trevon, please help her to a seat."Only then d
Baxter truly felt for Cilix.He knew the man had wanted to donate the painting, but no matter how much empathy he felt, a fake was a fake.It just could not be accepted as a real artifact. The whole point of a donation would be lost. Baxter rubbed his nose, a nervous habit, and offered a compromise."This painting is a copy, sure, but it's so close to the real deal that it could fool anyone. It's got some value for study. The museum could buy it from you instead, Mr. Sanders. What do you say?"Baxter hinted that the donation was off the table, and the price would be modest at best.Cilix's face lost some of its color as he smiled wryly. "If it's valuable for research, then I insist it goes to the museum. In the hands of a regular guy like me, it's pretty much worthless."Baxter winced. "Then, the donation certificate will have to be a plain one."Cilix dismissed the idea with a wave of his hand. "For a replica? It doesn't need a fancy certificate."Relieved, Baxter grasped Ci