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
Madeline straightened up from her slouched position, her eyes locking with Trevon's. "What are you getting at?"Trevon let out a ridiculing chuckle. "You might fool everyone else, but not me. Your face gave you away when you inspected the painting at the auction. Caleb was acting off too. You kept blocking Caleb from placing his bids. Are you really going to sit there and tell me you had no clue the painting was forged?"Madeline's laugh was tinged with contempt. "Mr. Gibson, you're giving me too much credit. Even Mr. Jurado and his crew couldn't spot the fake. How could I?""No, you knew. I'm sure of it."Trevon's conviction was unshakable. Since the car crash, he learned never to underestimate anyone. He had seen enough of Madeline's artwork to recognize her talent—it was exceptional, even more so than some of the artists at Xystos Tech."Don't bother denying it. If you're innocent, prove it. Show me your messages with Caleb."Madeline's fingers twitched subtly as she lowered h
The car door slammed shut. The black Maybach zoomed off, only to stop again 50 meters down the road. Madeline's purse was tossed out, and its contents—a phone, folic acid pills, and more—spilled across the pavement. In her rush, she had left it behind.Trevon probably thought she did it on purpose, hoping for an excuse to get back in. Madeline strode over and picked up her things. The autumn wind was sharp, but it could not touch the chill in her heart. She looked at the deserted road with no cars in sight and let out a silent, bitter laugh. Inside the Maybach, Daniel spoke up. "It's not safe for a woman to walk alone at night. Mr. Gibson, we should go back for her."Trevon's expression was icy as he replied, "Just look at her. She's out of control. If we don't set her straight, she'll be walking all over me next!" Daniel replied, "She's just upset right now. Mr. Gibson, there's no need to take it to heart. Besides, being out on these streets at night is unsafe. Anything could
Trevon rushed to the hospital.Lydia, who had checked out to attend an auction, had collapsed and was then back in the emergency room. Her voice cracked through the phone, begging him to save her, though she left out the details.Trevon could not shake the worry, so he showed up.In the hospital room, Lydia was crying into her blanket—a heartbreaking sight.When Trevon walked in, she was stunned. "Trevon? Is it really you?"Ignoring the IV in her arm, she slipped out of bed, barefoot, and ran straight into his arms. "Trevon, it's really you! I thought you gave up on me too."Trevon tensed for a moment but quickly embraced her, gently guiding her back to bed.After getting the nurse to fix her IV, he soothed Lydia's worries.Lydia clung to him. "Dad's furious about the fake painting I bought. He's threatening to throw me out. Trevon, do you think he'd really do it?"Trevon could not hide his contempt for Cilix's reaction.All that over a painting? To say such things to his own
A bone-deep chill seized Trevon. His blood turned to ice, and his grip on the phone became rigid, almost paralyzed.After what felt like an eternity, he croaked out, "Why do you have Madeline's phone?""Madeline? Is that the owner's name?""I'm asking you, how did you get this phone?!" Trevon's voice thundered, startling the person on the other end."The phone was found on Green Jubilee Road. If you know the owner, you should come to the police station to claim it."Trevon's heart skipped a beat. "What are you saying? What do you mean it was found on Green Jubilee Road? Explain yourself."However, it was too late. The person had already hung up, rattled by Trevon's outburst.Staring at the disconnected call, Trevon's hand began to shake uncontrollably. He steadied it with his other hand and murmured, "Let's head to the police station."Daniel was just as panicked. The news report, the urgent voice on the call, and Trevon's look of dread—all signs pointed to trouble brewing.Da