Chapter 201
The room went dead silent.
The eager look in Grandpa Josiah’s eyes started to fade away.
“Ms. Flora, what proof do you have to say this painting is a fake?” Paul asked, his eyes narrowing with a hint of hostility. It was clear that if Flora couldn’t back up her claim, Paul wasn’t going to let her off the hook easily.
The guests thought Flora was being ridiculous too. How could a young woman, who probably didn’t even know the artist’s name, tell if the painting was real or not?
Out of respect for Flora being Connor’s fiancée, they only whispered amongst themselves, too polite to confront her directly.
“Ethan used a special material in his brush that would reveal a dark blue pattern on the back of the painting under light. If it doesn’t show, it’s a fake, Flora declared confidently.
Everyone instinctively turned to look at the back of the painting. All they saw was plain white, no dark blue pattem in sight.
“Who can prove that what you say is legit?” Yvonne snapped angrily. “I could just as easily say there’s no such thing as dark blue patterns.”
Just then, an elderly man stepped forward from the crowd. Staring at the painting, he said in a deep voice, “This young lady is correct this is indeed a forgery. I once had the privilege of watching Ethan at work, and as she mentioned, the paint contained a special material that would reveal a dark blue pattern under strong light as an anti forgery measure.”
The elder was a renowned expert in antique paintings and a distinguished professor at the university, known for his impeccable reputation.
No one doubted his words. Suddenly, the expressions of those present changed. So, the painting was indeed a fake.
The Brimer family’s faces turned beet red. They had spent a fortune on a fake painting, and to present it to Grandpa Josiah in front of everyone was beyond humiliating!
“Ha ha ha, whether it’s real or fake, the thought is what counts, Grandpa Josiah said, instructing for the painting to be put away. He didn’t want the Brimmers to be too embarrassed at his birthday party
It was a good thing someone had pointed out the forgery now Otherwise, if he hung it up or showed it off, only to have it later exposed as a fake, that would have been even more mortifying
“My dear, what’s your name?” Grandpa Josiah asked Flors warmly, his eyes twinkling
For some reason, he felt an immediate sense of familiarity when he saw Flora. Her blue dress reminded him of someone who had once
saved him.
“Hello, Grandpa Josiah I’m Flora Flora replied, bowing politely
“Flora” Grandpa Josiah repeated her name, his eyes lingering on the hands Flora and Connor were holding “So, you’re Connor’s fiancee?”
Flora blushed slightly, while Connor nodded confidently
Grandpa Josiah laughed heartily. “Connor, I thought you’d never fall for a woman, but here you are, head over heels for this young lady” “My dear, tell me, this lad hasn’t been giving you a hard time, has he?
“Grandpa Josiah, Flora was quite the star at school. Countless boys were smitten with her it’s no wonder Connor fell for her Yvonne said sarcastically 1 wonder what the Irving family has brought as a birthday gift. It must be something very special ”