The First Heir (First Heir)

chapter 34

A fake! The crowd in the gallery exploded. It's actually fake!

"Impossible! How can this be fake? We've all seen it. It's real." Charles quickly explained. "Although I am not as famous as Master Russell, I can still tell the authenticity of a painting. How can this be fake?"

Russell knew that Charles was going to deny, so he analyzed the painting on the spot. “This painting can be said to be wrong as original work. No wonder you don't know. But if you all take a closer look, the lines on some of these images are not full enough. There is a clear gradient indicated on the line and color. This is a defect caused by the machine, and it is so delicate that many people cannot know it.”.

As the crowd listened to Russell's explanation, they finally realized the truth.

"So, it's fake! Charles Johnston, you're too much!"

"Yes! After a day of tension, you showed us the fake! What does it give?"

In an instant, the crowd began to release their dissatisfaction. Charles was now nervous and embarrassed. How can it be fake? How come?

Aiden frowned loudly as he stood to the side, staring at Philip, who was still standing in the corner. Suddenly, he pulled Charles' arm and whispered into the man's ear, "Uncle Johnston, can Philip take the wrong painting?"

Taking the wrong painting? Charles soon realized. It must! Philip must have taken the painting wrong!

Not long after, Charles ignored the criticism from the crowd. He rushed over to Philip, giving him another slap as he roared furiously, "Philip, did you bring that fake painting of yours?! Are you trying to humiliate me on purpose?"

Charles was angry. He had gone through so much trouble to plan this exhibition, hoping that it could increase his fame. But now, a colossal misunderstanding had occurred instead. It's too embarrassing. Charles considered himself little known among collectors, so he chose to vent his frustration on Philip.

When Russell saw this, his anger instantly flared up. He wanted to go to stop Charles, but Philip looked at him with a cold gaze.

Philip then quickly said, "Sorry, Dad. I took the wrong one. I'll go back now and take it again."

"Go now!" Charles was boiling, his gaze ice-cold. How could he have such a useless son-in-law?

Aiden stood behind Charles with a cold smile playing on his lips. The man was filled with provocative intentions. After Philip rushed out, Aiden continued to whisper in Charles' ear, "Uncle Johnston, I think Philip must have done it on purpose. Obviously he doesn't like you, but you're still his father-in-law no matter what. For him to humiliate you in such an important event is just..”.

"Hmph! He's trash! Once I get back, Wynn will divorce her soon!" Charles cut Aiden's words, still boiling with anger.

Aiden was very happy. He had now achieved his goal, so he secretly clenched his fists in victory. Haha, Wynn Johnston will soon be mine!

After Philip left, Charlese apologetically said, "I'm sorry everyone, it's the wrong painting. I've sent my son-in-law back home to get it right."

Charles was about to speak when Aiden cut and explained with a laugh, "Like this. A few days ago it was Uncle Johnston's birthday. Me and Uncle Johnston's son-in-law, Philip, have each prepared a gift, which is a painting, Friendship in the Spring Mountains. This counterfeit piece was bought by Uncle Johnston's son-in-law from the antiques market to give to Uncle Johnston. As for the real one, I had spent two million dollars to buy it from a friend to give to Uncle Johnston. And that trash, Philip finally brought the wrong one.”.

After that explanation, everyone seemed to have a better idea. In an instant, the people in the hall began to disperse Philip.

"There is someone who will actually buy art from the antique market to give to his father-in-law as a gift! It's stingy."

"Huh, that's not news. Charles' son-in-law is publicly known as useless trash."

"I think Aiden is a good young man, and Charles' daughter is beautiful. They should be a couple instead."

Among the crowd, Russell's expression darkened as he listened to this discussion. These people had no idea that Mr. Clarke was an elite, wealthy person capable of investing two billion without hesitation!

Russell had already known the situation now from his explanation. The painting he gave to Mr. Clarke was the original painting, but Charles Johnston, who preferred power, considered the painting from Philip a fake. The counterfeit goods are then treated as genuine goods while the original goods are discarded as counterfeit goods.

The painting Philip was going to take home now was the one Russell had given himself to him. Only, after Aiden's words earlier, everyone now assumed that the one Philip brought home was the one Aiden gave.

Russell stroked his chin as a thin grin appeared on his lips. All right, he'll just embarrass that brat, Aiden, as a way to help Mr. Clarke.

Shortly thereafter, Philip returned with another painting. Now, Theo was still mixing with the crowd as he watched quietly.

Charles approached Philip personally and took the painting from him while berating, "Junk! Stand in the corner! I'll take care of you when I get back!"

Philip sighed helplessly and smiled flatly before returning to stand in the corner.

The painting is again presented. Charles immediately invited Russell to rate the new work. "Mr Russell, please take a look at this. It's a real painting."

Russell pretended to think hard, nodded and praised as he looked, "Great, now this is the real one! This is Tang Bohu's original painting!"

After hearing this, Charles' emotional turmoil finally calmed down, and he could not hide the smile on his face.

However, Russell's next sentence shocked everyone in the exhibition hall. "Mrs. Grant, right? Are you sure this painting is a painting you bought from your friend?" Russell smiled at Aiden, who looked very confident.