abcnovels
Chapter 60
Chapter 60
Chapter 60
“Yes,” Lily answered. “They’ve been buddies since college!”
As she was saying this, in her mind, she was thinking, ‘Charlie, you and Douglas are good buddies but you have the nerve to give him a worthless piece of shit, let my dad expose and humiliate you in front of everyone!’
However, beyond everyone’s expectation, Lawson said with a grateful sigh, “Indeed, it seems that he is a good friend! Why would one give such a precious gift otherwise?”
Everyone was dumbfounded upon the statement!
What did he mean by ‘precious’? Was he saying that the yellowish drawing was expensive?
Exasperated, Clinton cursed inside his head, ‘Fuck you! I can go to Antique Street, buy a fake painting, pee on it to make it look old and yellowish, and it will still look more authentic than that piece of shit!’
Lawson cleared his throat and said in an earnest tone, “This is the authentic work of Rachel Ruysch, a painter from the Dutch Golden Age. Although she is not as famous nowadays, she was one of the most outstanding painters that ever existed in the world and the first female member of the Confrerie Pictura.”
Then, he looked back at the picture and said, “Hmm, I estimate that the market value for this painting is approximately two hundred thousand dollars.”
“What? Two hundred thousand dollars?” Lily was dumbfounded, her eyes were as big as golf balls. The painting that she assumed was less than a hundred dollars was so valuable!
Douglas was taken by surprise as well. He turned to Charlie and stuttered, “Hey, Charlie, why do you give me something so expensive? I can’t accept this, it’s too valuable…”
Charlie said with a smile, “Doug, it’s just my token of affection, let’s not put a price on everything.”
Douglas was very touched and grateful. He had never thought that his good buddy in college would be so generous with him!
On the other hand, Clinton’s face was as pale as a sheet of paper.
What was going on? That crappy piece of drawing was worth two hundred thousand? Damn it, it was cheating!
The rest of the people were equally shocked.
No one dared to look down upon Charlie anymore!
After all, he was someone who was so generous that he would buy a painting priced at two hundred thousand dollars as a gift!
Everyone was envious of Douglas for receiving such an expensive gift at the opening of his restaurant! He had hit the jackpot!
Meanwhile, Lily was also shocked. She instantly changed her opinion of Charlie!
She knew her father’s appraisal level very well. If her father claimed that the painting was worth two hundred thousand, then it must be true!
She couldn’t help but look at Charlie with awe, her eyes sparkling when she looked at him. She was very impressed by his generosity!
Claire frowned in confusion and asked, “Charlie, how much did you actually spend on that painting?”
Charlie smiled and said in a low voice, “Honestly, it didn’t cost me much. It was an acquaintance who sold me the painting. He got it at a low price from a collector, so the price he offered me was low too.”
Claire pursed her lips in disbelief. “Is that so? He was willing to sell a two hundred thousand dollar painting at only a several thousand? It sounds like a free lunch to me.”
“Not everyone takes money so seriously. I’m one of them. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have given the painting to Douglas, would I?”
Claire nodded lightly. Charlie was right. He wouldn’t have given such an expressive present if he put money before friendship. It seemed that her futile husband was quite charismatic and charming!
At this moment, Charlie stood up and looked at the flustered Clinton with a coy smile. “So, Mr. Clinton, how would you like the table to be prepared? Do you want to gnaw at it directly or should I chop it into pieces for you?