Her Precious Baby

Chapter 5

“While the painting is good, it’s, unfortunately, a counterfeit!” Angeline’s voice wasn’t all that loud, but it drifted into everyone’s ears.

“What? A counterfeit?”

“H-How is that possible? How could it be a counterfeit when it’s a gift from Mr. Golding?”

That single remark created a great uproar. Everyone’s expressions turned incredulous though their opinions differed. Some even criticized Angeline for being arrogant and ignorant because of her young age.

“Y-You… unfilial granddaughter! What have I ever done to deserve this?” Wilfred thumped his chest in anger, almost keeling over.

Seeing red, Joseline shoved Angeline away and reproached loudly, “What do you know, Angeline? This is a painting gifted by Mr. Golding himself! Yet, you claim that it’s counterfeit? Do you have an eyesight problem?”

Angeline merely smirked. Sweeping her gaze over the crowd, she languidly countered, “As far as I know, Charlie Day’s greatest love in his life was his paintings. He couldn’t part from them even when he was eating or sleeping. When he was dying, he burned all his paintings. Therefore, it’s difficult to find a genuine painting by him on the market today!”

In the end, her gaze met Evander’s.

Evander’s expression was grim, his dark and unfathomable eyes glinting sharply. It was as though he could see through her with a mere glance, intimidating her to the core.

His thin lips innately curved upward slightly, and he seemingly wasn’t affected by her words.

Angeline came to a conclusion—he’s someone I can’t afford to offend.

Thus, she changed her tune and added, “Despite being a counterfeit, this painting’s colors are distinct, and its detail excellent. Even the lines at the edges of the clouds are brisk and outstanding. Judging from the texture and color of this paper, one can effortlessly tell that it was also from the same period as Charlie Day’s works. In short, it’s also a priceless piece of artwork!”

She loved art and had been studying it since she was young. Although she had been engaged in a different industry for the past few years, she had never given up on painting and researching the paintings of renowned painters. For that reason, she could tell a painting’s quality with a mere look.

After Hanson, who had been standing at the side silently, heard her methodical explanation, the repugnance in his gaze as he looked at her faded slightly. In fact, he spaced out as he scrutinized her profile.

He used to be family friends with Angeline and Joseline. He had liked Angeline for many years and initially wanted to propose to her, but he never expected her to be so shameless to get pregnant out of wedlock.

During the five years she was away, Joseline confessed her love to him. Only then did he learn to accept the latter slowly.

At that moment, Angeline shone brightly before everyone, evoking the beautiful memories she once left him. Hence, he inevitably started falling for her again.

Joseline perceptively noticed the man’s thoughts. Her face promptly flushed bright red. “How dare you! Stop spouting nonsense here, Angeline! This painting is a gift from Mr. Golding himself!” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

As her gaze alighted on Evander, sheer confidence imbued her.

Alas, things didn’t progress the way she expected.

“This is indeed a counterfeit.”

The instant Evander’s voice rang out, the main hall of the Sorelle residence plunged into dead silence.

Everyone held their breaths, not daring to utter a single word.

It’s really a counterfeit?

At the very second, Joseline, Wilfred, and all other relatives of the Sorelle family had utter embarrassment written all over their faces.

On the contrary, Evander remained calm and unruffled. It was as though everything that transpired had nothing to do with him.

He was elegant, aloof, and dispassionate.

Under Angeline’s stunned gaze, he strolled over to her side and dangerously flashed her an unfathomable smile. “How did you know that Charlie Day burned all his paintings while on his deathbed, Ms. Angeline?”