Winner Takes All novel Chapter 128

Boom!

The statement shocked everyone. The atmosphere tensed up instantly. Steve’s mood immediately took a dive. Amber’s mother’s expression also darkened. Minister Mable and Director Lansing were both stunned.

“Mr. Warnock, Jack will not take a fake antique to present as a gift.” Amber quickly came to Jack’s defense.

This was the first time Jack met her parents. With her family background, her parents would not take issue with the value of Jack’s gift but if the gift was fake, then it would take a different meaning! That meant that he was insincere and disrespectful to the recipient of the gift.

“Yes, Warnock, have a good look. Don’t accuse him unnecessarily.” Director Lansing sided with Amber. He knew about Jack’s identity and how could he give a fake gift? He was certain that Artist Warnock made a mistake!

Minister Mable also said, “Warnock, you just had a glance. You must have seen wrongly. You are always so rash. Why are you so quick to make a judgment?”

“Who says?” Artist Warnock glared at Minister Mable.

He was one of the Master artists of the country and internationally renowned. Each of his artwork was valued in the millions of yuan. He was immersed in the art world for decades and had assessed countless antique artwork.

Perhaps he can make a mistake for other pieces of antique artwork. But for the calligraphy of Tang Bohu’s ‘Voyage of Qiantang’, he can distinguish the fake from the original with just a glance!

“You…”

Minister Mable’s eyes twitched, he looked at Jack and then back towards Artist Warnock and said, “You stubborn ass, today Amber brought his boyfriend to meet her parents, why do you have to be such a killjoy?”

How can the son of the Hughes family give a fake artwork? Wasn’t that an international disgrace?

If this were to antagonize Jack, with a word from the Hughes family, Warnock’s reputation would be at stake even if he was a renowned master artist.

“Mable, why are you blaming me?”

Artist Warnock said solemnly, “Do you think that my title as the country’s master artist was freely given to me? I can’t accept that this young man gave Steve a fake painting on their first meeting. The significance of a gift is of utmost importance. If you can’t afford an expensive gift then you can give a cheaper gift but it can’t be a fake!”

Minister Mable and Director Lansing were gripped by anxiety and their hearts raced. The two of them exchanged looks but were helpless. Warnock was clearly threading on the razor’s edge. He was making a huge mistake!

But they were very clear how stubborn Warnock was. When it came to artwork, he couldn’t accept any inadequacies.

“Mr. Warnock, please explain why do you think that this is a fake.” Jack was calm and smiled. The drawing was prepared by Mr. Ward and he didn’t view it after receiving it. But he believed that Mr. Ward wouldn’t give him a fake artwork to present it as a gift.

Minister Mable and Director Lansing’s hearts sank.

“Ah! You’re rather calm even when challenged by an expert!” Artist Warnock scoffed and arrogantly said, “Okay, I’ll let the facts convince you. I’ll teach you not to challenge a master artist like me with a fake artwork!”

After he said, he looked at Steve, and politely said, “Steve, please be patient with me.” Steve smiled faintly and nodded. He then looked coldly at Jack.

He was not at all impressed with Jack’s status. Although Jack had performed very well with DT Real Estate Agency, those achievements were insignificant in Steve’s eyes. But Jack’s temperament was something that had Steve’s approval. However, the fake artwork totally dashed whatever good impression he had of Jack.

Amber was panicking inside her and grabbed Jack’s hand tightly. She was so anxious that her palms were perspiring. She wanted to help Jack with an explanation but now that the situation had devolved to this stage, it was no longer within her abilities.

Warnock took up the ’Voyage of Qiantang’ and didn’t even look at it. With a lofty expression and said with full of confidence, “ ‘Voyage of Qiantang’ was a masterpiece of Tang Yin, with Tang Yin’s reputation in the art industry, this drawing’s value was worth 24.64 Million yuan three years ago!”

Boom!

With that said, the entire room was shocked! Although everyone there was extremely wealthy, their knowledge of art collection was very limited. They were certainly not as familiar with calligraphy as a master artist such as Warnock.

If the drawing was worth over twenty million yuan, then this gift was far too valuable! Jack was also shocked that Mr. Ward was so extravagant to hand him something worth over twenty million yuan to give away as a gift!

Following this, Jack smiled, “Mr. Warnock, although I’m not as accomplished as you gentlemen here, I am still able to afford a twenty million yuan gift.”

“Not only you are young, but you are also rather arrogant!” Warnock started to frown and his gentle and pleasant demeanor started to turn ferocious.

Amber’s eyes sparkled and thought about Jack’s worth and indeed he could afford twenty million yuan. She was about to speak up for Jack when Warnock continued.

Warnock scoffed with disdain at Jack, “Did you hear me clearly? The value which I said was three years ago!”

“I heard you clearly.” Jack nodded calmly.

“Do you know why I’m so certain of its value of 24.64 Million yuan?”

Warnock’s eyes lit up, scoffed, and said sternly, “That year I was present when this artwork was auctioned. The artwork was bought at 24.64 Million yuan and bought by a mysterious buyer!”

“Additionally, after the artwork was bought, it had not surfaced since. Young man, don’t tell me you are the one who bought this artwork?”

Kaboom!

Amber’s body trembled and was shocked. Three years ago… was the year when Jack and Katherine married. How could Jack have the money to buy the artwork at that time?

Could it be… that this artwork was fake? At that moment, Amber felt her vision darken as if her heart was being snatched away and she felt indescribably empty.

Steve’s expression turned totally cold. He did not doubt what Warnock said. Warnock was the country’s master artist and an expert in this area. What he had said must be the facts.

“Jack, I really didn’t expect you to be so deceptive like a snake!” Steve said sternly, “That year when I saw you, you were still an intelligent and honest young man!”

“Mr. Knight…” Jack became flustered.

“What else do you have to say?” Steve waved his hand in anger, “I and her mother agreed to see you because Amber likes you. Based on my background, I will not care about the value of your gift but I only care if you are genuine. What are your intentions for bringing a fake artwork? Are you trying to tell me that you are not serious and genuine towards my Amber?”

“Steve, stop accusing Jack. Perhaps he was mistaken and didn’t know that the artwork was fake?” Director Lansing anxiously said.

Minister Mable gave Warnock a push and glared at him, “Warnock, you only had a glance. How could you be so sure? Look at it again. What if you were mistaken and wronged Jack?”

He knew Jack’s identity and personally witnessed the head of the Hughes family announce his willingness to accept Madam Hughes into the family ancestral hall for the sake of Jack. Had it been someone else, Minister Mable would choose to believe Warnock. But Jack was the one who gave the artwork. Why would he give a fake artwork? Would there be any artwork that the Hughes family can’t obtain?

“Mable, if you doubt me again, don’t blame me for ending our friendship!” Warnock became furious and glared at Minister Mable, “It’s fake! I say it’s fake and it’s a fake! It can’t be real!”

Minister Mable was so frustrated that he wanted to pound his chest.

Just at this moment, Steve said furiously, “Jack, please leave!”