The First Heir

A fake! The crowd in the gallery burst into an uproar. It was actually a fake!

“Impossible! How could this be a fake? We’ve all seen it before. It’s a genuine piece.” Charles quickly explained. “Although I’m not as famous as Master Russell, I can still tell a painting’s authenticity. How could this be a fake?”

Russell knew that Charles would be in denial, so he analyzed the painting on the spot. “This painting could be said to be mistaken for the genuine piece. It’s not surprising if you guys can’t tell. But if you all take a closer look, the lines on these few figures are not full enough. There is an obvious gradient shown on the lines and color. This is a defect caused by machines, and it’s very subtle so many people can’t actually tell…”

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

“So, it’s a fake! Charles Johnston, you’re too much!”

“Yeah! After a whole day of suspense, you ended up showing us a fake instead! What gives?”

In an instant, the crowd started unleashing their dissatisfaction. Charles was now nervous and ashamed. How could it be a fake? How was it possible?

Aiden frowned hard as he stood aside, looking at Philip, who was still standing in a corner. Suddenly, he tugged Charles’s arm and whispered into the man’s ear, “Uncle Johnston, could Philip have taken the wrong painting?”

Took the wrong painting? Charles immediately came to his senses. It must be! Philip must have taken the wrong painting!

done, Charles ignored the criticism by the crowd. He hastened over to Philip, giving him another slap as he roared in anger, “Philip, did you bring that fake painting of

exhibition, hoping that it could raise his fame. But now, a colossal misunderstanding had occurred instead. This was just too embarrassing. Charles considered himself a little well-known in the collectors’ community, so he chose to vent his

anger flared up immediately. He wanted to go over to stop Charles,

said, “I’m sorry, Dad. I took the wrong one. I’ll go back now and get

now!” Charles was seething, his gaze ice-cold. How could he have such a

had rushed out, Aiden continued to whisper in Charles’s ear, “Uncle Johnston, the way I see it, Philip must have done it on purpose. It’s clear that he dislikes

I get back, I’ll have Wynn divorce him immediately!” Charles cut off Aiden’s words,

his goal, so he quietly clenched

Philip left, Charlese apologetically said, “I’m sorry everyone, it was the wrong painting. I’ve already sent my son-in-law back

apologizing, someone perked up and asked, “Charles, what do you mean by ‘wrong painting’? Do you actually have two of the same

speak up when Aiden cut in and explained with a laugh, “It’s like this. It was Uncle Johnston’s birthday a few days ago. Me and Uncle Johnston’s son-in-law, Philip, had both prepared a present each, which was the painting, Companionship at the Spring Mountains. This fake piece was bought by Uncle Johnston’s son-in-law from an antique market to give to Uncle Johnston. As

better idea. In an instant, the people

antique market to

news. Charles’s son-in-law is publicly known to be

man, and Charles’s daughter is beautiful. They

people did not know that Mr. Clarke was an elite, rich man who could