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!

by the crowd. He hastened over to Philip, giving him another slap as he

colossal misunderstanding had occurred instead. This was just too embarrassing. Charles

He wanted to

quickly said, “I’m sorry, Dad. I took the wrong one. I’ll go

gaze ice-cold. How could he have such a

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 you, but you’re still his father-in-law no matter what. For him to embarrass you in such

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

now reached his goal, so he quietly clenched his fists

“I’m sorry everyone, it was the wrong painting. I’ve already sent

Charles kept apologizing, someone perked up and asked, “Charles, what do you mean by ‘wrong painting’? Do you actually

each, which was the painting, Companionship at the Spring Mountains. This

a better idea. In an instant, the

who would actually buy art from an antique market to give to their father-in-law as a

publicly known to

nice young man, and Charles’s

Russell’s expression darkened as he listened to these discussions. These people did not know that Mr. Clarke was an elite, rich man who could