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At least for now, I haven’t heard of that collector selling this painting. Rossa didn’t even bother to investigate before passing off a fake. Ridiculous.
I turned to Rossa and smiled.
“I wonder, Miss Rossa, which collector did you purchase this painting from?”
Rossa’s eyes darted nervously.
“Well… that collector is very discreet and specifically asked me not to reveal their name. My apologies.”
“No need to apologize. I actually know who the collector is. I was having tea with him just last night and asked about purchasing this painting. He said he‘ d never part with it in his lifetime. I’m curious–when exactly did you convince
him to sell? Should I… give him a quick call to confirm?”
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James Ross, with his sharp tongue and charming smirk, didn’t hold back. His words left Rossa utterly flustered.
“That… that won’t be necessary… Since I’ve already acquired it, naturally-”
James Ross wasn‘ t about to let her off the
hook. He dialed the collector’s number
right in front of everyone and put the call
on speaker.
“Hello, Mr. Robert? It’s me, James Ross. You‘ re something else, huh? Didn’t you just say last night you wouldn’t part with the Tranquility of Bamboo and Feathered. Pair painting? How come it’s in the hands of a lady named Rossa?”
“What? Nonsense, James! That painting is still hanging in my studio. That Miss Rossa must be peddling a forgery!”
Hanging up, James Ross gave Rossa a sly smile, spread his hands and didn’t say another word.
The realization dawned on my mother–in-
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law, who immediately shoved the painting back into Rossa’s hands, her displeasure
evident.
“Cheap or expensive, I don‘ t care. But I absolutely detest forgeries being passed off as genuine. It’s an insult to art!”
Rossa’s face turned beet red. She slinked back to her seat, humiliated.
William, ever the knight for his mistress, awkwardly patted her shoulder in consolation. Their nameless, title–less relationship meant even a simple gesture like that was all they dared to do in front of my mother–in–law. Pathetic.
At that moment, my mother–in–law turned to me with expectant eyes and held my hand warmly.
“Didn’t you say you prepared a gift I definitely don‘ t have? Come on, let me see it!”
I pulled out the Heart of Asia Emerald Bead I’d carefully prepared for her and gently
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placed it in her hand.
Sure enough, her eyes widened in shock as she stared at the bead, disbelief written all over her face.
“How is this possible? There are only two in the world. One is owned by the famous. Monastery in Asia, its value already exceeding one billion. The other has been missing for years, rumored to be worth over five billion dollars. Could this really be it?”
“Yes, it is. I spent a year searching the globe, just to prepare this birthday gift for you!”
My mother–in–law couldn’t put it down, turning it over in her hands repeatedly before finally asking me to help her wear it around her neck. Her joy was palpable.
“Oh, Dana, you always know me best. I’ve been looking for this bead for years without success. You must have spent a fortune on it, didn’t you?”
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“Money is a small matter, as long as you like it. Mom. Of course, the most important thing is that this bead and you were destined for each other!”
My mother–in–law and I chatted happily, while off to the side, Rossa was green with envy. In a sour tone, she sneered.
“The only other bead in existence is the sacred treasure of Biggest Asian Monastery. How could you possibly get your hands on it? Who would believe such nonsense!”
That one comment ignited my fury. I turned to her, my voice icy.
“And if it’s real?”
“Humph! If it’s real, I’ll get down on my knees and bark like a dog!”
Without hesitation, I played a video on my phone. It showed me personally visiting one of the biggest Monastery in Asia, offering prayers and incense for my mother–in–law, being gifted the Heart of Asia Emerald Beat and donating five billion
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for the temple’s upkeep.
