Various expressions alternated over Travis'' face, and he bellowed at the stewardesses again, "Go, buy me a box of matches!"
"Yes, Mr. Dali..." The stewardesses flinched and hurried away.
Hugh was ring furiously at Frank. "Frank, haven''t you heard the saying ''live and let live''?"
"Live and let live, really?"
Frank chuckled in turn. "Did you listen to me when I tried to dissuade you from having me appraise that painting? You presumed I was trying to bail, even demanding that I kowtow to everyone." Hugh was stumped. He could only snort and clench his jaw.
Soon, the stewardesses returned with matches.
Travis'' hands were shaking, but he ultimately burned the painting as everyone watched.
Even as the canvas was reduced to ashes, Travis'' cheek clenched in heartache.
But there was no helping it-he had made a promise, and he must see it through.
Such was the unspoken irond rule when it came to antique appraisal.
"Alright, it''s just a fake painting. I''ll be leaving now."
Seeing that everyone else was scowling, Frank tactfully turned to leave, positive that there were no treasures here.
However, Travis stopped Frank. "Sir, you''d be mistaken if you believe that I''m that petty."
Travis understood that Frank was leaving because his presence would be an insult to him, and hence, he said firmly, "I have collected and appraised antiques and other rarities all my life. They can''t all be fake -even if there''s one in my collection that proves to be fake, I will readily admit it."
"As such, I invite you to look through them as a favor for me! If there are more fakes, I will destroy them like that painting!"
"That''s no good, is it?" Frank smiled hesitantly.
"What''s not good about that?!"
Travis sighed. "Don''t worry, I won''t insult you. In fact, I will pay you a fee for every time you appraise. If it''s a fake, then you will be paid ten percent of what that item was
worth. How about that?"
"What?!"
The guests were all stunned by Travis'' offer the man was really staking his coffers!
Ten percent of what that a
counterfeit item was worth... It was not just confidence in his coffers, but it was also confidence in the authenticity of his collection.
Frank thought about it and decided to agree to it.N?velDrama.Org: owner of this content.
Seeing how confident Travis was, the man just might really have something impressive.
And he would be paid for it as well... who knew if he could get what he needed without spending a dime, which was not necessarily bad for him. "Alright. I''ll stay," Frank said and returned to his seat.
Around him, the other guests and Hugh were suddenly afraid to look at Frank.
Despite his youth, he had a sharp eye for appraising.
The other guests certainly did not
believe that he was some sugar baby of the Turnbulls now. Even as they quietly wondered where Frank
came from, they were doubting what Hugh said about Frank.
After all, would a manwhore really be so skilled?
"Hmph. I guess he has a couple of tricks up his sleeve, or Sif Lionheart wouldn''t have fallen to him."
Even as Hugh thought he was in a pickle, he knew that he needed to be careful against Frank.
Meanwhile, Travis presented the next item to be auctioned.
It was a vivid wooden sculpture, and Frank did not show interest after just one nce, although he did not find any inconsistencies.