Chapter 200

Jessica stepped forward and seized the scroll. “I will open it. Carissa, if you dare to curse my mother, I will make sure you can’t rest in peace even after you die!”

As the scroll slowly unfurled, everyone craned their necks to see what was revealed. To their surprise, the scroll depicted a painting of an orchid. The half-length scroll showcased an orchid with blossoms either in full bloom or just about to open. Many flower buds stood quietly on the branch.

The crowd was stunned. The orchid painting seemed almost alive, as if the flower were right before their eyes. Every little detail, including the texture of the petals, was meticulously depicted.

Among the knowledgeable ladies present, one gasped. “Is this Mr. Spencer’s painting? I have had the honor of seeing his paintings before, and the technique is identical. Yes, this is indeed Mr. Spencer’s work.”

This announcement caused a stir among the guests. Kyle Spencer’s painting? That was something highly coveted, nearly impossible to obtain. Despite Carissa’s disrespectful words, her gift was remarkably precious.

Eleanor, who prided herself on her knowledge of the arts, had seen Kyle’s paintings but could not recognize them herself. Still, she felt as if the orchid were right in front of her. It was so vivid that she could almost reach out and touch a petal.

Hearing that it was a painting by Kyle, Rebecca felt her heart shatter.

+15 BONUS

Carissa was truly wealthy—this painting must cost at least a thousand gold coins. Rebecca deeply regretted her decision. In her pursuit of bringing someone like Aurora into the Warrah family, she had effectively driven away her golden opportunity. If this painting had been hers, it would have ensured that the Warrens wouldn’t need to worry about money for at least the next two or three years.

“That’s not Mr. Spencer’s painting,” said Adelaide, Dakota’s daughter-in-law. She stood up and shook her head. “The craftsmanship is very similar, but this is a fake.”

Adelaide Quinton was the queen’s cousin, Kylie’s cousin, and a legitimate daughter of the Quinton family’s second branch. At fifteen, she stunned everyone at the Spring Festival with a painting and a poem created in less than half an hour. Dakota hosted that year’s Spring Festival. Shortly after, Adelaide was betrothed to Dakota’s son, Kendrick.

Renowned for her literary and artistic talents, Adelaide’s claim that the painting was a fake was taken seriously by most attendees. The crowd began to murmur.

“Lady Sinclair brought a fake painting as a gift? To think she would do such a thing!” “It’s better to send nothing than to present a fake.” “But this painting is so exquisite! It doesn’t look like a fake.” “A fake is a fake. Can Lady Adelaide’s judgment be wrong? She is known for her poetry and painting.”

Jessica was fuming. “A fake? Carissa, you dared to present a fake to my mother?” She had suspected Carissa wouldn’t have spent a fortune on Kyle’s painting. Besides, Kyle’s works were not easily acquired. “You truly are despicable! If you can’t afford a proper gift, don’t give one at all!”

“No, it’s not a fake.”

The noble lady who had initially declared the painting to be by Kyle stepped forward. She was Rosalind Young, the granddaughter of the royal chancellor, Trevor Young.

Adelaide smiled faintly at Rosalind. “Lady Young, I have an orchid painting by Mr. Spencer in my residence, so I can distinguish between genuine and fake. This imitation is indeed remarkable, but it’s still a fake. Look at the seal: Mr. Spencer uses a small, unique monogram to mark his works. However, this one has a larger monogram. They are not the same.”

Everyone looked at the monogram on the painting, which was indeed larger. However, few present had seen Kyle’s work in person and didn’t know what seal he used. Since Adelaide had a collection of Kyle’s work and was saying so with authority, most believed her.

Rebecca’s heart was somewhat eased. It was a fake after all!

Helen couldn’t bear to watch. Carissa was going to be thoroughly condemned now.

Jessica, enraged, tore the painting in half and threw it on the ground. “Carissa, what is the meaning of this? How dare you present a fake at my mother’s birthday banquet?”

“No!” Rosalind lamented, rushing to pick up the torn painting. “This is not a fake! It’s genuine! What a shame!”