Chapter 50

“Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne on your golden wedding anniversary. This painting was something I happened to acquire overseas. It symbolizes a perfect marriage. After much thought, I believe it suits you two the best,” Luke said.

Jessica cocked her brows slightly – it was indeed valuable.

Such a painting wasn’t just rare in foreign auction houses; even in the country, it would be worth hundreds of millions.

To give it away so easily for a business cooperation showed that the Hall Group was determined to win this deal.

Mr. Wayne was also shocked.

Ordinary people might prepare gifts that cost tens or hundreds of thousands, but who would give away a painting worth over a billion?

That item could be considered a national treasure. He didn’t dare accept it.

After refusing several times unsuccessfully, in front of everyone, Luke’s secretary lifted the red silk cover from the painting.

“It really is a top-quality painting,” Chris nodded.

“You know about paintings?” Jessica asked.

Chris said, “Back in college, my roommate was pursuing a girl and dragged the entire dorm to sign up for an art course. He didn’t win her over, but I thought, since we signed up, I might as well attend.”

What he didn’t say was that his teacher praised him for having a good understanding in this area.

So although the painting looked beautiful, valuable, and magnificent, a careful look would reveal the details were too perfect beyond what could have been produced at that time.

Therefore, the painting was a fake.

“The painting’s good, but it’s not the original,” explained Chris.

Jessica looked at Chris with more admiration and anticipation.

He had many talents that were fun to discover one by one.

“Oh, I see,” Jessica smiled and turned back. “Luke spent a lot of money on a fake and used it as a gift for Crimson Engineering. That’s quite bold.”

Chris didn’t understand much about business, but he knew Jessica was in a great mood.

Learning it was a fake seemed to make her even happier.

Afterward, no matter how valuable the gifts everyone else presented were, none could compare to the painting. Nowadays, very few people displayed such expensive paintings at home; such an item was meant for collecting.

When it was the Wilder Group’s turn, Jessica held Chris’s hand and walked over.

Shannon carried a gift box and handed it to Jessica before stepping back.

“Mr. Wayne, this is some nourishing medicine my parents brought back from the south. It’s not as precious as the others’ gifts, but I heard Mrs. Wayne was sick recently, so this should be helpful.”

Jessica’s gift was not valuable but practical.

After seeing so many gems and watches earlier, Mr. Wayne was truly pleased this time.

He hurried to store it away and kept praising Jessica repeatedly.

Then he glanced at Chris and said, “Chris, the last time I saw you was two years ago. You don’t often come out with Jessica.”

Chris responded with a few polite words.

“Mr. Wayne, there’s something you don’t know. Mr. Green and Ms. Wilder are undergoing a divorce. It’s all because of that cousin of mine.”

A voice came from behind, not loud but enough for nearby people to hear.

At a golden wedding anniversary, all the attendees were proper couples.

Even if there were some rumors, they wouldn’t bring them here.

Now someone exposed that Chris and Jessica’s affection was fake and dragged Michael down with them.

It was easy to guess who it was.

Jessica and Chris turned their heads simultaneously, seeing Luke smiling but with malice barely concealed in his eyes.

“Is his personality the same as Michael’s from back then?” Chris lowered his voice and asked Jessica.