Chapter 98 Counterattack
"You've got to be kidding me!"
Nicole was livid, her smile stiffening. "I bought this painting from Platinum Auction House. How could it be a fake?!"
She dragged the Clark Group into the mess.
Eric sneered, "Ms. Adams, you must not attend auctions often. Platinum Auction House is the biggest in the country. We rigorously screen everything. If you can't tell quality, that's on you. Don't tarnish our name."
Edward's eyes darkened. He remembered that charity auction where Lily tricked Nicole into buying this replica for ten times its value, all with a subtle smile.
'Did Lily know Nicole would give this painting to Byron? Was it a setup from the start?'
"Ms. Adams, a fake and a replica are different."
An appraisal expert from the Clark Group stepped up. "Some replicas are historical artifacts. High-quality replicas can still be valuable. But your painting's craftsmanship is lacking. That's why I spotted the issue right away."
"How could it be a replica?! I spent ten million dollars on this at Platinum Auction House!" Nicole blurted out, panicking.
'Ten million dollars! How could she have bought a fake? Was she stupid?'
Laughter erupted around her. Debra hid in the crowd, trying not to laugh out loud.
'That was a quick slap in the face!'
"Ten million dollars? This painting is worth only one million. Ms. Adams, you've made a significant contribution to charity."
Nicole's mind buzzed, nearly blacking out. Even Tiffany felt embarrassed and turned away, not wanting to defend Nicole.
"Alright, regardless of its value, it remains a token of Ms. Adams' sincerity."
Byron, though indifferent to Nicole, was still an elder and wouldn't fuss over a painting. He said, "Tyler, take the painting."
"Lily! What grudge do you have against me? Why are you doing this to me?!"
Nicole, mocked and humiliated since the party began, glared at Evelyn with red-rimmed eyes.
Everyone looked at Evelyn in shock.
Evelyn furrowed her brows, blinking innocently. "Ms. Adams, what are you talking about? I really don't know what you mean."
Landon and Eric were both shocked.
"You set me up! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have spent ten million dollars on this replica!"
Nicole pointed at Evelyn, her throat hoarse with anger. "I may not know much about appraisals, but you must have known there was something wrong with this painting! Yet you still raised the price, coaxing me into buying it! How could you do this?!"
Edward's lips turned pale as he coldly stared at Evelyn, his eyes icy.
"Coaxing? What are you talking about? When did I ever coax you?" Evelyn's eyes flickered, looking frightened.
Landon stepped forward to defend Evelyn, his smile hiding a sharp edge. "Ms. Adams, auctions are public events where everyone competes freely. If you didn't want to bid, could Lily have forced you to buy it? Isn't it all your own doing?"
"Lily saw that I wanted the painting and maliciously competed with me! Every time I raised my paddle, she followed, driving the price from one million to nine million!"
"When I bid ten million dollars, she suddenly stopped. Isn't that tricking me into buying a fake at a high price?!" Nicole fumed.
"Let's clarify, it's not a fake but a replica. There's a difference!" Eric interjected.
"If she really wanted the painting, why didn't she keep bidding? She just wanted to trick me!" Nicole fumed.
Everyone's expressions grew complicated.
"Could it be that Ms. Brown, upset over her split from Edward, devised a scheme to undermine Ms. Adams?"
"That seems unlikely. The divorce is done. What's the point of holding a grudge? It would just make her look petty."
"Why wouldn't it matter? That's Edward we're talking about, a golden boy! Losing someone like him would be hard to get over!"
"Externally composed, yet internally unsettled! Lily, despite her smarts, seems to leverage it primarily on men! Genuine esteem may forever elude her."
The surrounding gossip made Nicole feel immensely satisfied.
"Ms. Brown, did you really do this?" Patrick frowned, looking seriously at Evelyn.
Byron also looked at Evelyn, waiting for her response.
"Ms. Adams, you've really misunderstood me."
Evelyn stepped forward, her delicate face full of grievance, making her look even more pitiable. "I was the one who bid first on this painting. You followed my bid. I liked the painting to contribute to charity, so I raised the bid from the start, hoping to achieve both goals. Edward and Eric, who were present at the time, can vouch for me."
Everyone thought, 'There's a twist!'
"You!" Nicole was so angry she couldn't speak.
"I can vouch for that!" Eric immediately stepped forward. "Ms. Brown did bid first, and Ms. Adams followed. The painting was originally meant to be Ms. Brown's."
Edward's cold eyes flickered as he looked at Eric. 'Why are you everywhere?'
"My intention was to buy the painting for my collection because Byron has the original piece in his study. I liked it, so even though it's a replica, I wanted to have it. Seeing this painting reminds me of the days spent with Byron."
Evelyn bit her lip, lowering her lashes helplessly. "But Ms. Adams seemed to want the painting very much. I did compete with her for a few rounds, but ultimately, I decided to let her have it, following the principle of not taking what others want. I don't understand what I did wrong for Ms. Adams to accuse me like this. If you feel wronged, I can buy the painting from you to compensate for your loss."
The tide turned instantly!
Evelyn's eyes were clear, seemingly brimming with tears. Her acting was incredibly convincing!
Edward slightly tilted his head, locking his gaze on her clear eyes, feeling a chill in his breath. 'I'll just silently watch you continue your act.'
"You're lying."
Nicole's face turned red with anger, just about to explode when Tiffany quickly walked over and pinched her secretly. Nicole winced in pain, momentarily distracted!
"It's all a misunderstanding. Dad, Nicole usually stays at home, rarely attending such events. She just follows what others buy."
Tiffany gave Nicole a meaningful look. "Karen just called you. You should call her back so she doesn't worry. Go on."
Nicole gritted her teeth, retreating in disgrace.
Byron frowned for a moment, then took Evelyn's hand. "Lily, if you wanted it, I won't deny you. As long as you like it, I won't hesitate to give it to you!"
"Thank you. Your love is enough for me. I don't need anything else." Evelyn squeezed Byron's hand with a sweet smile.
Everyone finally understood. 'Edward had indeed divorced Lily, but not completely! Nicole definitely had no chance!'
