Chapter 35 Solving Problems
"Gift?"
Iva snorted, "What gift? Just blowing my son's money to impress us? You're just dodging the divorce talk with Ethan."
Iva's sarcasm cut deep.
Michael chimed in, "Iva, don't be like that. It's her gesture, after all."
Even though Ethan was now the head of the Yates family, Michael still held sway. When he spoke, no one dared to argue.
Iva shot Ashley a resentful look. No matter how she looked at her, she found her annoying.
James also saw Ashley as a gold-digger.
Ethan said, "Doesn't matter whose money Ashley used for the gift. It's a goodwill gesture. Why not open it and see?"
"Fine, we'll look. But it won't change the fact that you two are getting divorced!"
A servant came to open the gift box.
When Michael saw the ancient painting, he was visibly moved. "Is this Leon Collins' Maple Tree painting?"
Ashley said, "Ethan mentioned you like ancient paintings, so I got this Maple Tree painting from a friend. Hope you like it."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. When had he ever said that?
Smart move, she did her homework before coming to the family gathering.
Michael called for a servant to bring his tools for authenticating the painting. He carefully examined it.
Iva sneered, "How much did you spend on it?"
Ashley casually mentioned, "One million dollars."
"What? One million dollars? Are you out of your mind? Do you think my son's money grows on trees? Buying such a fake to fool us! Ethan, you can't give her any more money!"
Iva ranted at Ashley like a madwoman, even demanding that Ethan stop giving her money. Ashley hadn't spent a penny of Ethan's money, and she felt very uncomfortable being scolded!
Ethan said, "It's only right for my woman to spend my money. Has she spent a single cent of yours? What right do you have to complain?"
Ashley couldn't help but give him a thumbs-up. When it came to retorts, he never lost!
"Ethan, I don't care. She's foolish and she spends money recklessly. Even if we had a mountain of gold, she'd squander it all!"
"Yeah, she's not worthy of you..."
The entire hall was filled with their bickering.
Ethan's face turned cold, and he growled, "Enough! You have no right to interfere. Say one more word, and you're out!"
Iva and James were angry, but they didn't dare to act out further.
Michael was still examining the painting intently. Iva sneered, "Dad, don't waste your time. It's obviously a fake. How could she afford a real one?"
James chimed in, "Exactly. Leon's Maple Tree painting is worth over three million dollars. A one-million-dollar painting has to be a fake. Let's focus on Ethan and this woman's divorce instead..."
Michael didn't respond, but just then, someone walked in from outside.
"Why's it so lively in here?"
Everyone turned to look.
The newcomer was an elderly man in his eighties, Michael's friend Thomas.
James and Iva respectfully greeted him, "Mr. Martin, hello."
Ethan stood up. "Thomas, it's been a while since you visited."
Thomas said, "I was just passing by and thought I'd drop in. Am I intruding?"
Thomas's gaze fell on Ashley, who gave him a polite smile. He nodded back courteously.
"Not at all. Please, have a seat over here."
Ethan invited him to sit on the sofa. Thomas saw Michael bent over examining something and curiously walked over.
"Michael, what are you looking at?"
"Thomas, come take a look at this."
"Wow, isn't this Leon's Maple Tree painting?"
Both were enthusiasts of ancient paintings and immediately huddled together to study it.
"Mr. Martin, this foolish woman spent a million dollars on a fake. Don't waste your time! Let's sit down and have some tea!"
Ethan said unhappily, "Thomas, this painting is a gift from Ashley to my grandfather. Whether it's real or fake, it's the thought that counts. Please don't mind."
Thomas clicked his tongue. "Michael, your grandson is quite something. Responsible and protective, always looking out for his wife, afraid she'll be wronged."
Thomas looked at Ashley again, noting her excellent demeanor and polite manners. His first impression of her was very good, but he felt like he had seen her somewhere before...
Ethan didn't expect Thomas to tease him, and his face turned red. He awkwardly looked away.
Ashley was suprised that he could feel embarrassed, and at the same time, she felt a sweet warmth in her heart.
Thomas was right. Even though they were in a contractual marriage and had argued before coming, Ethan always stood up for her when others bullied her.
This made Ashley's heart flutter...
"By the way, Michael, it seemd that your skills have declined. You've been studying it for so long and still haven't figured it out?"
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