NovelEnglishFrank turned, then walked up to the painting and immediately spotted several flaws with a single glance.
"Heh. So, have you thought about your tricks this time, Frank?" Hugh sneered in contempt, hostile as he had been from the start for sreason.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtFrank completely ignored him and nodded confidently as he pointed at the signature at the corner.
"Take a look at the signature," he said. "Even if made to look like it's old, it clearly does not match the age of the canvas. In fact, the painting was signed much later-which begs the question, what painting would be signed hundreds of years after its completion and long after the artist is dead? " "What?!" Everyone was immediately restless, especially Travis.
He whipped out a magnifying glass and dropped to his knees as he scrutinized the painting.
Then, as he was looking closely, Frank pointed at the brush strokes and added quietly, "I've seen my shares of oil paintings to identify each style. People of Rivaldi's era-let alone Rivaldi himself—are not known to use the impasto in their time. Only the artists of northwest Draconia would." As he finished, Frank turned toward Travis and chuckled. "With that in mind, may I ask where the previous owner of this painting cfrom...?" "Gitra. It's in the northwest... Oh." Travis' eyes widened, and his magnifying glass slipped off his fingers, dropping on the floor with a thud.
As soon as realization caught him, so did the authenticity of the painting.
"Now, to avoid confusion, letmake it simple for you!" Frank pointed at the painting. "The canvas is real, but the painting isn't—the signature especially can be identified at first glance." Snorting and shaking his head, Frank then returned to his seat, picking up his cup of tea and taking a sip.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe room was silent for a long while, until Hugh leapt to his feet. "No... That's impossible!" et He strode over, picking up the magnifying glass Travis dropped and scrutinized every inch, untithe finally noticed the inconsistency on the signature that Frank pointed out. It really proved that the stamp was relatively recent.
"H-How is that possible?!" Hugh turned toward Frank in astonishment-it was such a small flaw! Not even the best appraiser in Draconia would be able to tell, let alone them! And yet, Frank did so immediately...
What did he even do for a living?! "Urgh..." Travis breathed a deep sigh just then-to think that the painting he treasured so much was a fake! He almost choked and fainted right then but ultimately caught himself.
Gritting his teeth, he barked at the stewardess still standing beside the painting, "Go buysmatches! I'm burning this fake!" "No!" The guests were anxious right then, with the elderly Mr. Richton actually leaping to his feet. "Please, Mr. Dali. It may be fake, but it would still fetch a couple hundred grand! You'd have nothing if you burned it!" S "Exactly! You should reconsider!" "Well..." Travis was hesitant and slid an uncomfortable glance at Frank.
et Frank simply smiled and shook his head. "See? I said you're selling reputation and not treasures. You refused to admit it, even spouting pretty promises... and now, when proven wrong, you refuse to stay true to your word."
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