Filed To Story: Watch Out! She's a Mastermind Heiress (Isabella Patton) Book PDF Free
Damari’s voice carried a hint of uncertainty as he spoke. If this painting truly was one of Curtis’s works, then its value could easily reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars. Isabella simply smiled, choosing not to respond right away, leaving the room in suspense.
Hearing Damari’s analysis, Courtney secretly sneered. She didn’t hesitate to break Isabella’s pretense, saying, “Oh Isabella, your eye for art is impressive. Obtaining such a beautiful painting from a street stall must’ve been a real bargain.”
“A street stall?” Bruno was taken aback. “You bought this painting from a stall?” His shock wasn’t due to the fact that such a beautiful painting was bought from a street stall, but that someone would actually choose a gift for Damari from a street stall. She must be out of her mind.
Rowan and the others hadn’t anticipated this. They all stared at Isabella in disbelief. Glenn frowned and was about to step in and explain on behalf of his daughter, but Isabella calmly said, “That’s right. I bought it at a stall.”
Glenn was stunned, his thoughts racing. “Isabella, my dear daughter, what was she thinking?” Bruno and his wife immediately displayed their disapproval. They were well aware that Isabella had only recently been found. Predictably, she hadn’t grown up in wealth and lacked proper education and manners. Since she would stoop to buying a gift from a stall, she wasn’t on the same level as Courtney.
However, Bruno and his wife saw this as good news. A woman like Isabella wouldn’t pose much of a threat once she married Andrew. “Isabella, you certainly are unique,” Bruno remarked with a hint of irony.
Courtney’s voice chimed with a mocking sweetness. “Of course. Isabella is truly clever. It’s not every day that ordinary people can find such a beautiful painting at a stall.”
“A painting is either genuine or fake. Where it’s purchased doesn’t change that,” Isabella replied evenly. “You could buy a painting from a store, but that doesn’t guarantee it’s authentic. And just because a painting comes from a stall, it doesn’t mean it’s fake. The key is the buyer’s knowledge. Without careful consideration, someone could end up spending a fortune on a forgery.”
Courtney easily picked up on Isabella’s mockery. She found Isabella utterly absurd. “Are you seriously suggesting that my eight-million-dollar painting is a fake while the one you got for a few bucks is genuine?”
“Exactly,” Isabella replied with confidence.
“Haha.” Sarai couldn’t stifle her laughter. Once she stopped laughing, she quickly explained, “It’s fine to say such things at home, Isabella, but you shouldn’t tell others that.” She then turned to Damari, adding, “Mr. Klein, Isabella has just recently come back home. She’s not well-versed in recognizing good art, so please don’t take her words too seriously.”
Sarai feigned kindness, but her real intent was to make everyone see Isabella as naive and ignorant. Elaine was visibly displeased, but Isabella gently took her hand and shook her head. Then she turned to Sarai and said, “Sarai, I understand that you’re the only one here who isn’t familiar with paintings, and I don’t hold that against you. But whether this painting is real or fake isn’t something you can determine with just a few words.”
“So, you’re convinced that the painting you got from a stall is real?” Sarai found this notion laughable.
“Yes,” Isabella’s tone was unwavering.
Bruno and his wife were left speechless. “Well, Dad, since Isabella is so sure, why don’t we call in Stan? He’s an expert in these matters. He’ll definitely know if it’s real or not,” Bruno suggested right away.
Isabella glanced at him, and suddenly it made sense to her why Corbett enjoyed interfering with others’ matters so much—it clearly ran in the family. Damari’s tone turned cold. “Whether it’s authentic or not, the intention behind it is what matters.” He then looked at Isabella and added, “I really like your gift, Isabella.”
Isabella felt touched. She hadn’t expected that Damari would stand up for her this way…
However, Bruno was upset. Did Damari say that because Isabella was Andrew’s fianc?e?
“Dad, I believe Isabella is telling the truth. We need to prove her claim to clear her name,” Bruno pressed on. “If we don’t have Stan verify it, the others might be left assuming Isabella bought a fake. Isn’t that right, Sarai?”
Suddenly brought into the conversation, Sarai nodded in agreement and said, “Yes, that’s true.” She gave a slight smile, realizing that it wasn’t just her and Courtney who disliked Isabella and her parents—Bruno wasn’t pleased with them either.
Damari’s expression darkened with displeasure. Having gone through so much in life, he had developed the ability to read people with just a glance. How vicious these people were to hold such intense malice toward a young woman!
Just as Damari was about to reprimand them, Isabella interjected, “Since they want to have the painting verified so badly, let’s do it. What do you think, Mr. Klein?”
Isabella looked at Damari with confidence and seriousness. He blinked, considering her words, and then gave a nod of approval. Since Isabella agreed, he decided not to object.
“Alright, go ahead and summon Stan,” Klein instructed a servant.
The servant went to complete the task. Courtney’s heart swelled with a mix of anticipation and glee. She cast a glance at Isabella, eyeing her as if she were a dead woman. The moment Stan arrived, it would spell the end for Isabella.
In the meantime, Damari was absorbed in conversation with Glenn, blatantly disregarding Bruno and the rest of the gathering. Bruno was acutely aware of his father’s disapproval. However, his actions were aimed squarely at unveiling Isabella’s true colors. Once the painting was revealed as a forgery, he trusted his father would see the wisdom in his actions.
Half an hour later, Stan made his entrance. “Ah, Stan, you’re here.” Damari greeted him with a warmth that seemed to light up the room. “Please, examine these two paintings and see if they are authentic.”
“Alright, let me have a look,” Stan responded, his voice steady as he took both artworks, scrutinizing them with an expert’s eye. A hush descended over the room, the tension palpable as all eyes were fixed on Stan.
Courtney’s palms began to sweat, a subconscious reaction despite her confidence in her own painting’s authenticity. After all, her extensive studies in art had honed her ability to discern the genuine from the counterfeit. Time seemed to crawl by, and after what felt like an eternity but was only ten minutes, someone entered the living room.
Courtney, ever eager to witness the unraveling drama, found her gaze inadvertently drawn to a tall, striking man whose presence seemed to eclipse the room’s grandeur. His features were as captivating as those of a movie star. Though she had met Andrew before, Courtney’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. His extraordinary and breathtaking appearance left her infatuated.
Oblivious to her admiration, Andrew breezed past her and took a seat next to Isabella. As he noticed Stan engrossed in the paintings, he leaned in to inquire discreetly what was happening. Courtney was unable to stand the sight of Andrew so close to her rival, her jealousy flaring. With clenched teeth, she interjected, “Isabella acquired that painting from a street stall and presented it to your grandfather, claiming it to be authentic. Consequently, your grandfather summoned an expert to verify its authenticity.”
Andrew’s dark eyes swept over her coldly. “I wasn’t asking you.” His voice, as sharp as a knife, cut deep into Courtney’s heart, her face instantly paling at the rebuff. She watched, a knot forming in her chest, as Andrew looked into Isabella’s eyes, his demeanor so tender it deepened her ache. What did Isabella possess that she lacked?
Courtney, celebrated among men for her artistic flair, was coveted as a wife by many affluent young men. Yet, Andrew reserved for her a chill like no other. Tears of frustration brimmed in Courtney’s eyes, her emotions a tumult of envy and sorrow.
Isabella, oblivious to Courtney’s turmoil, said, her voice calm, “It’s pretty much as she said.” Andrew nodded, his handsome features etched with no worry at all. It was because he trusted Isabella.
Another half-hour trickled by before Stan set down Courtney’s painting, his expression pensive. The room, thick with anticipation, watched as Damari prompted, “Stan, have you figured it out?”
“Yes, I have,” Stan announced, his voice carrying a weight of discovery. “This painting is quite peculiar.” He held up Isabella’s landscape painting, continuing, “It bears all the hallmarks of Curtis’s style, yet Curtis’s works are seldom found in such pristine condition. This piece’s preservation is unusually impeccable.”
Courtney couldn’t help but laugh, a mix of relief and mischief in her voice. “It seems Isabella has bought a remarkably convincing forgery.” As she spoke, her eyes flicked toward Andrew. Surely, even if Andrew was captivated by Isabella’s beauty, he wouldn’t want to risk the embarrassment of appearing foolish before his grandfather. Already, Isabella had marred her own reputation by presenting this painting to his grandfather. Would Andrew not be concerned that his grandfather might doubt his judgment?
Bruno, having anticipated the outcome, remarked with a hint of amusement, “Indeed, it takes some skill to unearth such a finely crafted imitation at a street stall.” Dora, standing nearby, chuckled. Their scornful gazes turned disdainfully towards Isabella.
“Hold on a moment,” Stan interjected, his voice cutting through the rising tide of murmurs. “I didn’t declare it a fake.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, didn’t you just say it? You mentioned that Curtis’s works couldn’t possibly be this well-preserved.” Bruno frowned.
Stan nodded, affirming his earlier statement yet correcting their misunderstanding. “Yes, I remarked on the unusual preservation, but I never labeled this one as a forgery!”
The crowd was visibly confused. What was he saying? Sensing their bewilderment, Stan elucidated, “This piece is authentic! My only puzzle is how it has remained in such immaculate condition.” Everyone was stunned. It was authentic! Had Isabella truly stumbled upon a painting, a treasure potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars?
Everyone was stunned. “I noticed this painting was in bad shape, so I arranged for its restoration,” Isabella explained. Stan’s face lit up. “The restoration is outstanding! The person who did this must be incredibly skilled. Could you introduce that person to me?”
There was admiration in his eyes as he eagerly anticipated meeting the talented restorer. Noticing his enthusiasm, Isabella hesitated. “I’ll ask her, though she’s very private and prefers to keep a low profile.” Stan appeared slightly disheartened but understood. “That’s understandable. The most gifted often like to remain behind the scenes. I’m just thankful to witness such a splendid restoration today!”
“By the way, did you mention finding this painting at a street stall?” he added. “Yes,” Isabella confirmed. Stan’s enthusiasm returned. “Remarkable! Damari, can you believe this young woman stumbled upon a Curtis original just like that? She really has an eye for art! Which market was the stall in? I must check it out.” Isabella gave him the details, and Stan noted them eagerly.
Damari smiled warmly at Isabella. “It’s rare for someone so young to possess such a discerning eye. Most wouldn’t recognize a Curtis original tucked away in a simple market.”
“We need to look carefully at every old item, or we might risk missing something invaluable,” Isabella said gently. Damari’s smile deepened. “You’re absolutely right! And since this is your first visit to my home, I’d like to offer you a gift, too.” He signaled a servant, who brought forward a crystal-clear bracelet. Damari carefully placed it on Isabella’s wrist. “This was Andrew’s grandmother’s. It’s intended for his future wife. Please, consider it yours.”
Bruno and his wife looked on, astonished. This was no ordinary gift. It was a symbol meant for the wife of the family’s future leader. Was Damari implying Andrew would be the future leader? Bruno interjected, “Dad, it’s Isabella’s first time here. Isn’t this a bit too much?” Damari gave him a firm look. “What of it? I like her!” He then said to Isabella, “If my wife were still with us, she would have presented this to you herself!” Damari’s affection for Isabella was clear.
Courtney’s face flushed with jealousy. That bracelet was incredibly valuable. Did Isabella truly deserve such a gift? Even if the painting was authentic, it seemed mere chance had favored her! Sarai, feeling jealous herself, hid it behind a smile. “Isabella, you certainly have a discerning eye. Who would have guessed a small investment could win over Mr. Damari Klein so easily? My daughter Courtney is too sincere for such tricks. She prefers to spend more to ensure the gift for Mr. Klein is real,” she said, suggesting Isabella was manipulative.
Courtney lowered her head, feigning humility. “Although I’ve studied fine arts for long, I’m still afraid of making mistakes. With so few authentic items available, I didn’t want to risk a mistake. I hope my gift pleases you, Mr. Klein.” Isabella was taken aback by the shamelessness of these two. Then, Stan frowned and remarked, “You do realize it’s a counterfeit, right?”
His statement stunned everyone. Courtney’s gift was a fake? She had spent eight million dollars on a fake? “It’s a fake?” Courtney gasped, turning pale. Stan nodded. “Yes, it is obviously a forgery of Atley’s work.” He looked at Damari. “You figured it out too, didn’t you?” Damari slowly nodded.
Courtney’s expression darkened. “But… that can’t be right…” She had meticulously researched Atley’s works. It couldn’t be a counterfeit! Stan pointed out specific details on the painting. “Atley’s brushwork is distinct and robust. This copy was well done, but the details don’t match. The painting is old, but it’s not an Atley. It was probably painted by a less prominent artist a century ago. It’s worth maybe a few hundred thousand, certainly not eight million.”
Courtney examined the painting more closely. Slowly, she began to recognize the discrepancies Stan had noted. A cold fear gripped her. How could this happen? How did she end up purchasing a fake for eight million dollars? She couldn’t bring herself to meet anyone’s eyes now, feeling they must view her as a complete fool.
Andrew’s lips curled into a sneer, his silence more cutting than any words. Courtney felt the sting as if he had struck her across the face, a wave of humiliation washing over her. Breaking the tension, Damari, calm and composed, said, “Alright, that’s enough. It’s time for lunch.” He then turned to Isabella, his tone softening. “Isabella, keep the bracelet. I really like you. You should visit me more often when you can.”
Isabella hesitated, her gaze flickering between the bracelet and Andrew. Sensing her uncertainty, Andrew nodded, his voice reassuring. “If Grandpa wants you to have it, then take it.” Only then did she offer a small nod, accepting the gift.
They moved to the dining room, where Damari and Glenn engaged in light conversation, their voices carrying a casual ease. Andrew, meanwhile, was attentively serving Isabella, their interaction radiating a sense of calm and comfort. Across the table, however, Rowan and his family were on edge, their faces clouded with a deepening gloom.
This visit to Damari had been filled with high hopes, but it had taken a disastrous turn. The expensive painting they had brought as a gift had been revealed as a fake— a fact Damari had clearly noticed but, in his graciousness, chose not to mention. Yet, they had compounded their mistake by questioning Isabella’s gift, an act that now seemed like digging their own grave. Damari had since ignored them, and they dared not break the silence.
Courtney stared blankly at the sumptuous meal before her, finding it all tasteless. Bruno, too, was simmering with frustration. He had expected to see Isabella humiliated, only to realize that she was far more capable than he had anticipated. As he watched her, a realization dawned on him—Isabella was a threat that needed to be eliminated.
There was no way he could allow her to become Andrew’s ally and support. Glenn intended to leave right after lunch, mindful that Damari was getting older and it wouldn’t be proper to overstay their welcome. After the meal, he quietly discussed their departure with Rowan. Rowan mulled it over briefly before nodding in agreement, but just as they were about to proceed, Sarai’s voice cut through the air. “It’s rare for us to come here; let’s stay a bit longer. It’s been years since we were all together, and Mr. Damari Klein could use the company a little longer.”
It was clear she had no intention of leaving anytime soon. Glenn’s brow furrowed slightly, but after observing the pleasant exchange between Damari and Isabella, he chose not to push the issue further. Courtney, still stinging from the earlier humiliation, sat quietly on the sofa, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface.
Sarai noticed her distress and moved closer, her voice soft and reassuring. “Don’t let this get to you, sweetheart,” she murmured. “This situation has revealed that Isabella is far more calculating than she appears. She’s been several steps ahead from the start. Competing with her won’t be easy, but that’s not where your focus should be. The important thing now is to strengthen your bond with Andrew.”
Courtney cast a worried glance at Andrew, her voice tinged with uncertainty. “But he’s been with Isabella the entire time.” Sarai responded with a gentle smile, brushing a stray strand of hair from Courtney’s face. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. We have the whole afternoon. The right moment will come. You’re beautiful, talented, and kind—any man would be drawn to you. You just need to show Andrew what makes you truly special.”
Courtney hesitated for a moment, then nodded slowly, determination beginning to replace her doubt. Sarai turned her attention to Andrew and suggested casually, “Andrew, since it’s Isabella and Courtney’s first visit to the Klein family’s manor, why don’t you show them around? It’d be nice for you all to spend some time together.”
Andrew looked to Isabella for her reaction. When she gave a small nod, he agreed, “Alright, come on then.” Isabella, intrigued by the estate she had yet to explore, followed alongside him.
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