Chapter 15
Yanina stayed calm. “Alright, let me enlighten you. These knock–offs go for ten bucks at the night market. I wouldn’t take
them for free.”
She glanced at Steven. “As Sherman’s disciple, you should know he hates Peonies. He never liked its color and would never paint peonies.”
Steven paused, a bit surprised by Yanina’s words. He remembered Sherman saying that, but Yanina had never met the man. He wondered how could she knew about this.
“Sherman might have said he wasn’t fond of peonies, but how does that relate to his art? Painting is about expressing oneself freely. Maybe Sherman suddenly found an interest in peonies.”
Christina, hearing Steven, chimed in eagerly, “Exactly! Maybe Sherman was strolling through a peony garden one day, got inspired by the sight, and just couldn’t help but paint, creating this Peony Painting?”
Yanina smiled without disagreeing. She reached out and touched the paper again. “Forget the theme for a moment; just from the material, this painting hasn’t been around for over ten years. The surface of this paper is really coarse, which means someone tried to make it look old on purpose. If I cut it open now, I’m pretty sure the core would show it’s just one or two years old”
Quinci, picking up on Yanina’s observation, couldn’t help but touch the paper herself. As soon as her fingers brushed it, she frowned. Her husband’s family owns a company that makes paper, and she had personally inspected their operations, so she knew the process well.
As soon as Quinci touched the paper, she knew it was a recent make–no more than two years old. Steven had claimed it was a treasure from his grandfather’s collection, kept safe for over a decade. Clearly, he was lying.
Yanina, looking at Steven, continued, “You should know, if you’re working with Sherman, he never uses store–bought paper, no matter how fine. He only uses the paper he makes himself.”
Steven’s face flushed with embarrassment, but admitting the painting was fake was out of the question. If he did, he would lose his shot with Christina….
With determination, Steven said, “This painting was a gift from Sherman to my grandfather when they met years ago. He probably used store–bought paper because he didn’t have his own on him. This piece is undoubtedly Sherman’s”
Yanina had dealt with stubborn people before, but none as hard–headed as Steven. “From the first brush stroke to the line. and shading, this painting perfectly mirrors Sherman’s style. Yet the forgery is obvious. Check this out; Sherman’s signature always ends with a flat stroke. And look at this bird’s beak–it’s handled just like in Sherman’s other pieces…”
Christina couldn’t hold back. “That’s because this painting is real Steven already told us its origin. How can it be fake? Look at the private seal, all the forgeries have a chipped corner, but Sherman’s seal is intact! This was painted by Sherman burself.
Yanina nodded, “You’re right, Sherman’s seal is perfect. What you don’t know is that although the sont is authentic, the painting isn’t by Sherman! Before anyone could argue, Yanina casually added, “Because I’m the one who painted it.”
Everyone at the Zamora residence was stunned. After a few seconds, Christina snapped back to reality. “Are you serious? Have you ever even studied painting? Stop boasting like that!”
-Sherry sneered too. She had known Yanina for a while and had never seen her pick up a brush. Even if the painting was a fake, whoever mimicked Sherman’s work so precisely had to be truly talented. She thought, Who does Yanina think she is to “make such bold claims?
“Yani, stop already. If this gets out, the whole Zamora family will be a laughingstock Quinci pulled Yanina aside.
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Chapter 15
Yanina’s face remained calm as she replied, “Last fall. I went to the South with some friends and met Sherman by chance. I tried to imitate his brushwork in this painting, hoping to get some feedback from him.”
Carl let out a hearty chuckle. Yani, you really lucked out meeting Sherman!” He was the only one in the room buying Yanina’s story, and knowing she painted the piece made him appreciate it even more.
Yanina managed a smile. “Sherman was volunteering in the village, teaching kids to draw. He saw my attempt and wasn’t impressed, said I was stuck and questioned my choice of peonie, even calling it gaudy. But a kid got hold of Sherman’s seal and stamped it on my painting. I ended up giving the painting to that kid,”
She pointed to the stamp. “Notice, Sherman’s seal is always on the right side of his work. This one’s on the left.”
Everyone leaned in to see, and indeed, the seal was out of place. In the heat of the debate, they’d missed it.
“Steven, is this a real painting or not?” Quinci demanded, her annoyance clear as she stared him down.
Steven’s eyes met Yanina’s, red–rimmed and intense. He was in too deep; there was no turning back now. He had to stand by his story to win Christina’s hand.
Taking a deep breath, he addressed the room. “Seems like Yanina knows a lot about Sherman. If you’re so sure this is a fake, I can call him right now and ask.”
His confidence gave Christina a boost. “I’ve told you, Steven’s one of Sherman’s students, so this has to be real! Don’t let Yanina fool you. A private seal isn’t something you’d just give to a kid,” she insisted, jabbing a finger at Yanina.
Yanina shook her head at their stubbornness. “Sherman’s a free spirit. He’d give away a painting without a second thought, so why not let a kid play with a seal?”
If f you’re set on calling Sherman, wait until tomorrow. He’s resting now and won’t answer,” Yanina advised, well aware of his routine. She wondered if Steven, as his protége, knew the real Sherman.
Carl’s gaze on Steven carried a hint of contempt. A gift’s value was in the thought, not the price tag. But presenting a fake? That spoke volumes about a person’s character.
Instead of admitting his mistake, Steven kept trying to discredit Yanina to look better. He wasn’t the kind of guy the Zamora. family would welcome.
Feeling her grandfather’s disdain, Christina grew uneasy. She shot a glance at Steven. “What are you waiting for? Call Sherman now! Expose her lies!”
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Steven pulled out his phone and dialed Sherman’s number.
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