"Hahaha, well said, well said." Mr. Pierce was even happier, not catching the undertone of Timmy Monroe’s words at all, because in his eyes, his beloved grandson is Lucas Pierce.
Nothing makes him happier than Lucas being filial to him.
Old friends looked at Mr. Pierce, who was happy for being scolded by a child. Really?
Because that’s President Kane’s kid?
The ones scolded are so "happy," they followed with "hahaha."
Mr. Pierce had no idea he was being mocked by everyone.
Lucas Pierce couldn’t laugh, either. He couldn’t understand why his grandfather was so happy. Could it be his age? Or a confused mind?
Ivana Monroe wanted to give the "gift" in her hand to Mr. Pierce, but Leon Keane took it from her.
Leon Keane gave Ivana a look to stop arguing, took the gift, and strode over to Mr. Pierce, placing it on the table.
He did this with his own thoughts, knowing Mr. Pierce’s personality. After today, he’d surely take the fake to the auction house for an expert evaluation, and that would expose the forgery.
If Ivana gave Mr. Pierce the fake, Mr. Pierce might blame her.
Leon Keane didn’t care at all about Mr. Pierce’s attitude.
But... Leon’s mother might blame Ivana.
That’s not something Leon wanted to see.
So he took the gift over and delivered it himself, making it clear that if his mother wanted to ask questions later, she should come to him.
Mr. Pierce eyed the gift on the table, eyes gleaming, eagerly anticipating the valuable treasure inside.
Yesterday, he had told Leon’s mother not to bring anything embarrassing. He had high expectations for the gift Leon would give.
Leon would never go against his mother’s wishes. As long as she asked, Leon would even give Jackie Little Micro Fund.
"Old Pierce, open it and take a look!" reminded an old friend.
Upon hearing this, Mr. Pierce couldn’t wait any longer and reached out to take the gift out of the box. Over there, Lucas Pierce stood up, as if afraid he couldn’t see clearly.
The gift was a painting.
Mr. Pierce looked at it, a bit baffled: "Why are there five cows? The paper is yellowed."
Could it be worthless?
Mr. Pierce was a bit upset.
"Whoa~ This is the Five Oxen painting, a silkwork from the Tang dynasty, also the oldest extant paper Chinese painting," someone exclaimed in surprise.
Lucas Pierce didn’t understand paintings, but he was smart! To know the price, he immediately started searching on Baidu. A minute later, he found it.
The current price of this painting is at least several billion yuan, and that’s a conservative estimate.
Lucas Pierce was so happy he trembled. As soon as Grandpa’s birthday party was over, he would ask for the painting. Anyway, Grandpa said everything was his, and all the things he asked from Leon’s mother and Leon were for him.
No one doubted the painting was a fake. Everyone believed if Leon Keane presented it, it couldn’t be a forgery. No need for expert identification; Leon’s reputation surpassed that of experts.
People started checking the true worth of the "Five Oxen" painting, and the number quietly reached Leon’s mother’s ears.
Leon’s mother didn’t look pleased.
A birthday gift worth several billion yuan, that’s real generosity.
Leon’s mother thought about how she asked Leon to give the Little Micro Fund to Lucas, but Leon was reluctant, using various excuses. Now, for Ivana, a birthday gift worth billions, he gave it just like that?
Wasn’t Leon doing this to give Ivana face?
His mother cursed inwardly.
She felt bad, feeling that her place in Leon’s heart was far below that of Ivana now.
The birthday party was nearing its end.
Both Lucas Pierce and Mr. Pierce had drunk a lot. Leon’s mother’s persuasion didn’t help, Mr. Pierce wouldn’t listen to her at all, so happy was he today.
Leon’s mother gave Leon a look, motioning him to persuade Mr. Pierce, but Leon pretended not to see it. What did it matter to him if Mr. Pierce drank too much?
Even if he drank to death, it wouldn’t be his concern.
Lucas Pierce, drunk, holding a wine glass, ran up to Leon Keane, his drunk tongue stammering, "Leon Keane, we’re cousins, we’re family. So, I speak not as two families. With Little Micro Fund’s trend rising steadily, if you invest another billion, I assure you... hiccup... it’ll become a listed company by year-end, earning a billion."
Sarah Pierce nearly spat out her drink.
She sat next to Timmy Monroe, very close to Ivana, and said in a low voice to Ivana, "Cousin-in-law, tell my cousin not to listen to Lucas. He’s just an idiot, probably Little Micro Fund has lost money again and isn’t operating well, so he wants to cheat my cousin out of money!"
Ivana smiled and said, "Don’t worry, your cousin isn’t a fool."
Sarah Pierce felt reassured upon hearing that.
"Sarah Pierce, what do you mean? What are you whispering to my cousin-in-law? Talking bad about me? I warn you, don’t not appreciate kindness! If it wasn’t Grandpa’s birthday today, I..."
Lucas Pierce, ferocious, lifted his elbow and gestured as if to hit Sarah Pierce.
"Lucas Pierce, why are you being so fierce? Who do you think you are? So what if I talk bad about you? You think you can hit me?" Sarah Pierce couldn’t stand Lucas Pierce’s behavior.
The last word didn’t come out.
Bam! A table slap sound.
Lucas Pierce was startled, it was Leon Keane who slapped the table.
Leon Keane coldly said to Lucas Pierce. For original chapters go to novel·fire·net
Lucas Pierce paused, feeling very annoyed, but he dared not act out in front of Leon. He gave Sarah a vicious glare, as if saying: I’ll deal with you.
Mr. Pierce, feeling upset, slammed the table forcefully: "Leon Keane, today’s my birthday, and you’re slapping the table at my grandson? You want to rebel?"
Leon’s mother sat next to Mr. Pierce, seeing him getting angry, she advised, "Dad, don’t be upset, Leon didn’t slap the table at Lucas, he just doesn’t want Lucas and Sarah to quarrel."
Leon’s mother gave Lucas a somewhat blaming look: This kid, can’t he behave a bit?
Mr. Pierce, drunk with wine fumes, didn’t think Leon’s mother was right: "Honey, Leon is your son, don’t think of shielding him. If he isn’t bullying Lucas, then let him give ten billion to Lucas."
Leon’s mother’s heart skipped a beat, how did it get to talking about money?
Leon Keane’s handsome face revealed a contemptuous cold smile.
Ivana was utterly speechless, Mr. Pierce’s behavior was extreme, right? Starting with ten billion?
If it were her, she’d rather bully Lucas than give ten billion.