Chapter 554: Chapter 555: Loving the Thrill of a Good Show
Xia Weiwei felt strongly that Xia Yangyang had arrived intentionally to disrupt the event.
Just to make her lose face completely.
She wanted nothing more than to tear apart Xia Yangyang’s calm faĉ̣ade.
However, Gu Qichen was by her side.
Xia Weiwei had no choice but to keep up appearances.
Despite her frustration, Xia Weiwei graciously stepped forward: “This painting could not possibly be a fake. If it is, I am willing to pay ten times the cost to compensate Mr. Zhang for his losses. If the painting is proved authentic, the person spreading rumors will also pay the price.”
In her heart, Xia Weiwei was thinking, what does Xia Yangyang understand about paintings?
In the past few years as Liu Ruyan had opened an antique shop, she had also learned something about it.
The painting, be it in terms of fine brushwork or spirit, was impeccable. It couldn’t be a fake.
Moreover, Xia Weiwei had the painting verified on the spot when she bought it. It was even more unlikely to be a counterfeit.
Yangyang was surely bringing up this issue to confuse people and deliberately tarnish her reputation.
However, Xia Yangyang said lightly with a hint of a smile: “Alright, if I have wronged Miss Xia, I’ll accept any punishment.”
Xia Yangyang’s strong remark made Xia Weiwei suspicious.
What was her actual objective?
The atmosphere on the spot changed instantly.
Isn’t Miss Xia the elder sister of the younger Miss Xia?
Why would she spoil the show at this time?
Just a moment ago, they had staged a tearful reunion as sisters.
Has it already been that long?
A seasoned journalist suddenly noted: “Mr. Gu was married once before, and his ex-wife was the eldest Miss Xia of the Xia Family. Since this lady is Xia Weiwei’s sister, doesn’t that mean she was Mr. Gu’s ex-wife?”
This news spread quickly among the crowd.
Everyone was whispering discussions in private and the scene was abuzz with chatter.
“My god, their relationships are so complicated. No wonder we’ve often heard Miss Xia call him ‘brother-in-law’.”
“Since Mr. Gu and Miss Xia’s sister are divorced, why would Miss Xia still want to look like the elder Miss Xia? The reasons behind this are terrifying to think about.”
“I heard that back then, it was the grand Miss Xia of the Xia Family who dumped Mr. Gu. After being hurt, only then did Mr. Gu begin to change and frequented the social scene.”
“That makes sense now. Mr. Gu’s true feelings must still be rooted in the grand Miss Xia of the Xia Family. Miss Xia underwent such a transformation perhaps just to catch Mr. Gu’s attention in place of her own sister…”
Everyone’s attention was instantly diverted from the authenticity of the famous painting to the complexities of the relationships between several people.
Although they weren’t talking very loudly,
Xia Weiwei heard everything.
This was Xia Yangyang’s objective: to attract attention and exhume old histories.
If it continues this way and the incident where she was imprisoned years ago is dug up, her painstakingly built reputation from over the years will all be lost.
Xia Weiwei felt incensed, but continued to keep a stern look on her face.
In her view, Xia Yangyang’s eventual objective was to attract the attention of the media and the public.
She had never learned about authenticating antique paintings and knew absolutely nothing about antiques.
Even a professional expert wouldn’t dare to conclude that the painting was a fake with just one look, like her.
So she must be blabbering nonsense.
This made Xia Weiwei more relieved.
Xia Weiwei replied, “Alright, Xia Yangyang, those were your words. If the painting is proved real and you are found to be slandering me, you’ll have to face the consequences. As for the authenticity of the painting, let’s examine it. I, Xia Weiwei, am upright and forthright in my actions. I am not afraid of your slanders.”
The onlookers, who loved the thrill, requested the painting to be scrutinized.
Xia Weiwei stepped on the stage, “There are many connoisseurs among you, please come forward and look carefully. I seek your assist for my reputation.”