Chapter 38: I Won't Sell This Sheepskin Calligraphy Scroll

Alicia saw me suddenly start laughing and quickly asked, "What's so funny? Why are you laughing?"

I rolled up the painting and put it away, "We're taking this painting."

Lorenzo was so mad at my words that he started shaking.

The people around us burst into laughter.

"Look at that! This guy's scared!"

"He's clearly an outsider, doesn't know the market. Now he's out $300,000 for nothing."

"I could eat steak for a lifetime with that kind of money!"

Alicia looked confused for a moment, "Wait, you said we're taking this painting?"

"Yep, we're taking it." I nodded, "Spending $300,000 on this painting is totally worth it."

The shop owner, hearing this, gave me a thumbs up and started laughing, "I knew it, you've got a good eye. You've got yourself a great piece!"

The people around me seemed bewildered, unable to understand how I could calmly declare, "Three hundred thousand dollars for a fake painting is a great deal," despite the obvious switch of the original oil painting.

"Is this guy out of his mind?"

"I think he's just a fool, a complete idiot!"

"Man, this is making me angry. Let's get out of here, I can't take this anymore!"

Lorenzo took a while to catch his breath, "Dennis, did you just say $300,000 for this thing, and it's worth it?"

"Yes!" I said firmly.

The shop owner chimed in, "Exactly! Look at you, your eyes have grown old and dim. This young man can tell at a glance that this is a masterpiece!"

Lorenzo was so mad he looked like he might spit fire, shooting me a fierce glare, lost for words.

The shop owner kept on, "Selling you a masterpiece like this for $300,000? I'm practically doing you a favor!"

"Is this guy's brain broken?" Someone sighed.

Alicia didn't know what to say, probably thinking I had lost my mind.

"Here's the $300,000. I'll take the painting," I said to the shop owner, "But honestly, $300,000 for this painting is a bit much. How about you throw in something extra?"

The shop owner was grinning from ear to ear, "Sure, you can pick anything from these two shelves!"

"Are you crazy!" Alicia couldn't hold back, "This is so embarrassing. Can't you tell? This guy's shop is full of fakes!"

Everything displayed on the shelves in this store was either replicas or contemporary art pieces. The most expensive item probably didn't exceed five thousand dollars. Asking him for extra was simply nonsensical, wasn't it?

I didn't respond to Alicia, walked over to the shelves, and pretended to pick something. Then I took a parchment scroll, "I'll take this."

"Sure, no problem. Just remember, you bought a painting, and I'm throwing in the parchment scroll. No take-backs!" The shop owner was all smiles.

I nodded, "Don't worry about it!"

The people around saw me pick the parchment scroll, and some started thinking I might be some kind of hidden expert. They gathered around to take a look.

Lorenzo also came over, took one glance, and saw that the parchment scroll was a fake. He angrily patted me on the back, but I acted like nothing happened and took the receipt from the shop owner.

With that, there was no turning back on this deal.

Alicia was almost in tears. Spending $300,000 on two fakes, and I had made her father so angry, being publicly humiliated as a fool. She was gritting her teeth at me!

The crowd was full of sneers, thinking I was out of my mind.

Just as I was about to leave with Lorenzo and Alicia, a middle-aged man approached, "Young man, can I take a look at that parchment scroll in your hand?"

"Brian?"

"Lorenzo?"

Lorenzo recognized the man instantly and was overjoyed.

Some in the crowd also recognized him, "Isn't that Mr. Graves?"

"Brian Graves?"

"It really is him, one of the top figures in our antique circle!"

"Mr. Graves wants to see that parchment scroll. Is it valuable?"

The shop owner also stopped smiling and watched closely.

I handed the parchment scroll to Brian, who was dressed in ordinary clothes, "Please, take a look and give me your opinion."

Brian smiled as he took the parchment scroll and examined it closely, "Oh, it's a Scroll of Lumina by Eldric Carvyn. Are you familiar with calligraphy?" Eldric Carvyn was a famous calligrapher, and his works were priceless.

I smiled wryly and shook my head, "Nah, I'm not that educated."

Brian looked confused as to why I'd purchase the parchment scroll if I didn't get calligraphy, "This is a copy, but a really good one, with a bit of the original's vibe."

The crowd, hearing it was indeed a fake, started mocking and ridiculing again.

Brian looked at Lorenzo, "Lorenzo, who is this young man?"

"My apprentice, Dennis!" Lorenzo, seeing that Brian had confirmed it was a fake, was even more displeased with me.

"Oh, I see. Dennis, your master knows that I love collecting various parchment scrolls. How about I offer you $10,000 for this one?"

The crowd praised Brian for his words. Offering $10,000 for the parchment scroll was clearly a way to help me save face.

Lorenzo sighed, "Fine. Brian, if you like it, take it. I..."

Before he could finish, I interrupted, "Lorenzo, Mr. Graves, I won't sell this parchment scroll."