Chapter 49 The Painting

Jared was looking to use the painting to get a favor or trade it for something he liked.

Gabriel mentioned the painting could fetch around seventy to eighty grand, so it was worth at least fifty. Selling it for just ten thousand bucks, Jared was being pretty generous.

I thought, 'Lorenzo loves calligraphy and paintings. Should I buy it for him?'

While I was mulling it over, I noticed a faint white mist drifting over the painting!

This might be something good, maybe I can snag a deal!

As soon as Jared mentioned ten thousand dollars, a bunch of people wanted to grab it. I just squeezed through and snatched the painting.

Jared didn't expect the painting to be so popular. He turned around with a smile, but when he saw it was me, his face changed. "Dennis? What's a coffee shop waiter doing here? I'm not giving it to you!"

I didn't rush. I took a step back with the painting. "Mr. Clark, let's talk. I like this painting. But I didn't bring anything with me, and even if I did, you might not be interested. So, name your price, and I'll buy it. How about that?"

Hearing that I wanted to buy it, Lorenzo patted me. "Dennis, stay calm. If the painting's too expensive, it's not worth it!"

I nodded, thinking the money Ryan gave me was still in my account. I didn't check the exact amount, but it should be around five hundred grand, so I should be able to afford this painting.

Jared perked up immediately. "Buying it? Great, I bought it for two hundred thousand dollars. You can't expect me to lose money! Besides, we're from the same place, so I won't ask for much. Two hundred and ten thousand dollars, and it's yours!"

I hesitated, unsure if the painting was worth two hundred grand. But even if not, it would be a learning experience!

When the people around heard it was two hundred and ten thousand dollars, they got excited.

"Mr. Caldwell said the max is seventy to eighty grand. Only a fool would buy it for two hundred and ten thousand!"

"Yeah, does this guy think he's better than Mr. Caldwell?"

"Not at all! Didn't you hear? He's just a coffee shop waiter, probably just trying to show off!"

Gabriel looked a bit puzzled. He rested his chin on his hand, thought for a moment as if confirming his own opinion, then looked up at me with a playful expression.

Alicia tried to pull me away, but I patted her hand to let her know it was cool. Then I asked Jared for his account number and transferred the two hundred and ten grand right there.

Everyone was shocked, even Jared gave Gabriel a doubtful look. Seeing Gabriel sitting there all calm, Jared looked at me suspiciously.

I didn't say anything, just took the painting to a nearby table and spread it out to get a closer look.

Lorenzo and Alicia joined me, examining the painting carefully. After a few minutes, Lorenzo shook his head slightly and whispered, "Dennis, even though I'm not an expert, I think you overpaid for this."

Alicia sighed and patted my shoulder. "Dennis, it's okay, just think of it as a learning experience! But..."

She changed her tone. "Two hundred and ten grand? If you gave that to me, I could buy so much gaming gear!"

I almost choked, but then I noticed something and picked up the painting to examine it again.

"Dennis, let me tell you, as long as you like it, the price doesn't matter! I bought it for $200,000 back then, without any hesitation!" Jared added.

"Hey, this guy is really foolish; he didn't even buy what Mr. Caldwell was saying, and he spent two hundred and ten grand!" Someone teased.

"Exactly, too foolish!"

"Young folks these days, so full of themselves, trying to show off. Who does he think he is to question Mr. Caldwell! Now he's learned his lesson!"

Alicia, hearing the nasty comments around, tried to pull me away.

I took a few steps and stopped, sighing heavily. "This lousy painting, I misjudged it, damn it!"

Cursing, I raised the painting and tore it to pieces!

Lorenzo tried to stop me, but it was too late, and the fragments of the painting scattered on the ground.

"This..." Alicia looked at the pieces on the ground with distress. "Dennis, you shouldn't have..."

I chuckled. "It's okay if the painting is gone, I still have this!"

I displayed the two wooden scrolls to Alicia, then approached Gabriel and set them on the table. "Mr. Caldwell, I'm no expert on paintings or wood. Could you check the wood type for me?"

Gabriel didn't expect this move from me. He took the scrolls, frowned, looked at them for a moment, then sniffed them. Suddenly, his expression changed!