Chapter 134
The hall fell into deathly silence.
Everyone looked at Josephine, waiting for her reaction.
Thirty-eight million dollars—the figure pressed on everyone's hearts like a massive stone.
A barely perceptible smile curved Lorelei's lips.
She still thought it was too little!
Josephine should be bankrupted entirely!
Josephine remained composed, meeting Daryl's gaze. "Mr. Fields, thirty-eight million dollars was this painting's price three years ago. But the art market changes rapidly. Have you considered what this painting is worth now?"
Daryl narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
The current price would certainly be doubled.
"I mean," Josephine said calmly, "if compensation is required, it should be based on current market value. Not the price from three years ago."
Her words stunned everyone.
Including Daryl.
He'd assumed Josephine would haggle or plead poverty. But unexpectedly, she proactively suggested compensating based on current market value.
This defied logic.
"Ms. Kennedy," Daryl spoke slowly, "you're certain you want to pay current market value? That would be far more than thirty-eight million dollars."
Collectibles worked this way—the longer the time, the more valuable.
Josephine said deliberately, "Provided the price is reasonable."
Daryl immediately understood her meaning—she was worried he'd inflate the price. He turned to a nearby staff member. "Please bring Mr. Roberts here."
The staff member left immediately.
Daryl said flatly, "Ms. Kennedy, rest assured, I have no fakes here."
Josephine remained noncommittal.
Who said there weren't any? Wasn't one right before her eyes!
Minutes later, an elderly man in a suit with graying hair approached. About sixty-something, wearing gold-rimmed glasses and holding a magnifying glass, he looked quite scholarly.
This Indigo Roberts was a renowned appraiser with extensive experience in authenticating collectibles.
"Mr. Fields." Indigo nodded slightly.
"Mr. Roberts," Daryl pointed at the shattered painting, "please help appraise this. What's this painting's current market value?"
Indigo approached the painting, crouched down, and examined it carefully.
He first inspected the canvas material, then the paint, then picked up a frame fragment and studied it closely.
Throughout, his expression remained serious.
The hall was silent. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Indigo's conclusion.
Minutes later, Indigo slowly stood, removed his glasses, wiped them, and put them back on.
"Mr. Fields, this painting is one of the artist's representative late works. Three years ago at auction, thirty-eight million dollars was already underpriced."
He paused, his gaze sweeping the crowd. "Over these three years, the artist's value has soared, and his works' market prices have risen accordingly. Especially this painting—with its profound artistic conception and exquisite technique, it's a pinnacle work from the artist's later years."
Everyone's hearts lifted.
Indigo slowly extended five fingers. "Conservative estimate—current market value is at least this much."
"Fifty million dollars?" someone whispered.
Indigo nodded. "Correct."
"What?"
"Fifty million dollars?"
"Oh my god!"
The hall erupted.
Fifty million dollars! The figure shocked everyone.
Lorelei and Hestia exchanged glances, both seeing wild joy in the other's eyes. Fifty million dollars! Josephine was finished this time!
Daryl's expression also changed, filled with both heartache and anger over such a fine painting being destroyed.
Worth fifty million now, in three years it could be a hundred million dollars!
"Mr. Roberts," Daryl asked heavily, "are you certain?"
"Certain," Indigo said definitively. "This is still a conservative estimate. At auction, if the right buyer appeared, the price could go even higher."
He turned to Josephine, his tone serious. "This young lady has damaged such a precious artwork—it's truly..."
His sigh was full of regret and reproach toward Josephine.
Daryl looked at Josephine again, his voice icy. "Ms. Kennedy, you heard. Fifty million dollars. This is Mr. Roberts's appraisal."
He glanced at Cedric, his eyes darkening. He closed them briefly, then opened them. "Given that you're someone Mr. Cedric Getty brought, I can offer you a discount. Forty million dollars. That's the lowest price I can offer."
Forty million dollars!
Everyone looked at Josephine with sympathy.
Forty million dollars—a huge sum for anyone. This time, Josephine would likely be completely bankrupt.
Lorelei suppressed her inner excitement, her voice gentle yet cutting. "Ms. Kennedy, don't be too upset. Though forty million dollars is a lot, but... who told you to be careless? Just be more careful in the future."
Hestia gloated. "Consider it buying a lesson, though this lesson is rather expensive."
It sounded like comfort, but every sentence rubbed salt in Josephine's wounds.
Cedric stepped forward, about to speak, but Josephine stopped him.
She looked at Daryl, then at Indigo, finally sweeping her gaze over Lorelei and Hestia before speaking slowly. "Mr. Fields, Mr. Roberts, thank you for your appraisals. However..."
She paused, speaking word by word. "Even if compensation is required, it won't be that much."
Daryl's expression instantly darkened. "What do you mean? Trying to renege?"
Indigo also frowned. "Young lady, damaging property requires compensation. This is natural justice. You can't try to evade responsibility because the price is high."
Josephine smiled lightly. "This painting isn't worth forty million dollars."
"What?" Indigo's voice shot up. "What did you say?"
Daryl's expression also turned extremely ugly. He asked deliberately, "Josephine, do you know what you're saying?"
Josephine calmly met his gaze. "Because this painting is fake."
"Nonsense!" Indigo was so angry his beard bristled. "I've authenticated paintings for decades and never misjudged! This painting is absolutely genuine! What does a young girl like you understand?"
Daryl also became angry. "Josephine! I already gave you a discount out of respect for Mr. Cedric Getty! Yet you dare slander my collection as fake?"
Lorelei seized the opportunity to fan the flames. "Mr. Fields, please don't be angry. Ms. Kennedy is probably just anxious, speaking without thinking. After all, forty million dollars isn't a small sum—she might not be able to accept it momentarily."
Hestia chimed in. "Ms. Kennedy, stop being stubborn. Damaging property requires compensation—even children understand this principle. You're saying the painting is fake, questioning Mr. Fields's judgment and Mr. Roberts's expertise?"
Every sentence stoked the fire.
Indigo indeed grew angrier. He pointed at Josephine, telling Daryl, "Mr. Fields, I think this young lady wasn't careless at all—she deliberately destroyed the painting! Now slandering it as fake, clearly trying to evade responsibility! I suggest calling the police immediately! Let them handle this!"
Lorelei lowered her head, lips curving slightly.
If police were called, the matter's nature would completely change.
Daryl's expression was extremely dark. His eyes were cold. "Ms. Kennedy, I'm giving you one last chance. Either compensate forty million dollars, or I call the police immediately."
All eyes focused on Josephine.
Cedric frowned slightly but didn't move, standing behind Josephine, his gaze resting on her.
He knew she didn't need anyone's help.
Facing this predicament, Josephine showed no panic. Instead, she asked with a half-smile, "What if I can prove this painting is fake?"