Chapter 135
Daryl looked at Josephine with scrutiny. "Just you?"
It wasn't that he looked down on Josephine, but authenticating collectibles was a job for professionals. Without the skill, bold claims would only end in humiliation.
Indigo declared categorically, "I personally authenticated this painting—it's absolutely genuine!"
"Ms. Kennedy, you can't speak carelessly." Compared to Josephine, Daryl naturally trusted the more professional Indigo.
With Cedric's support, Josephine walked to the shattered painting. She wanted to crouch down, but her injuries made it difficult. Cedric stepped forward first, picking up a larger canvas fragment and handing it to her.
Josephine smiled at him and carefully examined the canvas edge, then looked at the paint layer. "Mr. Roberts, when authenticating paintings, what aspects do you typically examine?"
Indigo snorted coldly. "Naturally, the paper, pigments, brushwork, seals, mounting, plus the artist's personal style and period characteristics."
Josephine held up the canvas fragment. "This painting uses cotton paper, and high-quality cotton paper at that. This type of paper has a soft texture and good water absorption—indeed, a paper type this artist commonly used."
Indigo looked smug. "You need to tell me that?"
Josephine glanced at him. "The cotton paper this artist used in his later years had a characteristic—he favored specially made cotton paper. This paper has a delicate texture, with faint patterns on the surface that show a special luster under light."
She held the canvas fragment up to the light. The paper quality was decent, but the surface was smooth and flat, without patterns or special luster.
Others couldn't tell, but Indigo had some expertise and naturally noticed the irregularity.
But he considered this no problem. "This... perhaps the artist occasionally switched papers. This can't be used as a criterion!"
Josephine proceeded unhurriedly, her fingertip resting on the brushstrokes. "In his later works, this artist favored mineral pigments. Especially blue—this pigment has a stable color that doesn't fade. Because mineral particles are larger, they create a subtle granular texture on the painting."
She lightly rubbed the blue areas on the canvas, the sensation was quite obvious. "Everyone touch it—the pigment here is very smooth and fine, without granular texture. This is characteristic of modern chemical pigments."
Someone tentatively touched it—indeed so.
Indigo's expression worsened.
It wasn't over.
Josephine continued leisurely. "Third, brushwork. This artist's late brushwork reached a very high level. Lines appear casual, but each stroke contains profound skill. Especially the mountain and rock technique—he used his own original method, with colors layered gradually, levels distinct."
Following her fingertip, everyone looked at the mountain and rock sections.
"Although this imitates it well, the color is monotonous, the layers insufficient, and the lines too smooth, lacking the artist's subtle charm."
Those knowledgeable about painting looked closely, all showing thoughtful expressions.
Daryl's expression had already changed. He'd collected paintings for years—though not an expert, he had some appreciation ability. The more he heard Josephine's points, the more sense they made.
If it hadn't been broken today, with the painting always mounted in its frame, this truly wouldn't have been noticeable.
"Fourth, the seal." Josephine continued. "The seal this artist used in his later years was carved by a famous seal engraver of the time. That seal's technique was vigorous and powerful, using premium custom seal paste with bright, lasting color."
She pointed to the seal in the painting's corner. "This seal's technique is too neat, lacking that casual, free-spirited feeling. Moreover, the seal paste color is too dark—not the hue that the custom paste should have."
Indigo couldn't speak, sweat beginning to form on his forehead.
Josephine's points—he naturally understood them. Others listening might still be confused, but Indigo knew the scholarship involved.
Josephine's gaze shifted to Daryl. "You just said you acquired this painting three years ago at Opulent Auction House's spring auction, correct?"
"Yes." Daryl's voice was somewhat hoarse.
Josephine's eyes flashed with understanding. "Three years ago, at that spring auction, there indeed was a famous work by this artist up for bid. But that painting was withdrawn the day before auction by the artist's descendants, citing: 'family heirloom, unsuitable for external circulation.'"
"What?" Daryl couldn't believe it.
Josephine couldn't help looking at him sympathetically.
For a collector, to painstakingly acquire and treasure a piece as a prized possession, only for it to ultimately be fake—
How cruel.
"This incident isn't a secret in the industry. If you don't believe me, you can call Opulent Auction House right now to verify. Or check that year's auction records."
Daryl's face instantly turned pale.
He still didn't believe it—he had to seek the truth.
With trembling hands, Daryl pulled out his phone and dialed a number.
"It's me, Daryl. Help me check—three years ago at Opulent Auction House... yes, I need to know now."
Whatever was said on the other end, Daryl's expression grew increasingly ugly.
After hanging up, he furiously threw his phone.
The phone shattered into pieces, revealing his current state of mind. Others didn't dare breathe.
Indigo wasn't foolish either—didn't even dare ask, only feeling cold sweat forming.
Daryl slowly raised his head, looking at Josephine with complex eyes, then at the painting fragments on the ground. He closed his eyes, his voice hoarse. "That painting was indeed withdrawn, and moreover, Opulent Auction House never completed a sale of this painting."
As his words fell, the hall erupted.
"So this painting really is fake?"
"My god, Mr. Fields was deceived!"
"Then Ms. Kennedy..."
All eyes focused on Josephine. Those who'd just sympathized with her or accused her now had changed expressions.
Lorelei and Hestia's faces were deathly pale.
How could this be? How could Josephine have this ability?
Indigo looked even more ashen, murmuring, "Impossible... this can't be... I clearly authenticated it..."
Josephine said calmly, "Mr. Roberts, you may have been fooled by a high-quality forgery. Modern forgery techniques are very sophisticated. Without particular familiarity with an artist's style and details, it's easy to be deceived."
Indigo was lost and devastated, deeply affected.
He'd been in this profession for years. Except when first starting out, he'd never been fooled since.
Now this happened—so humiliating.
He'd lost all face.
Josephine knew he was deeply affected and needed time to recover. Her gaze turned to Daryl. "Mr. Fields, I'm sorry you learned the truth. But I believe you'd rather know the facts than be deceived."
Daryl had already calmed from the shocking revelation. "Ms. Kennedy, thank you."
"If not for you, I might have been kept in the dark forever..." Daryl's lips twitched in an attempt to smile, but he couldn't, ultimately becoming a bitter smile. "Thirty-eight million dollars for a forgery... what a joke if word gets out."
"Neither Mr. Fields nor Mr. Roberts needs to blame yourselves. Fraudsters are numerous with sophisticated methods. Being deceived isn't our fault—it's the fraudsters who are detestable." Her words gave Indigo an out, but Indigo was mortified, wishing for a hole to crawl into, not wanting to say a word.
Daryl looked at Josephine with a trace of admiration. "Ms. Kennedy, I apologize for my earlier attitude toward you."
Josephine's lips curved slightly. "You're too kind."
Having listened for a while, seeing the incident about to be resolved, Hestia received a hint from Lorelei and suddenly spoke up. "But even if it's a forgery, you still damaged it. Regardless of whether what Mr. Fields bought was genuine or fake, he did spend thirty-eight million dollars. If you damaged it, you must compensate."