Chapter 217 Appraisal, Caught in Partnership
Gabriel's expression became somewhat strained.
Elijah had already been sent to prison by Catherine for his actions at the gallery, and word was he was now having three regular meals a day.
"Ms. Windsor, what do you mean? I don't understand."
"Didn't you visit him a few days ago? Life inside seems pretty good."
Gabriel and Elijah were actually family. After Elijah was sent in, Gabriel frequently visited him in prison.
"Ms. Windsor, I visit him because we used to be colleagues. I don't understand what you're saying. Is there a problem with these violins?"
Catherine raised an eyebrow, looking at Gabriel with a calm expression.
"Where did you get these violins?"
"Ms. Windsor, these violins were already in our shop! It's normal that you didn't see them last time since you left in a hurry."
Catherine turned the violin over to look at the inscription on the bottom.
There was a seal on the inscription. It was indeed Vincent's personal seal!
"Ms. Windsor, there's the seal right here. We've checked multiple times, and they're definitely authentic."
Gabriel was determined that even if Catherine knew something about violin construction, she couldn't possibly figure out the true origin of this violin.
There was also a signature on the violin, signed "Ryder."
Catherine raised an eyebrow slightly.
How come she didn't know she had made this violin and left her name on it?
This signature - who knew who had scribbled it with their foot.
"If you insist on denying it, then let's call in an authentication agency."
Antique violins and master-crafted violins commanded high prices, and there were professional authentication agencies in the industry.
Gabriel wasn't worried. "Sure, I'll call the authentication agency right now."
After all, he knew people at the agency - they had already worked out an arrangement.
To ensure the upcoming auction went smoothly, Gabriel had contacted the authentication agency long ago.
Gabriel took his phone and went out to make the call.
"Peter, bring your tools to the shop. Catherine insists on authenticating those violins. She really doesn't know her place. How old is she, thinking she's some kind of expert? Ridiculous. I've been in the violin business for so many years - how could she get one over on me?"
Elijah was just too stupid, leaving evidence for Catherine to find.
If Elijah had been even slightly more careful, Catherine definitely wouldn't have discovered anything!
Those violins were ones they'd spent good money to find at the antique market. Although they were pretty damaged when they got them, a little restoration made no difference.
Just a bit of restoration, and they could sell for a good price.
Peter picked up his tool bag. "Coming right away. The price is what we agreed on before. Just fool Catherine a bit and that's it."
"She's just someone from the Windsor family. If we don't teach her a lesson, she won't know her place!"
Just as Peter finished speaking, the door in front of him was suddenly kicked open from outside with great force!
He looked at the unexpected visitors in shock. "What are you doing?!"
Alkaid smiled, making way for Vincent and Austin Perry, the boss of the authentication center, who were behind him.
Austin went up and slapped him. "Peter, you're a veteran at the authentication center, yet you've done so many illegal things! How dare you mess with Vincent's student?"
Peter had just answered the call on speakerphone, and everyone at the door had heard his and Gabriel's insulting remarks about Catherine!
Austin felt ashamed.
Never mind that Catherine was the precious daughter the Windsor family had made a big fuss about bringing back - just the fact that Vincent personally acknowledged her as his student meant the violin world couldn't afford to offend her!
Peter covered his face, still confused about what was happening!
On the other end of the phone, Gabriel was still waiting for Peter to respond.
Austin bowed before Vincent. "I'm truly sorry, Vincent. This is all due to our authentication center's negligence. I'll personally handle this authentication myself, free of charge!"
Vincent laughed coldly. "I thought your authentication center didn't want to stay in business. Send this guy to prison too. The routine there is good,I think it suits him."
"Yes, I'll call the police right away!"
Peter's eyes widened as he looked at Austin. "I've worked at the center for thirty years. Even without achievements, I've put in the effort. Please give me one more chance!"
"Peter, save your words for the police. As a professional authenticator, you took money from clients to deliberately slander the shop. You're a disgrace to the industry!"
"This is fraud, and the authentication center will hold you accountable too."
Vincent watched as Peter was restrained, then waved his hand. "I still need to find someone, so I won't stay long. You go to the shop."
"Yes, yes, I'll go right away!"
Only after seeing that Vincent was satisfied with how he handled things did Austin breathe a sigh of relief. He headed to Catherine's shop with a large group of authentication personnel.
On the way there, Vincent had discovered Alkaid following him. After pulling him out, they made a detour to the violin authentication center, and what a coincidence it turned out to be.
"Alkaid, since you're following me, go drive. You don't expect me to be your driver, do you?"
"Okay!"
Gabriel listened to the busy signal on his phone, somewhat confused.
That Peter probably got distracted in the middle of the call again. Anyway, he'd agreed to come, so Gabriel would just wait.
"Ms. Windsor, the people from the authentication center are on their way."
"Good."
Catherine's hand gently touched the warm jade used on those violins.
She could tell at a touch that these were inferior quality warm jade. If not for the small amount used on the violins and the fact that it was embedded and hard to detect, these few pieces of warm jade would be worth at most two thousand dollars.
Yet Gabriel had hyped up these violins with inferior warm jade to sky-high prices.
The shop's assistant manager Nora brought up the people from the authentication center. "Ms. Windsor, Austin, the boss of the authentication center, is here."
Gabriel looked at the person in front of him and panicked!
Why was Austin here in person? Where was Peter?
"Wait, didn't I contact Peter? Why is Austin here in person?"
Austin put on his gloves and full authentication equipment while explaining to Catherine.
"Ms. Windsor, I'm Austin Perry, the owner of the Imperia City Violin Authentication Center. I'll be serving you today, free of charge!"
Catherine raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Peter has been taken away for investigation due to professional misconduct. What awaits him is prison time!"