Chapter 437: Quick-Witted in a Pinch

Bella replied to Gary with a cold laugh and then retorted, "Oppose you? I have no interest in doing

that. You’re not worth my time. But this 'Gray Tree' has been appraised by Xavier as a genuine

Mondrian. I figure two hundred million is a fair price to secure it. If you're feeling left out, Gary, you

can always raise your bid. Why not add another hundred on top of the two billion? After all, that

seems to be your style, barely daring to increase your bid, not even outdoing a country boy!"

Bella's jab turned Gary's face an ashen shade of anger. This sharp-tongued woman was actually

insinuating that a country boy was better than him? He was determined to claim her, to show her his

worth, and he wondered if she would still dare to belittle him when she was under his control.

Provoked by Bella's words, Gary couldn't afford to be outdone by Daniel. Yet, instead of simply

raising his bid, he turned his wits towards Xavier and questioned skeptically, "Xavier, are you sure

about your earlier inspection? Are you certain this 'Gray Tree' is an authentic work by Piet

Mondrian?"

Xavier wasn't foolish; he picked up on the insinuation in Gary's question. However, having just

verified the painting as a genuine Mondrian, denying his word now would be contradictory. But

Xavier was clever. With a quick mental pivot, he came up with a plan.

"This 'Gray Tree' is indeed an authentic Mondrian, there's no doubt about it. But when painting it,

Mondrian made a few mistakes. Moreover, 'Gray Tree' is an early work. Thus, both its style and

technique are somewhat immature," Xavier offered his revised critique.

Daniel couldn't help but give a thumbs-up to Xavier's ingenuity. "Impressive! Xavier, how

impressive! Just moments ago, you declared this 'Gray Tree' as Mondrian's pinnacle. How has it

suddenly become immature within five minutes?"

"You country bumpkin, what do you know? When I said it was his masterpiece, I was referring to

Mondrian's early peak. However, it was his later works where he truly excelled. So, this 'Gray Tree,'

even among all of Mondrian's works, is not the worst but it's certainly subpar. Even if it's authentic,

it's not worth much. On the market, it might fetch at most one hundred million. Now with your two

hundred million bid, by all means, buy it. After all, it's not your money you're spending; it's Bella's.

Spending someone else's money wouldn't pain you," Xavier retorted.

With Xavier's commentary, Gary found his excuse. "I really do like this 'Gray Tree.' Although Xavier

says it's worth at most one hundred million, and paying two hundred million would be foolish, I can

be a fool for something I love. My final offer is two hundred million and one thousand dollars," Gary

declared, gritting his teeth as he bid. To make a show at Elliot’s upcoming ninetieth birthday in front

of the entire family, he was willing to go all in. Two hundred million was, after all, only two months of

Gary's pocket money.