Chapter 442 - Chapter 442: Sunflower (1/2)

Chapter 442: Sunflower

“This painting is an excellent imitation, almost identical to the original, and the aging techniques used are also very sophisticated. If it weren’t for a professional to appraise it, it would be hard to tell it’s a fake.”

Chen Yu’s assessment was quite fair, as he had almost subconsciously believed it to be an authentic piece when he first saw the painting.

Mengluos laughed heartily.

“Mr. Chen, you have quite the eye. I’ve had this painting for ten years and only last year did I discover that it was a forgery.”

Chen Yu was taken aback, Mengluos’s mindset was truly extraordinary.

If others found out that a collection they’d cherished for ten years was fake, they would probably be devastated, yet he seemed so nonchalant about it.

“Mr. Mengluos, I don’t mean to offend, but don’t you think you should dispose of this painting first?”

Mengluos waved his hand dismissively.

“Mr. Chen, what you don’t know is that this ’Dusk Haystack’ was crafted by a famous thief! This guy once sneaked into a museum to steal both ’Morning Haystack’ and ’Dusk Haystack’. Therefore, he created two imitations, but alas, his plan was eventually exposed and these two forgeries ended up lost to the world.”

Chen Yu’s interest was piqued; such paintings with legendary stories were also very valuable. Even as forgeries, they could still fetch a considerable sum.

Mengluos currently only had one, but if he could collect both the morning and dusk versions, their value might increase several times over.

Afterwards, Mengluos brought out several more paintings from his collection for Chen Yu to appreciate, but these too were almost all fake.

It seemed that in this room, apart from a modern painting hung on the wall, the rest were all imitations.

Mengluos didn’t seem to care, and continued to show Chen Yu his collection, one by one.

As the two were studying the artworks, a knock suddenly sounded at the door.

“Mengluos, the painting you sold me last time is fake! Come out here; you must compensate me tenfold.”

Mengluos jumped with fright and quickly opened the door. There stood a rather sleazy-looking man holding a sunflower painting.

Chen Yu also stopped in his tracks when he stepped out.

This guy either had a purpose or was out of his mind.

Van Gogh’s sunflowers were still in museums; the painting in front of him was obviously fake.

Mengluos was also seething with anger.

“Cardos, I reminded you when we made the deal that this painting was a reproduction from the start. Now you come to me claiming it’s fake; what is this all about?”

Cardos snorted coldly and marched into the center of the hall, slamming the painting onto the table.

“Everyone, come see; this man has no integrity, he sold me a fake painting!”

The crowd present immediately gathered around.

All of Van Gogh’s sunflowers were in museums; any that appeared outside could almost certainly be declared fake.

Many of those present had been dealing in antique paintings for years and could see through Cardos’s plot at a glance.

However, they still came over, eager to watch the excitement unfold.

Mengluos was livid and hurried forward to seize the painting.

“Don’t go too far, we did have a contract when we made the deal.”

Cardos laughed loudly, “Then why don’t you produce the contract?”

Mengluos was suddenly at a loss; when the two of them conducted the transaction, they had destroyed the contract and payment records to show good faith.

“`