Chapter 397
Chapter 397:
Still, noticing Ashton’s interest, she mentioned, “If you really like it but it’s out of your budget, just let me know, and I’ll purchase it for you p>
Bystanders who had stopped to watch began to whisper to Abrial, hoping to prevent her from making a mistake. “Miss, be careful. That painting doesn’t seem all that special. If it were truly valuable, why would he offer it so cheaply? I wouldn’t buy it if I were you p>
The stall owner, inwardly thrilled to have hooked a potential buyer, became annoyed when he heard the onlooker’s comment and glared at the well-meaning spectator.
The concerned onlooker, realizing who the stall owner was, quickly clamped his mouth shut, too scared to say more.
Ashton, observing all this quietly, wasn’t bothered. After studying the painting, he verified that something was concealed within it.
He smiled and asked the stall owner, “Are you certain you’ll sell this painting to us for ten thousand p>
Seeing Ashton’s seemingly naive demeanor, the stall owner barely held back his excitement.
He pounded his chest and vowed sincerely, “We run a business based on trust here. If I quote ten thousand, then it’s ten thousand! Once you’ve paid, whether it appraises for a million or ten million later, that’s none of my business p>
Hearing the stall owner’s pledge, Ashton nodded and turned to Abrial. “Abrial, why don’t you purchase this painting for your grandfather? I believe he’ll appreciate it p>
Abrial looked at Ashton hesitantly, but after considering for a moment, she realized ten thousand wasn’t much for her and quickly agreed to buy the painting.
The stall owner’s smile was so wide it nearly distorted his face. He had gotten the painting for just ten dollars and was now selling it for ten thousand—a profit a thousand times over!
F𝓾ll 🦋𝓊𝓅𝒹𝒶𝓉𝑒s h𝑒rє: g𝓐l𝑛ovєls.𝓬•𝓂
He quickly packaged the painting and handed it over to Ashton, emphasizing his point, saying, “Now that the painting is in your hands, we’ve completed a transaction, and no one can back out, agreed p>
Ashton smiled and nodded. “Absolutely, I’m not backing out, and you shouldn’t either p>
As the deal concluded, many bystanders sighed wistfully. A nearby stall owner grumbled quietly, “Darn, that swift deal probably netted him nearly ten thousand! Why couldn’t that have been me who made a transaction with that fool p>
One of the sympathetic onlookers shook his head, murmuring, “These days, anyone who comes to the black market without knowing what they’re doing is either a fool or too rich. Looks like these people are both naive and flush with cash p>
Despite the murmurs, Ashton simply smiled and, in full view of everyone, began to carefully peel the edge of the ancient painting.
As the crowd watched, puzzled by his actions, they saw him slowly extract another ancient painting hidden within the layers of the first one!
The painting’s age made the hidden artwork stick tightly to the outer paper layer.
To separate them without damage demanded skills that were rare, even among the seasoned veterans of the black market.