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Chapter 41
Chapter 41
“How about it?”
Lounging comfortably against a plush leather seat, Howard appeared relaxed, his eyes shimmering like a moonlit spring in the depths of the mountains.
Gwendolyn considered her words carefully. “Mr. Chadwick, I think you knew that painting was a fake all along.”
It was just an intuition.
“And what makes you say that? I’m hardly an antiquities expert.”
Gwendolyn frowned, laying out her suspicions: “You gave up too easily at the start, and your seemed unfazed by Bainbridge’s taunts. But most importantly…”
“What?”
“The Mr. Chadwick I know wouldn’t spend thirty–five million on a painting. That kind of money. for you, would be better spent on something meaningful.” Like starting a foundation, or making a donation.
He didn’t have pretentious tastes, nor was he after fame and fortune. Instead, he was down–to–earth and principled, truly the mark of a gentleman.
Howard leaned in unexpectedly, staring into her eyes.
“My master Gwen is so clever. But…” His eyes gleamed like a spring under the moonlight as he chuckled, “We’ve still got to buy what we need to buy.”
Then, he placed a long and red velvet box into her hands. “For you, consider it a reward.”
Howard hadn’t anticipated that a young woman he’d met fleetingly could see through his facade, while his so–called “family” never really understood him.
Opening the box, Gwendolyn found a set of golden needles shining with a cold and sharp light.
Just as she had expected.
“I saw you eyeing Waldo’s gold needles with envy. They’re yours now.”
Gwendolyn wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t bear to let them go. Seeing her adorable indecision, Howard said, “We’ll deduct it from your consultation fee.” Upstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g
“Deal!” Her eyes curved with joy as she accepted the gift.
His deep eyes were filled with amusement. His girl deserved only the best.
“Mr. Chadwick, you’re awesome!”
Her pure trust and simplicity warmed his heart. His smile grew slowly, his voice husky and seductive.
“So Gwendolyn, you’ll have to be good to me too.”
“No problem.”
All the way home, Gwendolyn held her head low, tenderly touching each golden needle, unable to contain her delight.
The car pulled up to the house.
At this hour, the villa’s gate was open, the living room bright with light. Normally, Marina would have retired to her room to watch TV and prepare for bed.
How strange!
“Take it slow, make sure you recognize the person before you go in.” Howard was laced with a cold edge.
Perhaps Bainbridge had suffered a setback and came directly here.
After all, they were capable of anything.
Gwendolyn grew nervous at his words. Could there be a burglary even in the affluent neighborhood?
She pushed Howard’s wheelchair through the foyer slowly. At the sight of Roselind and Jameson sitting on the sofa, she breathed a sigh of relief.
Howard greeted them, “What brings you here?”
Gwendolyn felt embarrassed to be witnessed with Howard alone by his parents.
Roselind looked stern, her expression dark. Jameson kept making eyes at Howard, hoping he’d get the hint.
“Got something in your eye? I’ll take you to the ophthalmologist tomorrow.” Roselind was holding back her fury as though sitting on a powder keg.
Gwendolyn raced her heart.
“Honey, getting angry will only give you wrinkles. Just talk to the kids. You want them to get along, right?” Jameson was the peacemaker, always smoothing things over.
He excelled at calming troubled waters.
“I do want to talk. Marina, show them what you’ve found.” Roselind took a deep breath. Everyone had their moments of youthful passion and their times of overwhelming emotions.
“I can’t lose my cool,” Roselind told herself as she tried to stay calm.