Chapter 11

You're usually so sharp—how come you act just as foolish as your idiot cousin when it matters most?

Since the Klein family operates in an industry that includes antique trading, everything Alan Yager says is immediately clear to all the relatives present.

Among ancient masterpieces, there exists a rare masterpiece known as a "painting within a painting."

It simply uses a crude fake painting to conceal the genuine artwork's priceless value.

The concept of a painting within a painting is extremely rare; if someone from the world of antiques were to mention this, everyone would surely exclaim in astonishment.

Yet it was none other than Alan Yager—the least favored son-in-law of the Klein family—who truly revealed the profound mystery behind this picture within a picture.

As a result, the general public responded with nothing but skepticism and criticism.

This kid is none other than Alan Yager—who does he think he is? A guy who doesn't even know what an antique is, yet dares to comment on a painting within a painting!

As for him, you might as well just listen to what he says—it's nothing more than a clown's attempt to attract attention by spouting nonsense!

At this very moment, the discussions among all Klein family relatives perfectly captured Duff Klein's true feelings.

With a mocking glance at Alan Yeger, Young Master Fang shook his head in ridicule.

Alan Yager... Alan Yager, you really don't realize how capable you are at putting on a show!

You call this a "painting within a painting," but why did all those experts in the field fail to spot it despite the presence of so many antiques here? Yet it was precisely you, some incompetent outsider, who managed to notice it?

To Duff Klein's sarcastic remarks, Alan Yager merely shrugged indifferently.

"It's just your own blindness; no wonder others think that way!"

“ you ！”

When it comes to the Klein family's influence across Seattle, Alan Yager falls short of Duff Klein.

But when it comes to verbal sparring, how could Young Master Fang possibly match Alan Yager's ability to turn a dead man into a living one?

Just as he was about to open his mouth to argue back, he suddenly found himself at a loss for words.

In the end, it was Mrs.Klein who recognized her grandson's predicament and firmly tapped the handle of the rosewood chair beneath her.

"What the hell! Today is my 80th birthday – how can you all keep making such a racket down there?"

Mrs.Klein held such considerable influence within the Klein family that when he let out a low cry, the entire main hall fell silent.

Then Mrs.Klein turned her aged eyes toward Alan Yager.

"Are you the husband of my Belissa Klein—Alan Yager?"

It may not look impressive, but its mouth is truly sharp!

You claim that the fake painting in Bethel Klein's possession is actually a picture within a picture? Then present me with solid evidence!

If what you say is true, old woman, I'll reward you handsomely! But if it's false, you must kneel before everyone and apologize to Daf Klein!

This time, everyone finally understood.

Moreover, how could Mrs.Klein—known for her protective nature toward her children—possibly treat her grandson and Alan Yager equally?

After all, my true intention was to help stand up for Daf Klein.

With his grandmother's full support, the already arrogant Duff Klein became even more arrogant and domineering.

Immediately, he stepped forward and approached Alan Yegel by two paces.

"Waste! Did you hear that? My grandmother told you to show him the evidence—why aren't you acting fast?"

Or are you already ready to kneel before me and apologize?

Even after killing Duff Klein, he couldn't believe that someone like Alan Yegel—a complete dependent on others—could actually decipher the hidden meaning of the painting within a painting.

In response, Alan Yegel muttered something with a hint of resentment.

It's really boring. What if the bet was that you'd kneel and apologize to me after losing? Wouldn't that be way more exciting?

As soon as Alan Yager's words faded, Duff Klein suddenly felt utterly foolish—utterly foolish.

Even though he knew he couldn't argue with him, he still stepped forward to give him a hard time.

It's not foolishness—so what exactly is it?

In the end, he didn't argue back; he merely gave a cold snort.

With his arms crossed in front of him, he stood there obediently, waiting for Alan Yager to appear.

It turned out that Daf Klein had finally calmed down, and Alan Yager no longer pursued him relentlessly.

Instead, he took the fake painting of Zheng Banqiao from Bethel Klein's hands and approached the candle used for Mrs.Klein's birthday celebration.

As Alan Yegel slowly unfurled the scroll, he approached the flickering flames of the red candle.

Even Duff Klein, who had originally decided not to speak further, responded coldly with a mere "huh."

Why did Alan Yager act so suddenly? Did he realize he couldn't continue pretending and decided to burn this painting, leaving no evidence to support his claim?

"Hahahah!"

hearing Duff Klein's words and considering Alan Yegel's current actions, all the Klein family members present chimed in with laughter.

Even Bethel Klein realized her incompetent husband had reached his limit with empty boasts. She simply brought the fake painting to the candle and prepared to burn it.

It was certainly embarrassing to present a fake painting as a gift at my grandmother's banquet.

But Alan Yager, his de facto husband, never considers the appropriate context when boasting.

This was precisely what made Bethel Klein feel it was truly shameful.

Although this person's intentions may have been good—they wanted to defend themselves and save face—

But Belissa Klein could only shake her head helplessly in response to his action.

Alan Yager witnessed Bethel Klein's reaction firsthand. He heard every word of the ridicule and mockery from all her relatives, without exception.

However, he paid no attention to these matters.

Instead, they carefully positioned Zheng Banqiao's fake painting above the candle and moved it back and forth to dry it thoroughly.

The Xuan paper placed on the fake painting began to develop curled edges due to excessive heat exposure.

Alan Yegel frowned, thinking to himself, "The time has come."

At that moment, I saw Alan Yager pull the painting back from above the candle.

Place them evenly on a table and pick up the dining utensils.

With the precision of crafting a masterpiece of artistry, the blade was carefully placed beneath the edge of the Xuan paper scroll.

Scan! Scan! Scan!

At this moment, Alan Yager was completely absorbed in his painting, paying no attention to anything outside.

With a light click, Alan Yager cut open the fake painting of Zheng Banqiao with a knife.

What's even more astonishing is that beneath the fake painting, there's actually another artwork.

Although Alan Yegel merely slightly lifted Zheng Banqiao's counterfeit painting, observant viewers immediately noticed two large characters written in flowing, elegant script beneath it.

"Tang Yin!"

As these two characters came into view, all the relatives present in the main hall of the Klein family's ancestral home gasped in shock.

Then, the true essence of the painting gradually unfolds, with clusters of blooming flowers vividly emerging on the paper.

On the spot, an antique expert from the Klein family burst out laughing.

"This... this is Tang Yin's painting' A Hundred Flowers in Full Bloom'!"

That exclamation fell like a depth charge dropped into the calm depths of the ocean.

The public's discussions about loofah were even more intense than Daph Klein's mockery of Alan Yager.

My God! This is actually a painting by Tang Bohu, the foremost of the four great artists from Barcelona during the Ming Dynasty!

This painting is worth tens of millions... No, even hundreds of millions, there would still be people willing to buy it.

"Hmph! Anyway, Tang Bohu's paintings are far more valuable than Blood Coral! You wouldn't guess it—though the husband Belleth Klein married is a scoundrel, he does have some talent after all!"