Save Myself from Desperation

Joseph rose from the sofa, asking, “Noah, what painting did you receive again?”

Noah quickly motioned for his assistant to come forward.

The assistant carefully held a box and opened the lid, revealing an ancient painting inside.

“Ms. Ramos, sorry for the sudden intrusion.” Noah took the painting from his assistant and approached Ashley. “Our auction house’s eight appraisers couldn’t determine its authenticity. So, we brought it to you for a look.”

Ashley’s grandfather, a former top-tier master in landscape oil painting. created notable works and amassed a collection of renowned artwork Growing up surrounded by paintings, she developed a deep love and profound understanding of oil painting under his guidance.

Upon seeing the painting in Noah's hands, Ashley walked over. It was a masterpiece titled Moon in the Mountains by the artistic genius. Thomas Willis.. The painting exhibited signs of aging, displaying a distinguished patina and visible craquelure, and it was on a linen canvas.

Joseph clicked his tongue and said, “This painting looks old. If it's a real deal by Thomas, it must be worth at least 20 million dollars.”

Noah frowned, “In theory, yes, but our appraisers couldn’t confirm its. authenticity. Ms. Ramos, what do you think?” Ashley stared at it for a while and shook her head. “It’s fake.” “What? Ashley, how did you figure that out so quickly?” Joseph was astonished.

Ashley smiled slightly as she explained, “Although this painting looks old, you can tell it’s deliberately aged by examining the canvas.”

“Deliberately aged?” Joseph was puzzled.

Ashley nodded, pointing at the center of the painting. “The lines of the mountain peaks here don’t align with Thomas’ typical style of depiction. Also, look at the blue here. It should blend slate and azure, but it appears

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lighter than usual, right?”

Mixing slate and azure was basically Thomas’ signature.

Ashley analyzed. “This painting is likely a modern imitation deliberately aged using varnishes or glazes to simulate the effect and give it a slightly yellowed or aged appearance. The imitator did a good job, making it look. authentic.”

Joseph listened in amazement. “Ashley, you’re amazing! How do yo

know all this? | didn’t even realize there was so much expertise involved.”

Noah felt relieved. “Thank you, Ms. Ramos. With your explanation, | now have a clear understanding.” Ashley smiled, “You’re welcome.”NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

Noah expressed a few more courteous words before finally departing with his assistant.

Like a curious child, Joseph circled around Ashley. “Ashley, how do you know so much abo

painting?”

“My grandfather used to paint and taught me a lot.”

“Oh, | see.” Joseph marveled internally, grateful that Ashley was adopted. by her grandparents. Otherwise, growing up in an orphanage would have been quite difficult.

“Ashley, can you paint too?”

“A little.” Ashley didn’t hide it, responding calmly.

Joseph raised his eyebrows. “I don’t believe you.”

His phone suddenly dinged as Joseph talked, and he received a news. notification.

He intended to glance quickly and put the phone away, but the headline caught his eye, freezing his gaze. Ashley noticed his unusual expression and asked, “What's wrong?”

Joseph snorted, extremely annoyed, saying, “Why is there so much fake news these days? There’s no way Valentin could be romantically involved with other women!”

Ashley was puzzled and thought, ‘What? Valentin? Romantically involved

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with other women?”

“Ashley, don’t you dare believe it! Valentin is pure and chaste. He has been preserving himself for you! There’s absolutely no way he would be involved with other women!”

“Preserving himself?” Ashley's lips twitched. “What a mess of words.” “Oh, the choice of words isn’t the point! The point is the meaning | want. to convey, you understand, right!” “Of course, | understand.” Ashley’s bright eyes slightly lifted. “I naturally believe Valentin.”

Upon hearing Ashley’s words, Joseph instantly felt relieved. Still, he couldn’t help but be curious. “Ashley, you trust Valentin that much?”

“Nonsense. Who would | trust if | don’t trust him?” Ashley spoke with an air of certainty. Joseph was speechless.

He was initially concerned that these messy rumors might affect the relationship between Ashley and Valentin. But it did not affect them, and Joseph was even showered with their affection for each other.

“Show me. What exactly is this rumor?” Ashley couldn’t help but be curious about the content of this gossip.