Chapter 458

“Halation?”
The phone was on speaker, and while nobody seemed to recognize the man’s voice, his respectful tone was obvious.
“Nash, is the painting I donated to the welfare home still there?” Charlotte spoke up, one hand tucked lazily into her pocket, the other holding her phone.
“Yes, it’s still here!” Nash’s voice sounded a little shaky. “It’s been in the exhibition hall this whole time. Nothing’s happened to it.”
He knew just how valuable that painting was. Halation donated it for the kids, and he wouldn’t dare let anything go wrong.
“Alright,” Charlotte replied, her tone casual and cool as she looked up. “Ms. Carter, if you really think there’s not enough proof, I can have the director bring the painting over right now.”
Melissa’s face went pale, like all the blood had drained out of her. She’d never felt this humiliated before.
“Who says that one’s real, anyway
“That’s enough.” Melissa tried to protest, but Patricia’s voice cut through. With Anne supporting her, she walked over to Charlotte’s side and asked gently, “Lottie, is that Nash from Angel Welfare Home on the line?”
Charlotte nodded.
“That answers that.” Patricia took Charlotte’s hand and gave it a loving squeeze. “I’ve always adored Halation’s artwork. I’ve been collecting it for years.” She glanced around at the others. “I found out about the original at the welfare home by chance. I even talked to Nash about it back then. You donated that painting quietly, never made a big deal out of it.”
“That’s why hardly anyone knows there’s a priceless painting sitting at Angel Welfare Home.”
“If I’m not wrong, you donated it about a year ago, right?” Patricia looked at Charlotte with excitement.
“A year and nine months,” Charlotte replied, offering her a small, knowing smile.
“Yes, that’s it,
it A year and nine
months. I remember now.” Patricia grew more animated, turning to the confused guests. “Can you believe it? Our Lottie is the famous Halation. She’s so talented but never shows off
“I’m completely sure that Lottie is Halation, and the Sunset she brought is the real deal.” Patricia ist looked right at Melissa, whose face was a mask of shock and fear. Her eyes grew cold. As for the other painting… think everyone here knows the truth now.”
“Patricia Melissa’s face kept shifting between red and white, her voice trembling.
“I really did buy that painting. I have no idea why it’s a fake. You have to believe
me.”
Patricia just stared at her, her expression impossible to read.
“Anth, we grew up together. You know I’d never give Patricia a fake painting.” *Grew up together
Charlotte pressed her lips tightly together, her already cold gaze turning positively icy. The air around her seemed to chill.
“Grew up together?” Anthony slid his fingers around Charlotte’s, playing with them absentmindedly, a fainte cool smile on his lips. “Ms Carter can count on one hand how many times we’ve actually spoken Are you making things up?”
Melissa just stood there, frozen, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.
“I don’t know you,” Anthony said, his voice sharp as he glanced down at Charlotte,
who clearly wasn’t in the best mood.
“Right now, I want you to apologize for what you just said about my fiancée.”
Apologize?