Chapter 4
Ignoring Shirly’s cutting remark, Winifred walked up to Joseph. “Happy birthday, Joseph.” She presented a wrapped gift. “I prepared something special for you.”
Joseph’s face brightened immediately. After approving of her outfit, he now leaned forward expectantly. “Well? I’d like to see it,” he said impatiently.
Shirly sneered openly, her hatred for Winifred on full display. “What could she possibly afford? Probably just some cheap thing she bought with Gregory’s money.”
Winifred turned to her calmly. “You needn’t worry, Mrs. Hoffman. I didn’t spend any of Gregory’s money on this.”
Winifred’s gift became the focal point of every onlooker. Their raised eyebrows and exchanged glances said it all–whatever wasn’t purchased with Gregory’s money surely wasn’t worth their attention.
Winifred gently pulled a scroll from its tube and unrolled it. “Joseph, look–it’s Master Nimbus’s ‘Nature’s Symphony,” she said. “I know you’ve wanted one of her originals for years. Hope you like it.”
The room went completely still for a moment before whispers broke out.
“That’s the lost Nature’s Symphony‘?” a guest gasped. “After Master Nimbus quit painting three years ago, her works became priceless. Even a small piece fetches millions now!”
Joseph had spent his lifetime collecting art, yet Master Nimbus’s original had always eluded him–his greatest collecting regret. “Let me see it,” he said, voice shaking with barely contained excitement.
Winifred handed the scroll to Boris Smith, the butler, who rushed it over to Joseph.
Joseph stood up, his eyes wide. He reached out but stopped just short of touching it, studying every inch instead.
“Incredible,” he murmured, shaking his head. “Even more stunning than I’d pictured. Those brushstrokes–so bold, so precise! And the hidden intricacies… absolutely breathtaking.” He couldn’t contain his admiration.
The painting left everyone speechless–a genuine masterpiece that demanded admiration.
Then Mandy sighed loudly, making people turn toward her.
Shirly was already stewing over how Winifred had acquired the painting when Mandy’s sigh caught her attention. “What’s that about, Mandy?” she asked. “Why the sudden sigh?”
Mandy glanced at Winifred, pretending to hesitate. “I’m not sure I should say
“Just say it,” Shirly cut in, supporting Mandy. “What’s the problem?”
Mandy paused, and then spoke carefully to Winifred. “Don’t be upset, Winifred, but I don’t want Joseph to be fooled. The truth is… this painting is a
fake.”
The room erupted in murmurs.
“A fake? I knew it! As if someone like her could ever get her hands on a genuine one,” someone scoffed.
“She’ll stoop to anything to curry Mr. Joseph Hoffman’s favor,” another remarked with disdain.
“Typical. She’s all show, no substance,” a third said with a sneer. “No respect for the family’s reputation.”
Shirly exploded. She banged her wheelchair armrest and snapped, “Winifred, even if you’re trying to win Joseph over, you can’t pass off a fake painting. No wonder you swore you never spent Gregory’s money. Now take this junk and get out!”
Winifred’s face hardened, but she kept her tone even. “It’s authentic.”
Gregory had heard enough. “That’s enough!” he snapped. “Do you really need to make this worse? Just go home.”
Winifred turned to him at last. His cold stare told her everything–he was ashamed of her. She clenched her jaw. “Why can’t you believe me?”
He shook his head in disgust. “Why should I? It’s a fake.” He’d always known her to be compliant and level–headed. This sudden defiance was completely out of character.
Ignoring him, Winifred faced Mandy. “What makes you say my painting is a fake?”
