Chapter 18 A Forgery
Maryanne gazed at his handsome, captivating face, but her mood remained soured.
In that instant, her usually flawless and delicate features were transformed into an icy mask, making anyone think twice before approaching her.
“Esteban, what are you doing?”
Esteban’s slender eyes narrowed with deep suspicion. “Marya, how do you know so much about antiques?”
At the auction, she had immediately recognized the blue and white porcelain as a forgery. His father had remarked that she must possess secrets unknown to others, and a keen eye for detail. His father had even consulted experts, yet none had detected the deception.
But to Esteban, this version of Maryanne was perilous.
A woman who concealed her true nature was, in his eyes, the most dangerous of all.
Having been acquainted with countless beautiful women since the age of eighteen, he considered himself well–versed in the ways of women.
Maryanne offered a cryptic smile, “Guess.”
Esteban watched her breathtaking smile and felt an unsettling chill run through him.
He forced a chuckle, leaning closer, their proximity almost palpable.
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Chapter 18 A Forgery
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He inhaled the clean, fresh aroma that clung to Maryanne, distinct from any other woman. This purity, he realized, was unique to her.
“Marya, you look absolutely stunning when you smile. Tell me quickly, how did you know that blue and white porcelain was a fake?“.
His handsome face, usually so composed, was now etched with
seriousness.
Maryanne’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “I won’t tell you.”
Her voice, light as a whisper, was enchanting and captivating.
“Holy shit…” Esteban murmured, stunned into silence as if frozen in place.
Maryanne frowned and took a small step back, her mind registering Esteban’s oddity.
“Marya, you and Cristofer are divorced. May I pursue you?” Esteban had just experienced a sudden, palpable flutter in his heart.
Maryanne stared, certain Esteban had lost his mind. She retorted with mocking nonchalance, “I seem to recall you once called me a ‘stupid, clumsy beauty‘ and declared you were interested in Latoya. That was only a few days ago, and yet, Mr. Hurley, you’ve had a change of heart?”
Esteban blinked, momentarily stunned. He thought, “Yes, what exactly was I thinking?”
He preferred women like Latoya–gentle, intelligent, and socially adept.
Maryanne, while undeniably beautiful, was like a rose with thorns, prickly and challenging.
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Chapter 18 A Forgery
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He quickly retreated a step.
Maryanne got into the car with a cold expression on her face.
Suddenly, a hand landed firmly on his shoulder.
A pleasant female voice cut through the air.
“Hey! Did you just call Ms. Nelson a ‘stupid, clumsy beauty“?”
Esteban turned. Facing him was a woman whose striking, almost icy beauty seemed to emanate from her very core. His eyes widened in surprise. “So beautiful. Miss, my name is Esteban Hurley. I think we should get to know each other.”
Maggie saw the flicker of astonishment in his eyes and, without hesitation, delivered a swift kick to his thigh.
“Get to know each other? You don’t deserve the privilege!”
“Ugh…” Esteban yelped, doubling over, clutching his leg as searing pain shot through him. He let out a pathetic whimper, unable to contain his agony.
“Ah, look at you, whining over such a little pain. And you had the nerve to call Ms. Nelson a ‘stupid, clumsy beauty‘? Well, you’re nothing but a stupid and clumsy man.
“Furthermore, your IQ must be in the negative zone. I hope you find a path straight to the center of the Earth and stay down there, so you don’t come out to disgust anyone else.”
With that final, scathing remark, Maggie slid into her car and sped
away.
Esteban was so furious that, for a moment, he forgot about the throbbing pain in his leg. He stared, dumbfounded, after the
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Chapter 18 A Forgery
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disappearing luxury car. Why were those women’s words so cutting?
He cursed himself for not having a retort ready, for handling the situation so poorly.
“What are you doing here on the ground?” Cristofer asked as he looked down at Esteban.
Esteban, who had just declared his intention to pursue Maryanne!
The combination of physical pain and boiling anger was almost overwhelming. Esteban forced himself to straighten up, his handsome face flushed a deep red with rage. “That woman hit me incredibly hard!”
The agony in his leg felt like a million ants were simultaneously biting and gnawing at him.
He felt certain he was permanently injured.
This pain, coupled with the memory of the blue and white porcelain, pushed him further towards a frenzy. “Cristofer, that blue and white porcelain vase was definitely a fake! Do you have any idea how much money we just lost?”
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