Dangerous Aesthetics

Chapter 9

"Because I... fell in love with you."

David was stunned for a moment, and almost spit out a sip of champagne. He had to lower his head and cough vigorously, while the women beside him slapped him on the back in a hurry.

But Neo didn't stop and continued to babble: "When I first saw your picture on the computer screen, I was attracted by your charming golden brown hair and narcissistic eyes. Power. When I saw your 'glorious resume', you can seduce women who stand naked in front of me and can't make my little brother stand up. I admire you. And your use The taste of a white shirt paired with a silver-gray suit is really unorthodox and artistic..."

David gritted his teeth, he understood that Neo was playing tricks on him.

Maintaining his demeanor, David apologized to the women one by one, just as the organizer of the banquet also informed everyone that the most important moment had come, which was the auction.

There are quite a few works by well-known modern painters in this auction, which will increase in value as time goes by.And the highlight is Oliwen?Kane's latest work, Charm, is also the grand finale of this auction.

When the auction of the first work started, Horton walked into the venue.

Like David, Horton and David did not raise prices for all the works before "Charm". Until the end of the auction, "Charm" debuted. The starting price was 200 million US dollars, and it was conservatively estimated that the transaction price would exceed 600 million.

David twitched the corner of his mouth, he really hates Olivan?Kane, but has to say he appreciates his talent.

The auction has started.

The asking price increased from 3 million to 200 million within 600 minutes. The host's face showed an expression of excitement, and the focus of the entire venue was on the painting.

"Is there any higher price?" The host raised his small hammer and looked around.

David smiled. If his guess was correct, Horton, who had been silent all this time, might be about to make a move.

"700."

Everyone in the audience looked at Horton, who also had a smug expression on his face, and the guy who bid 800 million showed a regretful expression.

"Is there a higher price?"

David knew that Horton's shot meant that he should also make a shot, "710 million."

After shouting loudly, the focus shifted from Holden to David, and everyone's eyes were wondering who this young man was and how he could afford such a high price.

Horton didn't show any extra expressions, and stretched out his hand, "720 million."

Several women present looked at David, and David smiled back at them, then raised his hand and said, "730 million."

For the first time, David felt so good, as if he had really become a rich man in the upper class.He can call the price whatever he wants, but it's Oliwen anyway?Kane's.

Horton frowned, but still raised his hand and called for 740 million.

David called out 750 million with a look of indifference.

Holden's face was a little ugly, and he directly raised his hand to ask for 780 million.

The entire auction seemed to be a battle between David and Holden, but it was obvious that David was more popular. Not to mention his handsome appearance, the aura of spending money like water made the ladies and ladies present become curious about him. Hundred-fold increase.

"800 million." David raised his hand, and Holden's face not far away became very red. David wondered if he had high blood pressure as he got older.

“800万！还有人比800万更高吗？800万一次！800万两次！800万三次！”主持人伸手向戴维示意，“这副《风韵》将属于戴维？霍夫兰先生！”

There was applause in the venue, and David greeted the people around him gracefully.The host invited him to take a photo with "Feng Yun". He walked onto the stage, paused in front of the painting, squinted his eyes for a long time, and then whispered something in the host's ear.

The host's face changed, and he explained to David very seriously, looking at the mouth shape as if to say "this is impossible".

David raised his hand, and the notary on the side also stepped forward.

For a moment, everyone was wondering what happened.

David took out a pen from his pocket, and the organizer apologized to the guests present and then turned off the lights in the venue.

Press the switch on the pen, the red light shines on the painting, David explained to the notary.

"If it was Olivan Kane's habit, he would sign his name on the pencil sketches, but looking at the whole painting, he couldn't find his name. Also, in order to avoid impurities and make the painting easier to preserve , Olivan Kane is used to diluting paint with pure water, but judging from the spectral color of the paint on the painting, it contains chlorine. We all know that tap water contains this element.” David will The spectrum pen was put away, signaling the host to turn on the light, "So I think this painting is a fake."

Horton, who was closest to the booth, heard David's words perfectly. He showed a mocking expression, and his voice was so loud that everyone present could hear: "I said young man, you can't afford 800 million yuan. , so slander this painting as a fake."

There was no anger on David's face, because he knew that the painting was a fake long before he came, "Mr. Horton, I'm David from the National Association of Art Appraisers? The client I represent is responsible, and if there is any doubt about the painting, I must stop the payment."

Horton was stunned for a moment, and he could tell from his expression that he was surprised that this young man turned out to be an expert in art.

Now that there is an objection to the most valuable painting in the audience, the host suggested that two appraisers who worked for this charity auction be invited to appraise it.

As a result, as David said, although this painting tried to imitate Olivan?Kane’s composition style and coloring, but the strokes are different from the original author’s, plus the two doubts raised by David, there is a 50.00% possibility that this painting is a fake, most likely during the delivery process It was swapped, and the sponsor is now suspending the auction of this painting, and will wait until it is verified with the original author before processing.

The auction came to an end in this big news.

When David found his car in the parking lot, Holden stopped him.

"Mr. Horton, is there anything I can do to help you?" David knew that the old guy had already taken the bait, so he deliberately put on an appearance of a professional.

"You really surprised me today, Mr. Hovland. You mentioned that you are a member of the National Art Connoisseurs Association, and I often collect art. I think we should have a good chat. I wonder if it is possible to do it. A friend? I would like to treat you to dinner, and I hope you will appreciate it."

Neo's voice rang in his ears, "Okay boy, you have successfully attracted his attention!"

Just when David was about to agree to Horton's invitation, Olivan's voice sounded: "Don't agree to him so easily, and hang his appetite."

Showing an apologetic smile to Horton, David took out a notepad from his pocket, "Well, I'm really sorry, I have several important clients this week, and I have made appointments for art appraisal and some agency business..."

"Then can I give you a business card? So that I can find you if I need to consult you."

David reached into his pocket and was about to hand out the business card Neo designed for him, when Olivan's voice sounded again: "Tell him that you have run out of business cards, ask him for one."

This time, David really admired Olivan. This guy is not only talented and knowledgeable about artworks, but also knows how to grasp the psychology of others.If David gave Holden his business card, it would be Holden who would control the time and David could only wait.Conversely, if Horton gave David his business card, then David would decide when and where to meet.

"I'm really sorry, Mr. Horton. I've run out of business cards. Why don't you give me your business card? I'll call you as soon as I finish these matters." David let himself laugh Be gentle and polite, but at the same time have a sense of distance.

Horton looked at David, as if he was puzzled by the young man, he still handed out his business card.

David put away his business card, exchanged greetings with Holden, and drove away.

From this point of view, their approach to Holden has been successful.

Back at the villa, David triumphantly opened the door and went in. Unexpectedly, the living room was pitch black, and no one seemed to expect him to come back.

He was sure that Olivan was still awake, because he saw the lights on the third floor when he parked the car, and that guy Neo was a night owl.

Is there any mistake, I have worked very hard today, okay, I have to abandon those beauties around me, and deal with that dead old man...

Very angry, David found the refrigerator and took the yogurt and half a roast chicken inside to his room.

He casually threw his coat on the bed, trying to tear off his tie, but Olivan's double Windsor knot seemed to be very strong. After untiing it for a long time, he still didn't move at all. Some depressed David directly turned on the TV, sat on the bed, and ate something While watching a boring soap opera.

Looking at it, he fell asleep.

It's been a long time since he had a dream, only this time he dreamed of Ruby when they were graduating from high school.

Although David's family background is poor, his handsome appearance still makes him the dream lover of many girls, but Ruby is the only one he likes.

Her father is a rich man in the local area, and he would never allow his daughter to be with a poor boy like David, so for three years, David could only peek at Ruby during class or find some reason to talk to her It's just words.

But on the day of the graduation party, he never dreamed that he could hug her and hand over their first time to each other.He still remembered Ruby's body temperature, her smell, her skin... and that sentence: David, will you remember me?

He knew that his eyes were sour, but he was reluctant to open them.