The people who had the social standing to be invited by Gene certainly would not care about money.
The way they saw it was that the vase was proven to be a fake, and everyone in the hall knew it.
In that case, this was no longer a question about money, but a question of whether they could afford the embarrassment.
If word got out that one of them bought that fake vase, they would be made a laughing stock. Forget selling it off to someone else—no one would buy it unless they had brain damage.
That, or they would get off on being mocked and a willing clown. Otherwise, no one else would willingly buy that fake vase.
Even Frank was shaking his head in disappointment. "You could use it as a cup to drink from, but its value…"
The vase was now a poisoned chalice no one would touch, as anyone who would willingly do it was basically a sucker.
And since every guest present had a reputation to maintain, they would certainly not buy the fake vase willingly.
Hugh himself understood Frank right then and tried to argue, only to realize in dismay that Frank was right.
Seeing that everyone else was leering at him in contempt, Hugh could not manage a word.
Grabbing the fake vase, he left the stage, ashen-faced.
"Pfft…"
"Ahaha…"
"It's killing me… A present valued at one dollar…"
"Don't laugh. Would you even buy it for a dollar?"
"No way. I don't want to be mocked."
He called him out for bringing a counterfeit, did he? Dennis would show him!
Even as Hugh sneered savagely, he watched as Frank went on stage as he expected after the crowd was done laughing.
"I've come bearing Mr. Pearce two presents," Frank said as he slowly spread the canvas he brought.
It was the painting of a gigantic sandworm by Salvador White, who lived over a hundred years ago. Frank himself appraised it before coming over too—it was genuine.
"Not bad!" Tet nodded in approval after Frank displayed the painting. "It is indeed the work of Salvador White, and I recommend bids to start at 200 million dollars."
"Woah… 200 million dollars?!"
It was another hundred million dollar item, this time presented by the mysterious young man.
Moreover, he had pointed out that Hugh's present was a counterfeit, and now confidently presented his own, so it definitely would not be a mistake, especially with Tet appraising it so closely this time.
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