Seeing Susan Langley's reaction, huge question marks appeared over everyone's heads.
Only Grandpa understood what was happening. "Hmph," he said cheerfully. "A bunch of clueless fools. Ethan would never lie to me!"
Susan Langley's eyes were as wide as saucers. She stared incredulously at the Peony Painting on her phone screen, then turned to look at the scroll in Grandpa's hands. She had to admit, the two paintings were completely identical.
'How could this be?'
'Did Ethan Grant hire a ghost painter?'
'But what kind of ghost painter could produce a million-dollar piece?'
'Then he must have hired shills to inflate the price. Yes, that must be it!'
Witnessing the scene, everyone else quickly pulled out their phones, logged onto the website, and took a look.
A moment later, a more impulsive family member exclaimed, "Holy crap, it's real!"
It wasn't just the Grant Family members; Shirley Thorne herself stared wide-eyed. 'How did my painting end up on an international auction site?'
To be honest, back at the villa, when Ethan Grant had asked her to prepare a gift for Grandpa as his granddaughter-in-law, she hadn't really thought much of it.
After learning that Grandpa liked peonies and adored painting and calligraphy, she had simply painted a picture for him.
At the time, Ethan Grant had stared at it for a moment after she finished, then simply said, "This will do."
And that was the end of it.
She had assumed the gift-giving process would be very private, never imagining she'd be put on trial the moment she walked into the villa!
'Wasn't this just putting a "newbie" like me, who was completely unprepared, on the spot?'
'Now it seems the big-shot billionaire saw my talent from the start. A public humiliation was never in the cards!'
'He was helping me make a name for myself!'
Shirley Thorne was deeply touched.
She quietly sidled up to Ethan Grant, rose onto her tiptoes to reach his ear, and said, "Thank you, Mr. Grant."
The tip of Shirley Thorne's delicate nose accidentally brushed against the shell of Ethan Grant's ear. Her lips, parted slightly, exhaled a warm breath, and her smile was incredibly sweet.
Ethan Grant stiffened. He turned slightly to the side and said, "Mm."
Shirley Thorne's smile was as radiant as a flower. 'Even though the big-shot billionaire only replied with a single "Mm," it didn't stop me from bursting with joy. This "Mm" shouldn't be underestimated—it's a sign of my patron's trust!'
Just as she was reveling in her happiness, she suddenly heard a shrill voice.
"This is impossible!"
Shirley Thorne followed the sound and saw Susan Langley shouting hysterically.
"You must have hired people to inflate the price!" Susan Langley snarled, pointing an accusing finger at Ethan Grant.
Shirley Thorne chuckled. "And your proof?"
Susan Langley retorted self-righteously, "What proof do I need? How could someone from a washed-up family like you possibly create such a masterful painting? The price on the auction site must have been inflated. People these days just jump on the bandwagon; what do they know about art!"
Ethan Grant ignored her and continued speaking to Grandpa. "Grandpa, look. There are a lot of comments below. Your granddaughter-in-law's painting is in high demand."
Upon hearing this, Grandpa looked where Ethan Grant was pointing and instinctively read aloud, "Susan Langley, bidding an extra five hundred thousand. I beg the master to part with it!"
Registered users on the auction site had to use their real names. This Susan Langley was, naturally, none other than the woman standing right there.
Shirley Thorne shot a mocking look at Susan Langley, who was on the verge of a breakdown. "Auntie, about this... are you the one who understands art, or the one who doesn't?"
"I..."
Susan Langley was speechless. She suddenly recalled that when she had been helping Josephine Grant contact a Painter, she had indeed come across a piece she was exceptionally pleased with. At the time, Ethan Grant had only just listed the painting, and the price hadn't been so high, so she hadn't made the connection between the two works.
This was the very definition of public humiliation.
In the main hall, the guests wanted to laugh but didn't dare, their faces flushing red from the effort of holding it in. They secretly congratulated themselves for not jumping on the bandwagon with their taunts earlier, otherwise they'd be the ones feeling awkward now.
Susan Langley's face was ashen. She stood frozen in the center of the room, not knowing whether to remain standing or sit down, and cast a pitiful, aggrieved look toward Warren Grant.
Warren Grant and Josephine Grant were livid. They both wanted to skin the stupid woman alive. On second thought, however, it was a good thing she was the one to stick her neck out. Otherwise, he'd be the one on the receiving end of Shirley Thorne's mockery right now.
Grandpa looked at Susan Langley with displeasure. "Susan, you're her elder. Don't be so harsh. Apologize to Shirley."
He might be old, but his mind was sharp. He could clearly see the underlying tensions.
Truthfully, he wasn't fond of having a commoner for a granddaughter-in-law either, but if Ethan chose to marry her, he must have had his reasons.
"Warren..."
Susan Langley's eyes welled with tears as she looked pleadingly at Warren Grant, hoping he would defend her against Grandpa.
Grandpa gave her no such opportunity. "What are you calling him for?" he said, displeased. "Josephine, Warren, all of you—apologize!"