The Killer Queen (Noella Briony)

After Palmer finished writing these words, he lifted his bidding paddle.

“Six and a half million.”

Whispers filled the room.

Weren't there rumors about bad blood between Larson and Palmer? Or perhaps, in the end, blood was thicker than water within the Pollack family?

Larson forced a smile that looked more like a grimace. Noella's words still echoed in his ears! Seeing Palmer, Larson couldn't help but feel as if he was there to witness the sale of his family's treasures.

According to the unwritten Pollack family code, only a failed son would resort to selling off the family's valuables!

Larson's cheeks burned with humiliation!

Thankfully, Palmer's bid sparked a flurry of others.

“Seven million.”

“Seven million and ten thousand.”

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Larson was hosting the auction all by himself, but the process was all managed by a professional auction team to ensure fairness for all parties involved.

Backstage, a team clad in white gloves and masks stood ready for action!

Alkaid couldn't help but sneer, “This piece actually fetched nine million, huh? Some folks really have more money than sense.”

The painting in question, a masterpiece, was actually a fake – a clever reproduction painted by Ivan himself.

Ivan chuckled. “You just don't get it. It proves they appreciate my art.”

Megrez added, “They never suspected they were bidding on forgeries.”

Who would have thought Larson would dare to auction off nothing but fakes!

Standing on stage, Larson was all smiles. “Next up, we have a masterpiece by the renowned sculptor, Sylvie. An exquisite jade carving reminiscent of the iconic Welcome Pine. I spared no expense to acquire this piece. Let's start the bidding at one million.”

A lifelike jade sculpture was unveiled, its craftsmanship so exquisite it immediately drew bids.

“Two million!”

“Two and a half million!”

...

Noella yawned, unimpressed.

Though a fine piece, it wasn't one of her creations. Imitators were indeed plentiful these days.

Noella smirked as several “masterpieces” were successfully auctioned off.

Lucian was about to bid when Helen stopped him. “Fakes.”

With a lifetime of experience in antiques, her judgment was rarely wrong. At her words, Lucian scrutinized the piece more closely.

Noella raised an eyebrow.

Helen's discernment was impressive indeed!

Noella recognized that she had never carved this jade sculpture herself, so she knew it was fake. However, Helen relied solely on her visual judgment to discern authenticity!

Lucian reluctantly put down his paddle. “How did you know?”

“If you had eyes, you'd see it too. But considering your track record, I'm not surprised you didn't notice.”

Lucian was at a loss for words. He was used to Helen’s sharp tongue by now.

Lucian scoffed. “Don't waste our time with these worthless items. People might start thinking the Pollack family is going under! Larson, don't you have anything of value?”

Lucian, an authority on antiques, challenged the room.

Larson forced a smile. “What exactly are you interested in, sir?”

“That Glassy Type bracelet. Bring it out.”

Larson nearly choked. That bracelet was his trump card! Lucian's demand threw off his rhythm entirely.

“Please, sir, that piece will come later! The other items are also of great quality!”

Lucian scoffed derisively. “Noella, dear, what did your grandfather say before you came?”

Noella chuckled. Marcel hadn’t said a word, but his absence meant Noella had free rein to interpret as she pleased.

“Grandpa said they were all worthless forgeries. Just here for a show.”

The room erupted in shock! Larson was auctioning forgeries?

Palmer joined in with a cold laugh. “Uncle Larson, there’s no need to gather us for a charade.”

A charade? Who had the time for such games?

Today's guests were carefully selected by Larson for their potential business benefits.

Larson fumed. “My items are genuine! Palmer, choose your words carefully!”

As a major shareholder in the Pollack Group, Palmer wielded considerable influence.

Palmer shook his head with a smile, his presence commanding attention as if he owned the room.

“Whether it’s genuine or not, an inspection will tell.”

Larson clenched his teeth. “Let’s inspect them then! If they prove to be genuine, Palmer, you owe me an apology!”

Larson was confident. Palmer was surely trying to undermine him by questioning the authenticity of his collection! What Palmer didn’t know was that he had spent a fortune verifying these items to ensure their authenticity.

Palmer smirked. “Agreed. But if your sales are all forgeries, it’s your reputation on the line, not the Pollack Group’s.”

Under mounting pressure, Larson summoned the professional appraisers to review the already sold antiques.

Watching the team, Palmer's eyebrow twitched, a smile playing on his lips. If he wasn't mistaken, these experts were from Polaris Star,.

Megrez spoke with an air of finality, "They're all counterfeits."

Larson reacted with shock. "What did you just say? How could they possibly be fakes! Is your team even competent? Has someone bribed you to deliberately slander me?"

While speaking, Larson's gaze kept darting towards Palmer, his suspicions clear without words.

Noella simply smiled lightly. "My granddad said, since Larson's been playing pretend and peddling fakes, he'd never own up to it. That's why my family intervened, inviting an expert who's incapable of lying!"

Noella's smile grew more meaningful, and Palmer, standing by her side, mirrored her grin.

Their joyous expressions were like daggers to Larson.

"I'm eager to see this 'expert incapable of lying'. The Schnabel family's monumental lie—do tell."

A figure in modest attire came into view, a priest in a red cassock, his presence calm yet divine, his eyes reflecting a subtle sorrow and benevolence.

Everyone was astounded! This was Horatio, a man they couldn't hope to see without an appointment!

Horatio gave a gentle chuckle, as if blessing the gathering. "God bless! I'm Horatio from the Dragon Monastery. Mr. Larson, I regret to inform you that these items are indeed forgeries. Because, as fate

would have it, the authentic pieces are all with me!"