Never Looking Back: The Heart Wants What It Wants - Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Upon hearing Gracie's instruction, Claiborn felt a shudder run through him; his hands trembled and his knees almost gave out. The mere sound of Gracie's voice sent a wave of anxiety crashing over him, haunted by the thought that she could damage the reputation he'd so carefully built. With a deep breath, Claiborn redirected his focus to the Red Rose painting. He began by inspecting the canvas.

"The texture is smooth and distinct, quite different from the coarse fabric typically used in counterfeit paintings." He paused briefly and added, "It's known that Dino extracted pigments from various plants. These organic colors are not only vivid and enduring but also very hard for counterfeiters to duplicate. The color depth in this Red Rose, with its vibrant hues and subtle light play, is particularly difficult to achieve with artificial materials." Claiborn then moved in for a closer look at the brushwork. "These strokes are intricate and layered, consistent with Dino's unique style.

I'm confident this is a genuine piece from Dino." Lorenzo exhaled a sigh of relief upon hearing Claiborn's thorough assessment. He had invested four hundred million in the painting at the auction; it had to be the real deal. Meanwhile, Floyd, seated in a place of honor, felt confused. Gracie hadn't mentioned this painting at the auction. Was it actually legitimate? And what did that mean for the one in his own collection - was it a fake? Gracie cut through the silence. "Miss Myers, I'm ready to state my condition." Kelsey's heart raced with fear.

Was she about to be terribly embarrassed by Gracie, perhaps made to crawl on the floor? While Kelsey wrestled with her anxiety, Gracie presented her demand. "Break the glass on this painting." Kelsey's eyes shot wide open. "Gracie, are you out of your mind? You want me to damage a masterpiece?" gⱯlnσνs․com is your escape to fiction Gracie calmly swept her hair back, tied it with a band, picked up a hammer she had ready, and handed it to Kelsey.

"You were the one who said, 'a bet is a bet.' Or are you suggesting, Miss Myers, that losing is beyond your means?" Before Kelsey could respond, Lanny spat out, "This is the Hughes family estate. Do you really think we'd allow such madness here? Take Miss Jones to the hospital; she must be out of her mind." Instantly, Lanny's bodyguards stepped forward, prepared to remove Gracie, but at that moment, Waylon interjected. "Since when did the Hughes family come under your command, Lanny?" His statement was straightforward, yet it sent Lanny into panic.