chapter1022

Lydia had a sly, mocking smile on her face. "This painting only got the surface right. Owen's work is on a whole different level."

Mr. Robinson jumped in right away, nodding. "Absolutely. I just got two of Owen's real paintings not long ago. Lydia gave them to me. They're so much more alive than this one."

Chloe didn't buy it for a second. She was sure her painting wasn't a fake. Lydia was obviously just picking a fight. And Glenn clearly thought her gift wasn't as good as Lydia's. That stung.

"Every painting has its own meaning," Chloe shot back. "If you think what I gave you isn't as good as Lydia's, you can just say so. Please don't drag this painting through the mud."

Damien was still studying the painting, looking it over and over. He honestly didn't see what the problem was. "Glenn, are you sure you aren't mistaken? I think it looks great."

Mr. Robinson explained patiently, "It is a beautiful painting. It really does look like Owen's style. But if you look close, it just doesn't have the same spark as his originals."

"My painting was authenticated by the auction house," Chloe said, her voice rising. "I've even got the certificate. Are you really going to call it a fake just because Lydia says so?"

Wendy frowned. "If she says it's a fake, what proof does she have?

Janet huffed. "She's just a kid. What does she know about art? She's making this up. Show them the certificate and let's end this."

Lydia looked around calmly. "Are you all so sure auction houses never sell fakes?"

Chloe and the others went quiet. Everyone knew it happened. Some forgeries were so convincing, they fooled even the experts. Just

thinking she might have be

fake made Chloe feel embarrassed. Stiff, she refused to admit it.

She raised her chin and glared at Lydia. "If you're going to say it's a forgery, prove it.

If you can't show real evidence, then this is definitely one of Owen's originals."

Mr. Robinson suddenly turned to Connor. "Connor, I heard from Lydia that you're

close with Owen. Could you reach out to him and see if he can verify this painting?"

Right then, Mr. Robinson didn't care about family politics. Connor was already trying to figure out how to have Aiden check where the painting came from. Still, he was surprised to hear Mr Robinson say he was close with Owen wen was talented and mysterious, but Connor had never even met them. Where did this come from? Did Lydia say that?

Lydia... He glanced at her, piecing things together. Was Lydia actually...

She met his eyes, not even trying to deny it. Connor's eyebrows shot up, then he

broke into a small, amazed smile. This girl. She was full of surprises.

Mr. Robinson saw Connor hesitate and quickly added, If it's not convenient for you, we can just D"

"It's no trouble," Connor said, getting to his feet.

In that moment, Chloe, Janet, and

the rest all turned to look at him.

1.n

They'd noticed him before, quiet but strikingly good-looking, with a composed, elegant vibe. He was always with the Norwood family, so maybe he was related? Jane

couldn't take her eyes ofthim. The second Connor stood up, it felt like he outshone everyone else in the room.