The Killer Queen (Noella Briony) novel Chapter 318

Horatio kept a straight face, the picture of solemnity. "I never lie, and as it happens, the genuine items are with me."

The crowd was stunned!

Horatio blinked innocently at Larson. "I'm just as baffled as you are, Larson. How come you’re selling things I happen to have? Could it be... you've had your eye on my collection?"

With that, lightbulbs went off over everyone's heads.

Of course! Horatio, known for his integrity, wouldn't lie. He's the revered abbot of Dragon Monastery, after all!

Elara's mouth twitched. "Is Horatio... spouting nonsense?"

Noella shrugged. "He always believes as long as everyone thinks he's telling the truth, then it must be so. 'It's the heart that matters in practice, not just the morals,' he always says. 'Be lenient with yourself but strict with others.' That's his mantra."

"Lesson learned. Horatio is indeed a life coach!" Elara was in awe of Horatio's philosophy.

Larson felt like he was living in a twilight zone! "Horatio, what's this all about?"

Horatio chanted a brief prayer. "I'm just as puzzled as you are, my friend. Ms. Schnabel invited me over for an appraisal, but it seems there's no need now. They're all fakes. I was expecting something worthwhile with such a grand setup. Did you believe they were genuine treasures? That would be rather naive."

Every word from Horatio was like a dagger to Larson.

The audience was bewildered! They weren't here to buy fakes!

Beckett scoffed. "Larson, that's quite the feat, gathering us all for this."

Lucian added, "Told you to sell that bracelet of yours. Could've made some money instead of me exposing all your fakes."

Palmer spoke up, "I believe, selling forgeries at auction requires compensation at half the sale price, right?"

Larson's fingers trembled. "Since when was that a rule?"

Palmer explained nonchalantly, "Just now. Noella suggested it, and I thought it was an excellent idea. Mr. Schnabel and I decided to implement it immediately. Any objections?"

The savvy crowd, realizing Larson's goods were bogus, were visibly outraged!

"Since Mr. Pollack and Mr. Schnabel have spoken, we have no objections!"

"That’s right. It's about time the auction industry was cleaned up."

Lucian, with a smirk, said, "The Richardson family backs this too. Everyone knows our business is in this line. We can't afford to waste time on fakes."

With Lucian and Palmer leading the charge, and the Schnabel family in full support, everyone nodded in agreement, glaring at Larson.

"Pay up!"

Larson, seeing Palmer's smug smile, was filled with despair. He now realized why Palmer had been so generous with his bids earlier. It was all a setup!

Just compensating Palmer would bankrupt Larson. Not to mention, Noella had bid on several items.

Larson could already see his finances draining into the Pollack and Schnabel families' coffers!

Were this couple devils in disguise, conspiring to swindle his wealth? Was this even fair?