The Understated Dragon Lord novel Chapter 39

Chapter 39 Change of Mind 

When Jessica registered to marry Daniel, fulfilling the marriage contract, she felt she had sacrificed too much. Though she had stated she would give Daniel a one–year probation period, in reality, her plan was to appease her grandfather and then promptly have Daniel leave. Now, however, Jessica suddenly found having Daniel as a husband rather entertaining. 

Daniel not only excelled in medicine but also had significant knowledge about antiques. Maybe it was just a stroke of luck that he found the mark on the statue, but Jessica sensed that Daniel was not as simple as he appeared. This might truly be a display of his real abilities. 

Profit margins in the antiquities business are high. Jessica purposefully let Nicholas deceive her at Auctiq because she wanted to explore the antique industry. Despite spending tens of millions, she had not found any opportunity. Her appearance at Auctiq today was intended to be a decision to give up on the antiques trade. She planned to dispose of the three forgeries and never purchase any antiques again. 

Daniel’s performance made her reconsider. If Daniel understood the antique market so well, TMO could definitely make significant inroads there! 

Nicholas pointed to the last of the three items, the Monet painting, and said with a smile, “Daniel, we have one item left. Although the porcelain turned out to be worthless, you still managed to gain one million from me. Therefore, based on the actual transaction price, the first two items are worth a combined total of 81 million. For you to win, the painting’s value must exceed 119 million; otherwise, you lose. Then, Jessica, you must sell the Windows Street property to me at the price from three years ago!” 

“The last painting is worth at least two billion,” Daniel declared, which made Nicholas gape in shock. 

“What did you say? This painting is 100% a fake, a copy done by others, definitely not an original. You really think it’s worth two billion? I understand the painting is a good imitation and could be worth three to four hundred million, but two billion? I don’t think so. 

Nicholas’s professional and objective evaluation was truthful; he wasn’t lying this time. 

“Smiley Nick, I’ll give you a chance to buy it for 1.5 billion. Again, if you don’t buy it now, its value will soon increase to two billion, and you will be begging me to sell it to you. Moreover, if you purchase it now, you won’t have to kneel and apologize to me later. If you’re unwilling, you’ll soon have to pay fifty million more and still have to kneel and apologize, which wouldn’t be very cost–effective.” 

Nicholas burst out laughing again. 

“Daniel, you just tried the same trick on me, do you really think I’ll fall for it again? The most valuable of the three objects was the statue, which you deliberately placed first. The least valuable was the second porcelain artifact, which you smashed as a stunt to showcase your skills once more. 

You set up the stage with the first two items, aiming to con me with this third treasure, the Monst painting, and try to trick me out of 1.5 billion in one go!