Chapter 33

An authentic painting?

When Alice heard the news, her face flushed red, and her eyes were filled with disbelief.

She had heard it loud and clear just now. If it was an authentic painting, the painting could be sold for 100 million dollars.

Then, Alice looked at the director who was beside her.

The director did not seem surprised at all. Instead, he had a smirk on his face as if he had known this would happen.

“Script?”

At this moment, Alice finally understood what was going on.

Everything was part of the program team’s script. The painting was fake, the professionals were fakes, and the comment in the live broadcast room was fake.

When these all came together, the painting became real.

“Honey, you should’ve told me earlier. I was so nervous.” Alice approached Thomson and whispered to him.

Thinking that Alice had finally realized that he did not lie to her, Thomson said to her calmly, “It’s just a painting. I can confidently say that most of the famous paintings in the world today are fake…”

“Because I’ve bought all the authentic paintings, and they are all in my warehouse.”

The former Thomson had no more pursuits after he became the richest man in the world. Hence, for some time, he liked collecting paintings on a whim.

As long as it was something that Thomson took a fancy to, the owner of the painting would give it up for fear of offending Thomson.

That was why all the paintings ended up occupying a corner of his warehouse. What was circulating on the market were basically counterfeits that were promoted as authentic ones.

“Alright, it’s all real. Now I can relax.” Seeing that Thomson was going crazy again, Alice gave him a perfunctory reply.

However, Alice was certain of one thing — everything was arranged by the program team.

It was a gimmick to get the audience’s attention.

…

While the professionals were studying the painting, the host took advantage of the situation and walked up to Thomson.

“Mr. Thomson, may I ask where you obtained this ‘The Last Apocalypse’?”

Facing the camera, Thomson was very calm. “It was a gift from the Rothschilds.”

“What?”

The host was stunned.

The Rothschild Family? From abroad?

The audience in the live broadcast room burst into laughter.

“D*mn, this script is too much. The director did not think about it at all.”

“The Rothschild family is an old family that has been around for generations. Rumor has it that they’re as rich as a country.”

“Thomson is not implying that he’s friends with the head of the Rothschild family, is he?”

“Hahahahaha, this year’s contestants are really daring. Anything can come out of their mouths.”

“I must say I’m impressed. The actor didn’t even blink when he said that. I almost believed him.”

No one believed Thomson.

However, one would think that if Gates was invited, then this must somewhat be true. After all, the Rothschilds was a mysterious family.

The host gave up on interviewing Thomson. In the host’s opinion, Thomson was too good at bragging.

In the meantime, the live broadcast room was in an uproar.

It was Jiang Muyun.

“Host, please ask if they are selling this painting.” Jiang Muyun’s comment was pinned at the top.

When the staff members saw it, they told the host, who immediately approached Alice.

“Miss Alice, someone is willing to spend 100 million to buy this painting. I wonder if you and your husband are willing to sell it?” the host asked.

When Alice heard this, she fell silent for a moment.

No one had told her about this script before! So how should she continue the act?

100 million to buy this painting? Were they joking around?

It was definitely fake!

This was the show’s trick!

“Ahem.” Alice smiled awkwardly before she said, “I’m sorry. My husband and I both like this painting, so we won’t consider selling it for the time being.”

Selling it?

Was that not cheating people of their money?

Moreover, when she realized that everything was a script, Alice understood that she had to act like she was rich and had a high standard of living.

Only then would she be able to make it to the fourth round and receive a bigger prize money.

…

“Since he’s not selling it for 100 million, I don’t think he’s an idiot.”

“Hahahaha, isn’t this how a trick works? How can you sell a fake painting?”

“How much money did Jiang Muyun receive to act as a support for this show?”

“This program team is really detailed. They’ve gotten so many actors to make it all seem real.”

A painting worth 100 million was just casually hanging there. Nobody would believe it, let alone the audience who were watching the live broadcast.

In New York, the shop assistant, Little Nan, said cautiously to Jiang Muyun beside him, “Boss… they seem to think that you were hired to act as a support.”

Support?

Jiang Muyun flew into a fit of rage when he heard this. “I’m not wrong. This is an authentic painting. Please help me to offer them a price. I’m willing to pay 200 million to buy it, so ask them if they’ll agree.”

Jiang Muyun knew full well that The Last Doomsday painting was worth at least 500 million.

This was because there were many legends and stories in this painting.

“Boss, there’s no need. If this goes on, you might really become a supporting actor for the program team.”

Little Nan’s fingers were trembling. 200 million dollars? He had never seen so much money in his life.

“Cut the crap. I must get this painting today,” Jiang Muyun said confidently.

Little Nan’s hands were trembling as he sent out Jiang Muyun’s message.

The live broadcast room lost it.

“D*mn, 200 million? Has this old man gone crazy?”

“I’m afraid he’ll be on the trending searches tomorrow. To bid a painting for 200 million is even more profitable than robbing a bank.”

“The program team has gone too far. They’re willing to risk everything for a gimmick.”

“This is all fake. Who would believe this?”

“I’ll bid one billion! If it’s not enough, I’ll raise it again. Hang on, forget I said that.”

A live broadcast room had suddenly turned into an auction room.