Chapter 70 - 70: It Can’t Be Wrong

"This doesn't feel very legit," Sophia said, half to herself and half out loud.

The middle-aged man selling porcelain was upset, "It's part of my family history, I'm only selling it like this because I have debts to pay. Don't ruin my one chance to get my life on track with your muttering about 'legit." You know nothing about porcelain. This lady knows it. She can see it's real."

The old lady nodded, "I know it. This is an antique pot. The seal character on it, and the color, are all very good. It can't be wrong. Ten thousand dollars is quite cheap. When I sell it to someone else, I can get my husband treated at a better hospital."

Sophia frowned and said to that middle-aged man, "Did you hear that? This money is needed to cure his illness. It would be too awful of you to scam them, and now you know what that money is needed for. "

A trace of hesitation flashed through the man's eyes but soon disappeared. He replied forcefully, "It is authentic! This lady knows! Why are you suggesting I'm a liar and a scammer? Do you know anything about antiques?"

Sophia said quietly, "I don't know antiques, but I know there's no such thing as easy money. If it were genuine, you would have sold it yourself, so you be here making up such a lie."

The tourists crowded around, agreeing with Sophia's words, urging the old lady not to be too greedy and to beware being cheated.

The old lady was in a hurry, "I just want to make some money and get a better hospital for my husband. I know antique identification. I won't be fooled! It must be the real thing! I'm sure of it."

She was very stubborn, and she didn't want to listen to anyone trying to help her. The old lady said she would go to get the money for the man.

Sophia did not speak for a long time. Suddenly, she said, "It seems I can't change your mind. But if it does turn out to be fake, will you have any money left for your husband's treatment?"

The old lady hesitated for a moment.

Ten thousand dollars, that was all the money she had!

Though she believed that this antique was authentic, she couldn't help contemplating the awful reality they would face if it did turn out to be a fake? What if she couldn't get the money… what would her husband do?

But the temptation was so great. She often watched antique appraisal shows and knew that if the porcelain was true, the price was far, far more than she would be paying now.

She hesitated.

"People who know nothing about antiques are not easy." Pearson walked over, "Those who know a little but think they know a lot, they are very confident with themselves. Others very easily fool them."

He went up to the middle-aged man, reached for the porcelain, touched it, and within a second, pronounced, "It's a fake!"

Sophia was surprised that Pearson knew antiques. Was this another skill?

She had never heard him mention that before.

It seemed Pearson was a one-person counterfeit crackdown band today.

"What are you talking about?" The man growled.

"I can't tell you the reason, but I know it's fake. Madam, would you like to believe me?" Pearson said.

The old lady hesitated for a while, looking into Pearson's serious, certain eyes and finally said, "Fine. I won't buy it! I believe you, young man!"

Just then, the police arrived. It turned out that one of the group had called the police. Seeing the situation had gone pear-shaped, the middle-aged man tried to run away and was caught by a police officer.

"You trying to fool some more tourists?" The policeman frowned, "You cheat tourists every day here. One of these days, you'll go to jail!"

The man tried to run again. Only to be caught again and firmly and unceremoniously dumped into a police car.

The old lady hurriedly thanked Albert and Sophia, "Thank you. I almost got fooled! You are much more sensible and knowledgeable than I. You could tell at one touch that it was a fake. I've been studying antique identification for so long, but I'm not so good at actually feeling it."

Pearson smiled, "I really don't know how to identify antiques. Actually, it was just a hunch!"

He couldn't tell her that there was a genuine Ming Dynasty pot in his living room at home. He had just touched that pot and knew it felt different, and that was how he knew it was a fake.

There was one day left of their tour, and the group continued without Albert Pearson and Ryan. When they assembled around the bus, ready for departure, Sophia saw Pearson's car parked next door.

Ryan Sampson got out of the car, "Miss Green. Can I discuss something with you?"

"What's the matter?" Sophia asked.

"I'm getting a bit carsick," Sampson laughed, "so I wondered if I could take your seat on the bus, and you could ride in the car?"

Sophia was confused, "Won't you still get carsick on the bus as well? I didn't think it literally meant just cars?"

"The bus is more spacious." Sampson explained, "it'll be much better."

Sophia didn't quite understand his situation but was happy to agree anyway when Barry came over suddenly and said, "I can change seat with you. I'd actually prefer to take the car."

Ryan didn't know what to say.

Suddenly, several of the group raised their hands, "I'd like to take the car, too!"

Ryan had not planned for this.

He has just wanted a chance for his boss to spend time with Sophia. Why were they all making it so difficult?

Suddenly, Albert Pearson got out of the car and said, "You all take the car. I want to try the bus."

Sophia was surprised, "Try?"

Albert realized that he had said something wrong and hurriedly said, "I mean, this bus looks nice."

"Whatever you like," Sophia said.