Winner Takes All

Once he spoke, time seemed to stand still in the Hall.

Minister Mable and Director Lansing looked terrified and their foreheads started to perspire. Warnock was domineering and looked at Jack with disdain.

Amber's sight started to blacken and her body began to shiver. Her parents were angry and Jack's first meeting with her parents was ruined! So what will become of her and Jack? Her red lips slowly opened and said, "Jack..."

As soon as she said, Jack smiled and it was like a warm breeze. But a thick sense of despair arose and it became exceedingly depressing.

Mr. Ward gave him the Tang Bohu's 'Voyage of Qiantang' and he was certain that Mr. Ward would not give him a fake artwork to present as a gift. Even if this artwork was supposed to be given to Minister Mable, it could not possibly be fake.

What was depressing was Artist Warnock's attitude. He was so certain with just a look. Even if he was an expert, it was too opinionated! It was Warnock's reckless assessment that caused the surprise meeting with her parents to be ruined!

When Jack heard Amber's voice, Jack smiled and said to her, "Amber, I'm alright. I should take my leave now." With the current situation, if he continued to remain there, it would only make things difficult for Amber. Jack didn't want Amber to be caught in between her parents and him.

After saying, Jack smiled and nodded to them and left.

"Jack..." Amber wanted him to stay.

But Steve held onto her, "Amber, don't you understand?"

"Dad... what do you want me to understand?" Amber's beautiful eyes welled up with tears and she pursed her red lips tightly.

"My niece, perhaps this chap is a talented young man in this city. But he gave a fake artwork during the first meeting with your parents. He wanted to present a valuable gift and didn't care if it was genuine. This meant that he is not a genuine person. This kind of character is unacceptable!"

Warnock continued, "Your father wanted the few of us to come tonight to verify and assess your boyfriend. Your father is right to call us. Now I have done you a favor by exposing this man's true colors!" Steve and Rosie looked at each other and sighed. Based on the Knight family's background, they were not concerned about how rich Jack was. In Steve's opinion, no matter how rich Jack was, Jack couldn't be richer than he was. What they were more concerned about was Jack's personality and if he was genuine to Amber.

That was why Steve was willing to meet him even if Jack was a divorcee. Furthermore, he started to admire Jack for being able to launch the sale of three properties. In fact, he had already decided with his wife that as long as Jack was not a bad character, they would accept their relationship. After all, their daughter liked Jack. But who knew that this was the outcome of such a session!

"Warnock, thanks for helping us tonight!"

Steve expressed his appreciation for Artist Warnock, sighed, and looked sternly towards Amber, "Amber, your dad and mom do not need you to seek any riches. Even if Jack has nothing, our family's wealth is sufficient for you and your descendants to live in a lap of luxury."

"But your dad and mom want you to be happy and marry a good person. Do you think that based on what happened tonight, Jack is a decent person?"

A chill ran down Amber's spine and her beautiful eyes sparkled due to her tears but she remained silent.

Just at this moment.

"Warnock you stubborn ass, you blind scoundrel! You can't even see what's in front of you!" Director Lansing couldn't hold back anymore and scolded Warnock. The sudden eruption took everyone by surprise.

Just as Warnock was about to retaliate, Director Lansing clenched his teeth, placed his hand on Warnock's chest, and shoved him causing Warnock to stagger backward.

"You stubborn ass, we just couldn't talk any sense into you just now!"

"Lansing you rascal, what is the meaning of this? Do you want a fight?" Warnock glared furiously at Director Lansing.

They were good friends for a long time and were champions of their respective fields and certainly had their own temper. Although they were cordial and friendly to each other, if they were to fight, neither will make concessions.

Director Lansing's eyes were bloodshot, and continued angrily, "You are just a stubborn donkey. Do you think that I'm afraid of fighting you? If I lose in a fight, I can treat myself but if you were to lose, you will beg me to treat you!"

"You..." Warnock also became flushed in red from anger.

The atmosphere became tense and thick with confrontation. Steve was startled and wondered what was going on. Why were his friends at loggerheads?

At this moment.

Minister Mable stepped forward and looked at Warnock impatiently, "Warnock, oh Warnock. This time you are the one who had made a mistake! Lansing was right to scold you!"

"Mable, why did you..." Warnock was startled and bewildered. But immediately his eyes were wide open as if he suddenly realized something.

Among them, Mable's character was the most steady, otherwise, he wouldn't rise to such a high status in the government.

"Lansing, Mable, what do you mean?" Steve was anxious and asked. Rosie and Amber also looked with surprise at Minister Mable and Director Lansing.

Director Lansing's character was slightly brasher. He firmly stomped his feet and pointed towards the artwork and demanded, "Examine this drawing closely. If this artwork given by Jack is fake, I'll eat the drawing right in front of you!"

Kaboom!

It was as if Warnock was struck by lightning and was stunned. Why did Minister Mable and Director Lansing defend Jack so rigorously? Unless... unless he really made a mistake?

Warnock grudgingly picked up the 'Voyage of Qiantang' and carefully unveiled it on the table. He even took out a magnifying glass from his pocket and started to inspect the artwork in detail. He certainly inspected the artwork more carefully than before.

It was so silent in the hall that one could hear a pin drop.

Steve and his family were particularly anxious. Minister Mable and Director Lansing were both embarrassed and frustrated.

Clink clank...

Suddenly, Warnock's magnifying glass fell onto the ground.

His eyes were wide open and he looked up in disbelief, "Real... it's genuine... this artwork is really from Tang Yin!"

His voice shook and was full of disbelief. How could the 'Voyage of Qiantang' bought by a mysterious buyer at the auction three years ago end up in the hands of this young man?

Kaboom!

These words roared like rolling thunder into the ears of Steve and his family. Steve and Rosie's expression changed immediately. Amber's tear-soaked eyes suddenly sparkled and she grabbed her parents' arms, "Dad, mom! It's genuine! I already said that Jack would not lie to you!"

Steve and Rosie were conflicted and felt extremely awkward. If the drawing was real, then didn't they wrong Jack just now?

"Er..."

Minister Mable walked to the stunned Steve and said profoundly, "Steve, there are some things we can't say directly but the son-in-law picked by Amber isn't just a talented young man, he is practically a dragon-in-law!"

Minister Mable agonized when he thought about what the head of the Hughes family did for Jack just to bring Madam Hughes into the ancestral hall.

Steve indeed was wealthy but was nowhere close when compared to the Hughes family.

Now just because of the stubbornness of Warnock, he almost drove away this outstanding man. He and Director Lansing had promised Jack not to reveal his identity and could only use these means to resolve the misunderstanding.

Steve was very conflicted, looked around the hall, and was about to speak.

Director Lansing stomped his feet again, clenched his teeth, and said to Warnock, "Warnock, based on our decades of friendship, we're doing this for your own good. Listen to me and go after Jack and apologize to him. If you don't, it will be disastrous for you!"☐☐☐☐☐☐☐