Chapter 31
Chapter 31
At 9:00 the next day, the collector who had held the Buddha statue for eight years. came as expected.
Melanie was stunned when the collector took out the Buddha statue.
Melanie thought in shock, ‘It, it looks so similar to the real one. It’s hard to tell the difference.
The Buddha statue was the same as the real one in height and shape. Even the jade on which the statue was carved out looked similar to that of the real one.
There was no way to tell the authentic one from the false one with one’s naked eye if they were put together.
Melanie was so familiar with the Buddha statue.
The authentic Buddha statue was placed in her mother’s studio when Melanie was. still a child.
At one point Melanie accidentally spattered red paint on the back of Buddha’s garment.
Although Melanie’s mother hurriedly erased the paint, it still left a trace of red in the wrinkles of the Buddha statue’s cuff. It couldn’t be removed at all.
However, this false Buddha statue was made of excellent materials and carved with great skill.
Even though it was a copy, the quality was excellent.
But Melanie didn’t find any red marks on the cuff of this Buddha statue.
As expected, several experts also agreed that it was a forgery.
The collectors panicked.
“Sir, Rising Star attaches great importance to the source of each collection, ensuring the authenticity and reliability of our collections as much as possible. May I know how you got this Buddha statue?”
It turned out that this forgery was auctioned by the old gentleman eight years ago when he traveled in a foreign country Lanstonc at 2 million dollars.
The auction of the Buddha statue was canceled, but Melanie always felt that the
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false Buddha statue had something to do with Steve.
The false Buddha statue was carved out of jade meticulously, which gave it a high similarity to the real one. Melanie was sure that the carver would not be able to do that after only viewing a few photos of the real one.
The carver must have been observing the real one when he made this false one.
Angie rushed in while Melanie was lost in her thoughts.
“Melanie, hurry up. There’s going to be a show.”
“A show? Anything happened to Vanessa?”
“Yes, you know that Vanessa was hospitalized after she was beaten up by her boyfriend. She is going to be recovered, but she was diagnosed with acute leukemia.”
“What is Steve’s reaction?”
“He went to have a human leukocyte antigens matching immediately, and is still waiting for the results.”
“Okay, ask Jordon to take this chance to check if Vanessa is Steve’s biological daughter. By the way, get a paternity test report.”
“Looks like you are going to carry out your plan. I thought you would continue this game slowly.” Angie was a bit excited.
“The spring auction is coming. It’s better to finish this
game earlier.”
“Don’t worry. It won’t hold you up,” Angie said with a bright smile.
While they were talking, Melanie’s phone suddenly rang.
A strange number showed on the screen.
Melanie was confused as Gary was the only one who knew her new phone number in Zerivia, so she refused to answer the call without hesitation.
But the next second, a text message popped up on the screen.
[Mela–It’s me.]
Melanie was stunned as among all the people she knew in Solustria, only Roderick would address her that way.
06:26 Wed, 13 Mar NKA
Chapter 31
Melanie thought, ‘Why is it Roderick? Does anything happen to Elias?‘
Melanie’s phone rang again when Melanie was about to call Roderick.
Melanie answered the phone immediately.
“What’s wrong with Elias? Is he feeling unwell?”
“Mela– Elias, he…”
Before Roderick could finish, Melanie interrupted him, “Tell Elias that I’ll be right there.”
Angie heard that clearly. “Melanie, is the inflammation troubled Elias again?”
“Probably. I am negligent this time. I didn’t call and ask about his health these days.”
Melanie felt guilty at the thought that Elias was suffering from illness.
Elias had a weak constitution. If he didn’t feel well, his throat would become inflamed easily.
When that happened, Elias could not eat, drink, or even talk.
Melanie and Angie left Rising Star in a hurry and went all the way to the Lambert Manor.
Servants were waiting for Melanie at the gate.
06:26 Wed, 13 Mar
Chapter 32