Chapter 74
As Peter’s son and daughter–in–law, Austin and Evelyn were naturally the first to give the presents. They gave Peter a cane made of rosewood. The color of it was beautiful, and it was worth a fortune.
“Dad. I wish you good health, and I hope all will be well,” Austin and Evelyn blessed Peter in unison.
Peter nodded and said with a smile, “Thank you.”
Then, it was Orlando’s turn. He gave him a coffee set made of emerald. They were all custom–made with the finest emerald and one–of–a–kind.
Next was Cassandra’s gift. It was a painting with simple packaging.
She handed it to William and said, “Grandpa Peter, happy birthday. I wish you lots of happiness.”
Peter took the gift from Cassandra personally. He cherished her gift, and those present could see his affection for her and knew about their relationship. Therefore, those who were unaware would naturally not suspect anything.
Peter looked down and asked in surprise. “Cassie, is this Scott Prior’s painting?”
Scott Prior was a famous painter, and Peter had been a fan of him since his youth.
Cassandra nodded and asked, “Grandpa Peter, do you like it?”
Yes, I do. Your gift really warms my heart, Cassie. I have been looking for this painting for years, and I couldn’t even win it in an auction. You’re the best, Cassie, Peter responded.
Peter spoke with excitement. He expressed his deep affection for Cassandra, which made Austin and Evelyn very happy.
Tm glad you like it, Grandpa Peter.” Cassandra smiled and felt happy inside..
Someone at the scene suggested, “Mr. Peter Quinn, may we have the pleasure to see it?”
“Cassie, what do you think?” Peter asked and looked at Cassandra.
She said, “Grandpa Peter, the painting is already yours. It’s your call
He said, “Okay, let’s enjoy it together.”
As Peter spoke, he stood up and opened the scroll. It was a winter landscape with a very simple scenery. The mountains and rivers were serene under the crystal–clear snow. The lines drawn by the painter were both firm and smooth, making the outline of the images appear particularly clear. Just one glance at it would make one feel as if they were inside the picture.
All those present praised the exquisiteness of the painting and felt very honored to have a chance to appreciate it.
Suddenly. questioning voice sounded in the harmonious atmosphere. “Is this painting a high imitation? Cassandra just came back from the countryside a year ago. How could she know Mr. Prior’s painting? I think she’s just trying to deceive us and make Mr. Peter Quinn happy.”
The person who said this was Benita, the only daughter of the White family in Broburgh. Although she was the daughter of a prominent family, she also had some degree of fame in the entertainment industry.
As her words fell into the air, most of the people present began to find flaws in the painting, quickly pointing out issues in the course of the discussion.
“It really seems to be a high imitation.”
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“Although it’s well–imitated, a fake is a fake”
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“Is Ms. Jackson giving a fake painting to Mr. Peter Quinn? Does the Jackson family know about it?”
Everyone went on.
The murmuring continued to grow.
Rebecca, who was beside Benita, gently pulled her and said calmly. “Benita, don’t say that. Cassandra was probably forced to buy a high–imitation painting because she wanted to give a surprise to Mr. Peter Quinn. She could have been deceived.”
Rebecca was not invited to Peter’s birthday banquet. It was Benita who brought her here as the daughter of the White family.
Benita said in a righteous tone. “Rebecca, you’re too kind. Although she did it with good intentions, she went too far and fooled so many of us. Besides, my grandpa also likes to collect paintings. I can tell the difference at a glance growing up in that environment.”
As the words went out of Benita’s mouth, the majority of the guests already believed Benita.
All of their eyes were fixed on Cassandra, but she was very nonchalant and showed no signs of panic.
Cassandra walked to Peter and said softly. ‘Grandpa Peter, please sit down and rest for a while. You’ll get tired from standing too long.
“Okay.” Peter smiled and nodded. Then, he put the painting away and put it into the scroll with a delighted face.
Someone in the crowd asked. “Mr. Peter Quinn, Ms. Cassandra Jackson sent you a fake painting. Is the Jackson family deliberately trying to disrespect you?”
Peter’s face was covered in coldness, and Frederick and Gabriela also scowled in disapproval. Meanwhile, Orlando glanced at the person with a faint expression.
However, before the Quinn family said anything, Austin started to speak up. “Mr. Peter Quinn, we were complete unaware of the gift Cassandra gave you. S–She didn’t discuss it with us. Don’t worry; I will definitely go back and discipline her
“Cassandra, apologize to Grandpa Peter now!” Austin ordered sternly
Cassandra
ra did not move.
Evelyn also immediately said, “Everyone, don’t get us wrong. Although Cassandra is the daughter of the Jackson family, as you all know, she was brought back a year ago, and she usually keeps to herself and doesn’t get close to the family. Of course, this is not our idea. It’s all her own doing.”
Evelyn renounced Cassandra with a cold face, and Austin felt humiliated.
Before Cassandra responded, Peter said unhappily, “All right, that’s enough. Today is my birthday banquet. No one else has the right to sow discord and talk nonsense here. Even if it’s a high imitation, I still like it and am happy with it.”
Peter’s meaning was clear. As long as it was from Cassandra, he would be happy no matter what it was.
However, Benita’s voice sounded again. “Mr. Peter Quinn, you didn’t care that Cassandra fooled you with a fake. It was you who spoke kindly. But what Cassandra did is so disgusting. She is completely embarrassing the Quinn family. I think we should let her explain it to everyone.”
“Benita, please say no more. Mr. Peter Quinn just wants to cut Cassandra some slack. She is a girl, after all” Rebecca spoke.
Despite Rebecca defending Cassandra with her words, Cassandra was well aware of the intention of their actions.
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Benita clearly made herself appear as an exemplary model of righteousness. She took Rebecca to Peter and said, “Mr. Peter Quinn, Rebecca has prepared a birthday gift for you. Her painting is the actual one from Mr. Prior. She had put in a lot of effort to get this.”
Then, she helped Rebecca take the scroll in her hand and handed it to Peter, but Peter showed no intention of taking it.
Benita stiffened, and Rebecca felt a little embarrassed. The latter said in a soft voice, “Mr. Peter Quinn, happy birthday to you. As long as you like it, all my efforts would be worthwhile. As for Cassandra’s painting, whether it’s genuine or fake, it doesn’t matter as long as you are happy.”
“Heh, are you lecturing me, Ms. Spencer? Peter completely detached himself from Rebecca by calling her by her last name,
Rebecca pursed her lips and looked at Orlando with fear and grievance. “Landy, you know I didn’t mean that. I turned down several endorsements and jobs just to get the painting from Mr. Prior for Mr. Peter Quinn’s birthday.”
Orlando became slightly annoyed, and his brows furrowed lightly. He took the painting from Benita and opened it publicly. The crowd erupted into a collective gasp as the two paintings were identical. Perhaps only the painter themself could tell them apart.
Orlando looked at Peter and said in a gentle voice, “Grandpa, please just accept the gift. You can’t make a girl be humiliated in front of everyone, right?”
Peter still did not look at it or take it. Frederick and Gabriela also fell silent.
Orlando remained composed and said, ‘Grandpa, Rebecca didn’t mean anything else. She just wanted to give you a gift to make you happy. As for Cassandra’s painting, whether it’s genuine or fake, you can keep it if you like. No one would dare to say a word, okay?”
Stunned. Cassandra looked at Orlando in disbelief.
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