The Understated Dragon Lord

Chapter 430: Arch-Enemies Beauty's attire clearly spoke of wealth. Sensing the opportunity to make a hefty profit from a well-off client, Leo eagerly boasted about his collection, hoping to land a lucrative sale. After all, in the antique business, one sale could accrue enough profit for three whole years.

"My grandfather's birthday is coming up next week, and I want to get him a gift. He's fond of calligraphy and paintings. Do you have any masterpieces here?" Beauty inquired.

"Masterpieces, you say? Indeed, I have something. There's an original Piet Mondrian, 'Gray Tree,' right here. Letget it for you," Leo offered, unlocking his safe and spreading out the painting on the table.

The painting appeared authentic in every brushstroke, structure, and detail, as if done by Mondrian himself. Beauty inspected it closely, unable to discern its true origins. Not being knowledgeable about antiques and artworks left her genuinely impressed by the painting's quality, but whether it was a Mondrian original was beyond her.

At that moment, Smart walked in, not alone, but accompanied by Xavier Reed, the president of the USA Antique Association and the nation's leading appraiser.

Caught sight of Beauty, Smart immediately engaged cheerfully, "Beauty! Long tno see! What brings you here?" "What a surprise! Smart, out of all places, we bump into each other in an antique shop," Beauty said, matching his enthusiasm.

Given their knowledge of each other's intents with the Matthews, their encounter felt less like coincidence and more like crossing paths with an arch-nemesis.

Then Smart noticed Daniel and asked with a confused expression, "What are you doing with this country boy?" "He's Jessica's assistant. I needed a driver for my errands in New York, so I borrowed him for the day," Beauty explained, insinuating something less significant about Daniel's role.

Smart felt a spark of joy at her words. He had always doubted that Jessica could seriously marry a country boy. Not when she was not only a scion of New York's illustrious Matthews family but also their only granddaughter. For the sake of preserving face alone, Smart reasoned, the Matthews wouldn't marry her off to a nobody. Smart had, of course, investigated Daniel's background, finding he was indeed just a country boy from the mountains, without connections or family in New York City.

Now confident in his understanding, Smart turned to Daniel with a stone-cold reminder, "Country boy, remember the unsettled score from the other night?" "Sure do!" Daniel replied, his smile not reaching his eyes. "That moron got the beating of a lifetime, didn't get enough? Want another thrashing so you can go tooth-hunting again?" "Country boy, don't get cocky! Don't think just because you have a few fighting tricks up your sleeve you can insultlike that! That night was a surprise, but just you wait till I'm prepared. I'll make you crawl and beg for mercy!" After those harsh words, Smart's tone took an unexpected turn.

"Country boy, I'll give you one last chance. This is it. Miss it, and you're done for. You're going to end up so sorry you'll wish you were dead!" Chapter 430: Arch-Enemies Beauty's attire clearly spoke of wealth. Sensing the opportunity to make a hefty profit from a well-off client, Leo eagerly boasted about his collection, hoping to land a lucrative sale. After all, in the antique business, one sale could accrue enough profit for three whole years.

"My grandfather's birthday is coming up next week, and I want to get him a gift. He's fond of calligraphy and paintings. Do you have any masterpieces here?" Beauty inquired.

"Masterpieces, you say? Indeed, I have something. There's an original Piet Mondrian, 'Gray Tree,' right here. Letget it for you," Leo offered, unlocking his safe and spreading out the painting on the table.

The painting appeared authentic in every brushstroke, structure, and detail, as if done by Mondrian himself. Beauty inspected it closely, unable to discern its true origins. Not being knowledgeable about antiques and artworks left her genuinely impressed by the painting's quality, but whether it was a Mondrian original was beyond her.

At that moment, Smart walked in, not alone, but accompanied by Xavier Reed, the president of the USA Antique Association and the nation's leading appraiser.

Caught sight of Beauty, Smart immediately engaged cheerfully, "Beauty! Long tno see! What brings you here?" "What a surprise! Smart, out of all places, we bump into each other in an antique shop," Beauty said, matching his enthusiasm.

Given their knowledge of each other's intents with the Matthews, their encounter felt less like coincidence and more like crossing paths with an arch-nemesis.

Then Smart noticed Daniel and asked with a confused expression, "What are you doing with this country boy?"

"He's Jessica's assistant. I needed a davew driver for my errands in New York, so I borrowed him for the day, Beauty explained, insinuating something less significant about Daniel's role.

Smart felt a spark of joy at her words. He had always doubted that Jessica could seriously marry a country boy. Not when she was not only a scion of New York's illustrious Matthews family but also their only granddaughter. For the sake of preserving face alone, Smart reasoned, the Matthews wouldn't marry her off to a nobody. Smart had, of course, investigated Daniel's background, finding he was indeed just a country boy from the mountains, without connections or family in New York City.

Now confident in his understanding, Smart turned to Daniel with a stone-cold reminder, "Country boy, remember the unsettled score from the other night?" "Sure do!" Daniel replied, his smile not reaching his eyes. "That moron got the beating of a lifetime, didn't get enough? Want another thrashing so you can go tooth-hunting again?"

"Country boy, don't get cocky! Don't think just because you have a few fighting tricks up your sleeve you can insultlike that! That night was a surprise, but just you wait till I'm prepared. I'll make you crawl and beg for mercy!" After those harsh words, Smart's tone took an unexpected turn.

"Country boy, I'll give you one last chance. This is it. Miss it, and you're done for. You're going to end up so sorry you'll wish you were dead!"