Heartstrings on Fire (Agnes and Jared)
Chapter 552

Chapter 552

He really felt like he was being taken for a fool, and Beatrice's behavior was just too much.

She had the audacity to host a public auction alongside Sotheby's, but how could her tiny auction compare to Sotheby's?

And she even brought in some so-called "experts" to fool him.

Red-faced with anger, Manuel stormed up to Beatrice, "Ms. Beatrice, do you got anything to say for yourself? You promised ten times compensation if it's fake, you can keep your word."

The auction was in total chaos.

"Beatrice went too far. Claiming it's for charity, this is straight-up fraud."

"She promised ten times compensation if it's fake. This painting is worth 20 million, is she ready to pay 200 million?"

"Her greed is just outrageous. A fake painting for 20 million, and claiming it's for charity. Most of the money will probably end up in her own pocket."

"Her family's reputation is going down the drain."

Beatrice felt her head buzzing, she didn't expect this turn of events.

Agnes' appearance was already throwing her off, and now she was in deep water.

Laura had only stepped out for a moment, and this mess happened.

Laura quickly took the stage, "Everybody, please calm down. There's got to be a misunderstanding. We bought this painting at a high price, we're victims here too. But as the hosts, we take responsibility for the fake painting. We will compensate Mr. Manuel for his loss and report this to the police. Let's catch those con artists selling fake paintings and prevent more people from being duped. We hope you can forgive our mistake. I promise, as a personal gesture, to donate 5 million.. Please hold us accountable."

Laura's explanation worked wonders, the crowd slowly calmed down.

She made them turn from fraudster into victim.

Agnes watched Laura in the crowd, thinking, "She's crafty. How could she be content being my father's secret lover? Was she really not involved with my mother's incident?" The more Agnes thought, the more suspicious she felt.

Manuel was almost made a fool, and he was furious.

He wouldn't let Laura off the hook just because of her sweet talk.

Manuel said, "You promised ten times compensation if it's fake. I want to know if you'll keep your word. How can we believe anything you say if it's just empty talk?"

Laura was fuming inside.

She thought Manuel was too much. Just a nouveau riche with no common sense. Did he really expect her to fork out 200 million?.

Still, Laura kept her smile, "Mr. Manuel, I'm deeply sorry. But Beatrice's insistence on ten times compensation only proves she didn't know the truth. If she knew the painting was fake, how could she say that? We'll give you a reasonable compensation. Please consider it's Beatrice's birthday today, forgive our mistake." Manuel seemed not to buy Laura's explanation.