Chapter 2

“Wow, how exciting! Can’t wait!”

“From what Chloe said, Brandon actually slept with her. Who does she think she is, trying to marry into the Hayes family?”

“I heard Chloe is just a foster kid the Vances took in, but she actually dared to scheme against their real daughter?”

“I heard she even tried to steal Serena’s boyfriends. Everyone knows those three guys are crazy about Serena.”

But before the crowd could finish gossiping, my sister’s photos suddenly flooded the Antique Exchange SnapChat group.

My phone buzzed relentlessly, flooded with vile, malicious gossip and rumors.

“Brandon Hayes, have you lost your mind?!” Chloe’s eyes turned red.

“Chloe Adams, if you want to stay in this industry, get on your knees and apologize to Serena right now, plus five million in compensation. Otherwise, I’ll post all these photos online! If you don’t care about the shame, keep refusing…”

Chloe lowered her head, but then, after a long moment, she looked up, surprisingly calm.

“Apologize? You’re dreaming. I have evidence that Serena was the one who swapped the painting. As for compensation, there’s no telling who will be paying whom.”

“Ha, evidence? If you really had evidence, you would’ve shown it already. Why would your appraisal qualifications almost be revoked? Stop acting, Chloe Adams, stop deluding yourself.”

The onlookers chimed in, enjoying the show.

“Yeah, if you’ve got proof, spill it, don’t just run your mouth.”

Chloe ignored them, only letting out a cold laugh.

“Since we’re talking about compensation, Serena Vance, you’ve pulled off countless switcheroos like this before! If you had to pay for all of them, you’d be bankrupt a hundred times over!”

The atmosphere went strangely silent for a few seconds.

Brandon Hayes was the first to speak, his voice filled with sympathy and indignation.

“Chloe Adams, you’re being far too aggressive! Serena is older than you, she’s your sister! How can you make such baseless accusations?!”

But his words only fueled Chloe's anger. She was trembling.

“Brandon Hayes, I must have been blind to ever like a beast like you!”

“Chloe, don't misunderstand. I’m just being objective. If you can provide evidence, of course I’ll help you.”

Chloe’s face went pale, and her voice trembled.

“Brandon Hayes, considering our families have been close for generations, can’t you… not be so cruel?”

“Of course…” He drawled playfully, then paused, changing his tone. “Besides the photos, I have videos too. Does everyone want to see them?”

The crowd instantly erupted.

“Yes! She’s got a great body!”

At this moment, my assistant, Ryan, who had been investigating the authenticity of the photos, reported quietly:

“Ms. Sterling, we checked the photos. No tampering, they’re original uploads.”

“How did Chloe get these kinds of photos?”

“Brandon Hayes is behind it. He didn’t just trick Miss Adams; I heard he’s brought dozens of young women to his bed. The guy’s a total playboy, he must have countless explicit photos.”

Ryan’s face was grim as he cursed under his breath.

I took a deep breath and asked,

“Has the appraisal firm owner arrived?”

“Still on the way.”

“Add this: if he’s not here within ten minutes, I’ll smash everything in this place!”

“Understood. I’ll relay that immediately.”

The crowd continued to buzz, all eyes on Chloe Adams and Serena Vance, waiting for the next round of drama.

“I can overlook the things you’ve stolen before, but this painting isn’t something your Vance family can touch. It was part of my family’s collection, and my sister will definitely come back to claim it.”

The moment Chloe finished speaking, Brandon Hayes and the others burst into laughter.

“You’re trying to make me die laughing! Your sister abandoned you and fled overseas years ago; by now, she’s probably dead in some ditch.”

“Even if she’s alive, it’s been so long, and she hasn’t come looking for you. She’s probably too poor to survive, much less come back for you, hahaha.”

Chloe’s eyes flashed with fierce light as she glared at them.

“You don’t need to worry about whether my sister’s alive, but if you don’t hand over that painting, I’ll give the police evidence of all the things you’ve stolen before!”

Serena Vance’s face instantly twisted into an ugly mask, but she still puffed out her neck and shrieked:

“Chloe Adams, I haven’t done anything! You’re clearly slandering me now!”

Just then, a portly, greasy middle-aged man pushed through the crowd and strode in.

“What’s all this racket about? Disperse, now!”