Yanina calm. “Alright, me enlighten you. go for ten bucks the night market. I wouldn’t take them for free. She glanced Steven. “As Sherman’s disciple, you should know he hates Peonies. He liked its would never peonies. Steven paused, a bit surprised Yanina’s words. He remembered Sherman but Yanina had never met the man. He wondered how could she knew about this. “Sherman might have fond of peonies, but how does relate to his is about expressing freely. Maybe Sherman suddenly found an interest peonies. Christina, Steven, chimed in “Exactly! Maybe Sherman was strolling through a peony one day, got inspired by sight, just couldn’t help but paint, creating Peony Painting?” Yanina without disagreeing. She reached out and touched the paper again. “Forget the theme for a moment; just from the material, this painting been around for over ten years. The surface this paper really coarse, which means someone tried to make look old on purpose. If I cut it open I’m pretty sure the core show it’s just one or two years old” picking up on observation, couldn’t help but touch the paper herself. As soon her brushed it, she frowned. Her husband’s family owns a company that paper, and she had personally inspected operations, so she the process well. as Quinci the she knew was a recent more than two old. Steven had claimed it was a treasure his grandfather’s collection, safe for over a decade. Clearly, he was lying. Yanina, looking at Steven, “You should know, if you’re with Sherman, he never uses store–bought paper, no matter how fine. He only uses the he makes himself. Steven’s face flushed with the painting was fake was out of the question. If did, he lose his shot with Christina…. With determination, Steven painting a Sherman to my grandfather when they met ago. He probably used paper because he didn’t have his own on him. This piece is undoubtedly Sherman’s” Yanina dealt before, but none as hard–headed as Steven. “From the brush stroke to the line. and this perfectly mirrors style. forgery is obvious. Check this out; Sherman’s signature always ends with a stroke. And this bird’s beak–it’s handled just like in Sherman’s other pieces…” Christina couldn’t hold back. “That’s because painting is real Steven told us its origin. can it be fake? Look at the seal, all the forgeries have a chipped corner, but Sherman’s seal intact! This was by Sherman burself. Yanina “You’re right, Sherman’s seal is perfect. you don’t know is that the sont authentic, the isn’t by Sherman! Before anyone could argue, Yanina casually added, “Because the one painted it. Everyone the Zamora was stunned. After a few seconds, Christina snapped reality. “Are serious? Have ever even painting? Stop boasting like that!” -Sherry too. She Yanina for a had never seen her a brush. Even if the was a fake, whoever work so precisely to be truly talented. She thought, Who does Yanina think she is to “make such bold claims? “Yani, stop already. If this out, the whole Zamora family be laughingstock Quinci pulled Yanina aside. Chapter 15 Yanina’s remained calm she replied, “Last fall. I went to the South with some friends and Sherman by chance. I tried to imitate brushwork painting, hoping to get some feedback from him. Carl let out a hearty chuckle. Yani, you lucked out meeting Sherman!” He was the only one in the buying Yanina’s story, knowing she the piece made him it even more. Yanina a smile. “Sherman volunteering in the village, teaching kids to draw. He saw my attempt wasn’t impressed, said I stuck and questioned my choice peonie, even gaudy. But a kid got hold Sherman’s and stamped it my painting. I ended up giving the painting to that kid,” pointed stamp. “Notice, Sherman’s seal always the right side his work. This one’s on the left. Everyone in see, and indeed, the seal place. In heat of the debate, missed it. “Steven, this a real painting not?” Quinci demanded, her annoyance clear as she stared down. Steven’s eyes met Yanina’s, red–rimmed and intense. He too deep; there was turning back now. He had to stand his story to win Christina’s hand. Taking a breath, he the room. “Seems like Yanina knows a lot about Sherman. If you’re so sure this a fake, I can him right now and ask. His Christina a boost. “I’ve Steven’s of Sherman’s so this to be real! Don’t let Yanina fool you. A private seal isn’t something you’d just give to a kid,” insisted, jabbing a finger at Yanina. Yanina shook her head at stubbornness. “Sherman’s a spirit. He’d give away a painting without a thought, so not let a kid play with a seal?” f you’re set Sherman, wait until tomorrow. He’s resting now and answer,” Yanina advised, well aware routine. She wondered if Steven, his protége, knew real Sherman. Carl’s gaze Steven carried a of contempt. A value in thought, not the price tag. presenting a That spoke about a person’s character. Instead of admitting his mistake, Steven kept trying to discredit Yanina look better. He wasn’t of guy the Zamora. would welcome. Feeling her disdain, Christina grew uneasy. shot glance Steven. “What are you waiting for? Call Expose her lies!” Wiping the sweat his brow, Steven out his phone and Sherman’s number.