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 tond a lucrative sale. After all, in the


    antique business, one sale could rue enough profit for three whole years.


    "My grandfather''s birthday ising 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. Let me get 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 apanied 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 time no see! What


    brings you here?"


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    "What a surprise! Smart, out of all ces, 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 exined, 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 insult me like 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 onest 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!"