Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1634: Chapter 1618: It’s Real

Not sure if it was a coincidence, but right after Adrian finished speaking, Huo Sining’s phone started ringing wildly.

Huo Sining apologized to Adrian and then took out her phone. Seeing that the call was from Bai Yishan, who was sitting in the banquet hall, she had a vague idea of something and hurriedly answered the call.

On the other end, Bai Yishan sounded very excited: ”Ningning, I’ve got good news for you! Those paintings you salvaged from Dover, my mentor replied to me. She said that although she hasn’t seen them in person, based on the style and technique, there’s a seventy to eighty percent chance they are genuine Picasso pieces!”

The style and technique were correct, and with the ”Heavenly Eye,” it was apparent those paintings were from the 18th or 19th century, so there was no doubt.

With Bai Yishan’s call, Huo Sining was now completely certain: the sketches and ink paintings she had were indeed Picasso’s works!

Huo Sining, who was always calm, couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement. She looked up at Adrian, ”Mr. Earl, is what you said true?”

Adrian was taken aback: ”What did I say?”

Huo Sining smiled and reminded him, ”You just said that if I had Mr. Pablo’s works to trade with you, I could choose any Huaxia artifact from your collection, one piece for twenty?”

Adrian nodded. Picasso’s paintings had a significant international impact, with each selling for millions of British Pounds or even more. Meanwhile, Huaxia artifacts lacked international influence—twenty, even a hundred of them might not compare to the status of one Picasso painting in the eyes of these Europeans.

Adrian didn’t lack Huaxia antiques. His collection room housed thousands of antiques, and losing ten or a hundred of them didn’t concern him much. What he lacked were Western art pieces.

Moreover, Adrian had a small ambition: he hoped that under his leadership, the Albert family collection could expand its influence and secure a position in the international collection history.

However, for the Albert family’s private collection to become world-class, merely having precious Huaxia Country artifacts wasn’t enough; they needed more influential Western artifacts.

That’s why he was so determined to collect European relics and antiques.

Still, Adrian didn’t believe that Huo Sining had Picasso’s paintings because he’d spent years searching and understood that obtaining such works wasn’t easy.

But what Huo Sining said next left Adrian utterly stunned.

”Well, Mr. Earl, I must remind you that it seems your collection will need a major overhaul because I won’t be showing any courtesy with you.”

Huo Sining smiled as she looked at Adrian, ”In fact, I do have Mr. Pablo’s works, and not just one.”

Adrian was dumbfounded for several seconds before recovering, looking at Huo Sining in shock: ”Miss Huo, this is no joke, do you really have Picasso’s paintings? My God, you’re not deceiving me, are you?”

Seeing Adrian’s incredulous gaze, Huo Sining couldn’t help but laugh: ”Mr. Earl, we haven’t known each other long, but do you think I’m someone who talks nonsense? I see you as a true friend, so why would I use such a crude excuse to deceive you?”

”Besides, I believe that with your knowledge and vision, Mr. Adrian, you can quickly determine whether the paintings I have are genuine Picassos.”

These words hit home with Adrian. Over the years, while purchasing Picasso’s paintings, he had studied them extensively and was very familiar with the master’s style.

However, Adrian still had doubts: ”But the whereabouts of Mr. Picasso’s works have been accounted for. Aside from a few lost to wars or sunk at sea, I’ve investigated most of them and have interacted with their owners. If any paintings were lost or sold, I should have heard about it. Miss Huo, where did you acquire these paintings?”

Huo Sining certainly wouldn’t tell this European that she had retrieved the paintings from the Dover Sea Area. The coins from before were disregarded by the English Earl because they weren’t very valuable and weren’t conspicuous, so the old gentleman could pretend nothing happened, even helping her negotiate with the embassy to deal with the mess for her.

But Picasso’s paintings were different. Apart from their high value, the international influence of Picasso’s art meant that if it got out that Huo Sining had salvaged genuine Picasso paintings from Dover, she’d likely be surrounded by England’s zealots.

Although Englishmen are generally gentlemen, knowing such priceless treasures lay beneath the sea yet were scooped up by a Huaxia person would drive those Englishmen to the brink. Demonstrations might ensue, forcing Huo Sining to hand over the paintings.

Huo Sining wasn’t foolish; she wouldn’t make clothes for others to wear by doing that. So when Adrian asked about the paintings’ origin, she didn’t answer directly, instead brushing it off with a laugh.

Seeing Huo Sining’s attitude, Adrian knew that the origins of her paintings probably couldn’t be disclosed.

Adrian, being a gentleman, understood the boundaries of social interaction. Seeing this reaction, he realized his question was inappropriate and decided not to press further.

Besides, at that moment, he was eager to see if the paintings Huo Sining mentioned were the real deal. How she obtained them wasn’t of great concern to him, so soon, the old Earl’s attention was again riveted by the Picasso paintings in Huo Sining’s possession. Changing the subject, he asked:

”Miss Huo, those paintings... when would it be convenient for you to let me see them?”

Seeing the burning eagerness in Adrian’s eyes, Huo Sining decided not to delay. Since she was here now, she figured she might as well settle the matter in one go.