The Versatile Master Artist

”This may be the allure of the artwork that Professor Boggs fears enough to forgo the opportunity to hold an exhibition rather than oppose it. Sir Brown, I don’t know if you feel any fear, but when I read the news, I truly felt a bit scared.”

It was Hellefi Shareholder who spoke first.

”I didn’t mention it to anyone, but the moment I saw this ’Little Prince,’ I actually had a moment of hesitation. Is it really worth opposing such an artist? If what was in front of me was not an obscure painting knife painting but a traditional authentic oil painting, perhaps I would also lose the courage to attack such an artwork.”

Hellefi stood up, gazing out the window, and slowly said, ”I know, among the shareholders present at the time, I was surely not the only one with such thoughts.”

Sir Brown snorted.

”Regretting now is probably a bit too late. The decision has already been made, and giving up halfway will end in nothing achieved.”

”No, my friend, we have already embarked on the same boat; there’s no room for regret.”

Hellefi shook his head, ”I just keep recalling the scene during the shareholders’ vote that day.”

”That afternoon, all twelve of us shareholders collectively lied. This was our first vote after expelling Anna from the board; I’m not a particularly honest person, but this doesn’t seem like a good sign, it always reminds me of a famous painting scene.”

”Jacques-Louis David’s ’The Death of Socrates’?”

Recalling the words of his secretary, Eliot, Sir Brown replied angrily, ”Even if it really was a mob driving Socrates away, it was still over a hundred years after Socrates’ death before Athens truly declined. Don’t worry, we’re unlikely to see that day anyway.”

”No, no, my friend, not ’The Death of Socrates,’ but Da Vinci’s ’The Last Supper.’”

Hellefi walked to the wall, looking up at the space above the golden medal display case, where the portrait of the Old Count once hung.

In the sea of famous paintings available for selection,

Sir Brown ultimately chose Da Vinci’s ’The Last Supper’ to place there.

This painting captured the biblical story of Jesus dining with his 12 disciples for the last time, before being betrayed by Judas and crucified on the cross.

Not a coincidence.

If one were to summarize the entire Western art history with one painting,

The so-called world’s three greatest paintings lack ’Mona Lisa,’ which is too petty, and ’Palace Maid’ and ’Night Patrol,’ whose fame is slightly weaker.

Instead, Da Vinci’s most time and effort-consuming work, the religious mural in the Milan Cathedral, ’The Last Supper’ replica, holds its unique historical status.

Sir Brown’s choice was entirely reasonable.

However—”

”When I walked into the office today and saw that you actually placed this painting in your office, it made me inexplicably uneasy.”

”You know, I’m a person who believes in omens. Including you and Miss Elina, there were exactly thirteen shareholders voting at that meeting.”

Hellefi, standing in front of the painting’s frame with his large belly,

unbuttoned his vest, pulled out a silver cross chain from his collar and kissed it.

”Tell me, what role do each of us play in this upheaval? Athens still thrived for 100 years after Socrates’ death. Meanwhile, in mythology, only three days passed from when the betraying disciple received the thirty silver coins rewarded for selling the Savior to hanging himself.”

”Celestial Father above, forgive my sinful dishonesty, may I not be Judas.”

The chief art consultant from the Metropolis said deeply.

Beep beep beep...

Sir Brown’s phone rang, and he answered it.

”No matter what news you have, I’m very busy now, please call me back a little later. Postpone the subsequent agenda.” He said irritably to the personal assistant on the call.

”Sir, I’m sorry, but Mr. Anthony’s call, perhaps you need to call him back.” The assistant spoke urgently.

”...Go on. Did he contact me about something? Financial affairs are managed by Krug Bank.”

The chairman spoke patiently.

Anthony is a well-known businessman in Rio de Janeiro, holding 17 million shares of the world’s largest iron ore producer, Vale Group, which shows how wealthy he is.

He’s the kind of rich man who doesn’t even have time to pick up 100 US dollars from the ground.

Obviously, such a mogul is very interested in both art investment and tax evasion activities based on art funds.

Anthony is one of the most interested businessmen in investing in the initial oil painting fund, with an initial investment of more than nine-digit euros.

A call from such a person is hard for Sir Brown to refuse.

”Mr. Anthony saw this morning’s news, and he wants to know about that ’Little Prince’ illustration...” The assistant’s nervous voice came through the phone.

”Tell Anthony not to worry, I’ll call him personally in a moment.”

Before the secretary could finish, Sir Brown impatiently hung up the phone.

He quickly stood up.

Now there was no idle time to accompany Hellefi in any mythical narrative.

Those world tycoons are really not much easier to serve than God.

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Some news heats up like a static spark passing through dry autumn leaves, spreading into an inextinguishable blaze at an unimaginable speed.