"Danielle, how could you lie to everyone? If you have no money, just tell me and I'll give it to you. We can pick a gift within our budget. Small in value, but big in meaning. But now, you bring out a fake painting..."
"Danielle, I even gave up David, even though I was reluctant because you said you liked him. But can you please consider David's reputation? Don't be so willful. What you did really disappointed us."
Audrey said with a pained heart, confirming that Danielle was just putting on a facade of wealth. She also implied that her engagement with David was ruined because of Danielle, which forced her to break up with him.
The people who came to the banquet looked at Danielle with contempt. Now, they understood why she could stay by David's side. Danielle must have used tricks to get there, probably because of her mother's influence.
Everyone looked at Audrey with sympathy, watching as she still spoke kindly of the person who had stolen her fiancé.
She was so kind.
Danielle glanced at the people present, feeling as if they all wished she were dead.
It seemed that her kindness before had only made those who spoke ill of her feel so confident.
Cheryl stepped forward and quickly declared the authenticity of her paintings, while those mocking her were all individuals who had collaborated with the Locke family.
Logan and Tara looked at Danielle with concern and also exchanged glances with David. But David acted as if he hadn't noticed, letting a bunch of insignificant people bully Danielle.
Just as Giancarlo was about to step forward to smooth things over, he heard Danielle speak.
"I'm curious, Miss Locke, do you have X-ray vision that you immediately claimed my painting was a replica?"
"And Miss Harris, you'd better have evidence before you speak, otherwise what's the difference between you and a fool? I suggest you keep your little schemes for yourself."
"Audrey, have you forgotten the warning I gave you? You're trying to take advantage of others' ignorance, playing the victim to stir sympathy and attack me. You've already lost the final chance I gave you."
"Also, some rich ladies who started to mock me without knowing the truth, I know you are targeting me. I am usually very easy to talk to, but sometimes if I am unhappy, someone will have to pay the price. Are you ready for that?"
At this moment, Danielle was like a female general on the battlefield, her eyes were cold, her aim was clear, and every word she said made people tremble with fear.
But several wealthy ladies said disdainfully.
"Little girl, don't think you're even worthy of entering the Charrington family's house. Do you know who we are? How dare you speak so arrogantly?"
"Yes, this girl is speaking too arrogantly. She even wants us to pay the price. This is the funniest joke I've heard this year."
Danielle suppressed the turmoil inside her, speaking in a calm tone with a cold expression.
"It has nothing to do with the Charrington family. I'm someone you can't afford to offend. Today is Mr. Barnes's birthday, so I won't do anything to you here. When the birthday party is over, you will know the consequences of messing with me."
"Also, my painting is real. You can find someone to appraise it."
David looked at Danielle thoughtfully.
At this moment, everyone present was so frightened by Danielle's aura that they shuddered. They felt that Danielle was not lying.
"Little girl, you are still too young and impulsive. Not everyone can be offended," Tim said slowly.
The noble ladies Danielle just mentioned were all from families that had deep cooperation with the Locke family. Danielle's disrespect was like slapping the Locke family in the face.
Logan was displeased upon hearing this and stepped up to defend her. "Danielle doesn't lose her temper easily. Anyone who could make her angry is definitely not a good person."
Logan recognized them as nothing more than pampered individuals who used their age and seniority as a means to intimidate the Charrington family.
"Danielle is usually very well-behaved. Logan and I are still alive, yet some blind fools have started to bully her. I want to see who gave them the courage to be so arrogant, clearly asking for trouble!"
Tara was even more furious, clenching her fists as if she was ready to throw a punch.
Everyone present knew about Tara's temper. It was only in recent years that she had been in poor health and hospitalized. In previous years, she wouldn't hesitate to hit people whenever she disagreed with them.
Seeing that both Logan and Tara were defending Danielle, Tim didn't say anything more, but his gaze towards Danielle was far from friendly.
Danielle didn't expect Logan and Tara to defend her like this, and she felt deeply moved.
Cameron caught the look from David and quickly stepped forward, suggesting, "I heard that the master of traditional painting, Mr. Willy Thaddeus, recently came to Soufield. It just so happens that our family has some connections with him. Why don't we invite him to come and determine the authenticity of the painting?"
"Yes, it would be great if you could invite Mr. Thaddeus. He is an authority in the traditional painting world. If he comes to appraise it, he will definitely be able to determine its authenticity and clear someone's name."
Giancarlo stepped forward to mediate the situation.
As soon as Giancarlo finished speaking, Willy's booming voice echoed, "No need to invite me, I'm already here."
"I admire Chimera very much. I heard that two identical paintings by Chimera appeared at Mr. Barnes's birthday banquet. I was so curious that I came here myself."
Willy was nearly eighty years old, but he walked so fast like a gust of wind.
"Happy birthday, Mr. Barnes!" Willy offered a perfunctory blessing, then turned around, his eyes shining with excitement to see the paintings. "Hurry up and let me see Chimera's paintings."
As the crowd made way for him, Willy could see the two identical paintings before him.
"There must be a real one in there," Willy said, pursing his lips.
Everyone wondered if this was a whole new level of nonsense literature.
"Mr. Thaddeus, this is the painting I gave to Mr. Barnes. I went through a lot of trouble and consulted many experts to obtain this piece, so there's no way it could be a replica."
"Someone just insists on giving a fake one to pretend to be rich, and she even has to trouble you to come here. It's really such a hassle."
"I've always admired you, Mr. Thaddeus Every one of your paintings is timeless."
Emma stepped forward and spoke softly.
Willy was looking at the two paintings when he heard Emma's coquettish voice. He looked up and frowned at the person in front of him.
Not A Small Town Girl (Danielle and David)
ï¤Chapter 172 "Stop acting coquettishly in front of me. I haven't appraised it yet, so how do you know which one is real and which one is fake? Your tone reminds me of the vicious woman I usually see in TV dramas, the kind that makes everyone want to spit when they see her."
No one expected Willy to be so sharp-tongued and straightforward. Emma's face turned pale, and tears welled up in her eyes. Anyone who saw her would feel sorry for her "Everything I said is true, so there's no need for you to feel wronged. Turns out, the TV dramas weren't lying at all," Willy added.
"Mr. Thaddeus, she is still a young girl, and she didn't say anything wrong. Don't be so hard on her," a man spoke up for Emma after seeing her aggrieved look.
"You must be involved with this girl! Any man here should be careful. She's probably cheating. That's how they show it in TV dramas."
Everyone knew that Willy had a bit of a strange temper, but they didn't expect him to shoot at someone indiscriminately. His mouth was like a venomous snake.
The man's face turned red with anger.
Willy snorted coldly. "What are you trying to do? You just want to play the hero and rescue the girl, right? Next time you think about saving someone, take a look at your opponent first. I'm not someone easy to mess with."
Now, no one dared to speak, for fear of being rebuked.