Wayne tapped his pipe on the side of the stairs to get the ash out. Luther saw Wayne trying to get up
and quickly went forward and gave him a helping hand. Take it easy, Gramps.” “Everybody’s here. Time
to go back home,” said Wayne. There was a certain warmth behind his gaze Wayne put the pipe in his
mouth and walked out of the room with Luther’s help All the directors were shocked to see him leaving
“Mister Wayne, where are you going?”
“Are you deaf? I said home. I’m done. I quit,” replied Wayne.
Wayne’s declaration stunned the entire board of directors.
Sage propped the broom up by the wall. Before she could turn away, Mendoza stepped in and stopped
her from leaving
“You know how bad your grandpa’s temper can gel, especially when he’s already unsatisfied with how
things unfolded. However, this whole project is riding on his shoulders. You know how important this is.
Try to talk some sense into him. I’ll handle the directors and wait for him to come back,” said Mendoza
Sage nodded and left, but she was once again stopped by Mendoza
“Hang on, come with me Jace left something for you,” explained Mendoza
“I don’t want it,” said Sage.
Her brows unconsciously furrowed together. The very name of “Jace’ invoked memories of how
annoying he had been for the past few days.
Mendoza did not seem to hear Sage’s protest as he continued to herd her towards the safe. He
gestured toward Tim and others to follow suit.
Seth and Nigel looked toward Tim as Sage was pulled into the room by Mendoza
“Should we follow them?”
Tim followed suit without another word.
Mendoza took out a long wooden box from the safe and carefully handed it to Sage before closing the
Safe up again.
“Open it and take a look for yourself,” said Mendoza as he gestured towards the box in her hands
“What is it?’ asked Sage
“The answer lies within,” replied Mendoza. Judging by the length of the box, Sage figured that the
mysterious gift was probably a painting. When she finally opened the box, she knew her guess was
correct.
Lying inside the box was a piece of art sandwiched between two layers of felt.
Sage could not contain her curiosity as she peeled away the felt, exposing the art underneath. When
the people in the room saw what was hiding underneath the felt, their jaws fell to the floor.
“Is this… The Starry Night?” asked Nigel.
Sage carefully inspected the art, and upon closer inspection, she could tell that it was a forgery, but it
was a forgery made to the highest of standards.
The technique used in the forgery was way above her pay grade. It might have surpassed her young
grandfather’s technique. ‘Where did Jace get this?’ asked Sage. How could Sage say no to that perfect
gift?
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