Van Gogh Reborn!

315

The Final Showdown (20)

It was a clear intention.

He raised the price at the last minute without participating in the bidding competition. It meant he was determined to buy .

The people were shocked and quietly watched the situation.

Most of the bidders had already given up on the auction, and there was no chance of a competitor when Baedobin, a famous billionaire, stepped in personally.

Arsene felt the same pressure.

“…”

He was watching the situation closely.

If he had been there, he would have bought for a hundred million dollars, not ten million.

The iris that bloomed proudly in the place where Henri Marso drew his footsteps.

The sunflower that smiled brightly next to it.

had a special meaning for Henri Marso, not just for the reasons the auctioneer explained.

But the opponent was too good.

He didn’t know how much Baedobin wanted , but it was too much to compete on price.

The bidding would repeat and the price would skyrocket.

Arsene didn’t know what was best for Henri Marso.

“Ten million dollars have been offered.”

The experienced auctioneer Adam Gladstone didn’t give him any leeway.

He temporarily abandoned Christie’s traditional auction method and handed over the bidding authority to the anonymous bidder, hoping to sell at the highest possible price.

“Are you willing to bid higher?”

Unable to find an answer, Arsene threw a gamble, thinking of his stubborn employer.

He raised his number plate, hoping that wasn’t that valuable to Baedobin.

“Twelve million dollars.”

“What, what?”

“What did he just say?”

“Did I hear that wrong?”

The auction house, which had been in chaos, was once again swept by a huge shock.

The journalists who were preparing articles about Baedobin winning for ten million dollars had to open new documents.

Even Christie’s best auctioneer was surprised and couldn’t speak easily.

Arsene stared at nervously, and Baedobin, who wanted to buy at the market price, was puzzled by the unexpected situation.

“We’ll take a short break.”

Adam Gladstone stopped the auction.

He said it was a break, but it was actually to check if the anonymous bidder really had the ability to pay twelve million dollars.

Arsene understood the auctioneer’s intention and willingly got up.

“Please share your thoughts!”

“Where is Henri Marso? Is he not participating in this auction?”

“What is your relationship with Master Baedobin? Do you have any personal connections?”

“Mr. Go Soo-yeol! Did you expect your grandson’s work to be like this?”

What the hell is going on?

I finished the meeting and went to the auction house, and the reporters rushed in.

“Please keep your distance.”

Bang Tae-ho stepped in and stopped the reporters, but they kept coming.

I couldn’t figure out what was going on because my sight was blocked.

“It is predicted that it will record the highest auction price since Frosty Field, do you think it can exceed 14 million dollars? What do you think?”

“Huh?”

“The bidding is currently up to 12 million dollars. How do you feel?”

Another unbelievable thing happened.

I only put the memories of my grandfather, Henri, the kids, and Banks in it, but 12 million dollars? I can’t believe it.

“That’s too much.”

When I answered honestly, the reporters who were asking questions stopped for a moment.

Thanks to that, I felt a little alive.

“You said it was beyond your expectation, but the auctioneer and the critics praised it as a masterpiece that contained the message of harmony that you showed in Dallida Square. What do you think about that?”

“I did draw it like that.”

“It was also introduced as a symbolic work that connected art and the public. You won the Citizen Award at the Munster Sculpture Project, do you think it affected today’s auction?”

I don’t know how these people know things I don’t know.

“I haven’t heard of the Citizen Award. I’d appreciate it if you gave it to me.”

I wish someone would summarize what’s going on.

“It must mean that the art market is healthy if Ko Hun’s Flower received a fair evaluation.”

Edward Jenner, the chief customer officer of Christie’s, stepped forward.

“Please tell us more!”

“Christie’s has decided to donate 10% of today’s auction proceeds at the request of Ko Hun. We are delighted that you understand his wish for a world where everyone can live together.”

The reporters, who had barely calmed down by Jenner’s words, made a fuss again.

“Is that true?”

“We have sent press releases to some media outlets and we will also announce a statement this afternoon. It’s a very meaningful event.”

He seemed determined to make a splash as he cared so much about this auction.

“This is a historic moment. Please allow the protagonist to watch the scene.”

Jenner asked the reporters to make way for him and thanks to him, I was able to find a spot on one side.

“Heh, you’re out of your mind, aren’t you?”

Grandpa patted my knee and asked.

“Yes. What on earth happened?”

“Jenner will find out soon. It seems like things went well this time too. Congratulations.”

Bang Tae-ho congratulated me in advance.

As I looked around the auction hall, I saw some familiar faces.

Grandpa’s friend Richard Phillips was there, and so were some reporters I had interviewed a few times.

Bae Do-bin and Choi Ji-hoon were also there.

“Who are you looking for?”

“No.”

It seemed that Henri really didn’t come as promised.

“Things got interesting.”

Jenner came back.

“The bidding went up to 12 million dollars, but the auctioneer paused the auction for identity verification.”

Really, 12 million dollars.

It was a similar price to , which caused a stir at the time for being an absurd amount.

“Who competed with whom?”

Bang Tae-ho stepped forward and asked.

“Maestro Bae and an anonymous bidder.”

I was surprised and shifted my gaze.

Bae Do-bin looked annoyed by this noisy situation.

“Anonymous bidder?”

“We just confirmed his identity. He asked us to keep it a secret, but I think it’s okay for you, the artist.”

Jenner looked around and whispered in my ear.

“It’s someone sent by Henri Marso.”

“…”

“I think it would be better if you contact him now and reveal your identity. It would be a great issue since he and B are in a bidding war.”

Grandpa closed my mouth with his palm and I came to my senses.

“This guy is unbelievable.”

“Hoon, wait a minute. Mr. Jenner, can you take us to a quiet room?”

As I took out my smartphone, Bang Tae-ho stopped me.

“Of course. This way.”

As I followed Jenner to the back of the auction hall, the anonymous bidder sent by Henri sighed as he saw me.

“Did Henri really send you?”

The old man gave Jenner a look and he left the room without a word.

He must have acted discreetly since he revealed his identity to me despite the old man’s request, hoping that the auction itself would be a hot topic.

“I didn’t expect things to turn out like this.”

The old man sighed.

“What’s going on? I’m meeting you for the first time. Where is Henri right now?”

I asked him, wondering if he meant that he wouldn’t come to Art Basel as a joke or a blatant lie.

The old man rubbed his face in self-reproach.

I was about to comfort him, thinking that he was worried about being blamed by Henri, whatever he did.

But then his face crumpled and I almost thought his heart stopped.

I was too shocked to make a sound and grandpa pulled me and blocked the front. Bang Tae-ho was on guard against the old man.

“Ha ha. Don’t be surprised.”

“Arsene…?”

The person who was an unmistakable anonymous bidder until a moment ago turned into a young secretary.

He looked like Lupin.

“You were surprised, weren’t you?”

Grandpa and Bang Tae-ho also sighed in relief.

“I’m sorry.”

“So you sent Arsene instead of coming?”

He didn’t answer even though the situation was so clear. He was a loyal employee.

“Shouldn’t you explain what’s going on?”

Bang Tae-ho asked again and again, until Arsen decided that he could no longer avoid it and made a phone call somewhere.

Soon, they could hear Henri’s voice faintly.

-What happened?

“The auction is in progress, but there’s a problem.”

-A problem?

“The bidder is Baedo-bin.”

-What?

“Another thing is that because the price went up, Christie’s asked for identity verification, so I had to inevitably reveal your name, sir.”

-It can’t be helped. If you contacted me because of the price, buy it no matter what.

“Buy what no matter what!”

He shouted at Arsen’s phone.

-Who was that just now?

“It’s me!”

Arsen turned on the speakerphone and placed it on the table so they could talk comfortably.

“Why are you doing this! I told you so many times!”

-What does it matter to me whether you sell your painting or not.

“I told you several times. I don’t want to owe you anything!”

-It’s not a debt.

“I feel that way!”

-Arsen.

“Yes, sir.”

-Tell Christie’s that I’m participating in your name. By phone or whatever.

“I understand.”

“What do you mean by participating!”

-I’m tired of arguing with you over this. You put your painting on the market and I’m just buying it through a fair process. Hang up.

The call was cut off.

“What’s that?”

“Why is Henri Marso there?”

The auction hall was stirred up once again.

It was because Henri Marso appeared on the screen that was set up on the podium.

The auctioneer Adam Gladstone explained the situation.

“Thank you for your patience. Before we proceed with the auction, I would like to inform you that Mr. Raul, who has been bidding so far, has delegated all his authority to the painter Mr. Henri Marso.”

The media and viewers who had been looking for Henri Marso, who was known to have the most works of Go-hoon, cheered.

“We will resume the auction from the 12 million dollars that Mr. Raul bid. Mr. Baedo-bin, what is your intention?”

-Wait.

Henri Marso’s voice was delivered through the speaker.

-Let me say one thing.

Baedo-bin opened his eyes wide.

-I don’t think you don’t know the value of that painting. However, I can assure you that no one will cherish it more than I do. Give up.

It was a surprisingly polite attitude for those who knew Henri Marso, but the intention was clear.

He meant to say that he had no intention of giving up and that he should back off.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Baedo-bin, and he gave a sign to the auctioneer as if he was not interested.

It meant to resume the auction.

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