?Chapter 142:


    Javier instantly deted. “Dad, let me exin! How could you suspect me? I’m your son! Don’t believe this venomous woman’s lies—she’s just trying to get back at me!”


    Vince smacked Javier across the back of the head. “Venomous woman? That’s your cousin! Apologize!”


    Javier didn’t want to acknowledge Elena as family. But with his father still yanking his ear, he had no choice but to mutter, “Sorry.” His voice was barely audible.


    Vince’s grip tightened. “Where are the paintings? What did you do with them?”


    Javier stiffened. His mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came out. Vince’s patience wore thin. His voice turned icy. “I am asking you—where are they?”


    Javier flinched. His eyes darted around nervously before he finally mumbled, “I sold them.”


    Vince’s frown deepened. “Louder! Where did they go?”


    Seeing no way out, Javier confessed honestly, hoping for leniency through honesty. With a deep breath, he shut his eyes and stated word by word, “I sold them.”


    “What!” Vince nearly lost his bnce from the shock. “You sold my paintings? You have everything you need! You’re not struggling for money, so why would you do something like this?”


    Javier wrung his hands. “You and Mom keep cutting my allowance—it’s not enough! Alexander gives Elena ten million as pocket money!” Of course, Javier wasn’t telling the full story. The truth was, he sold the paintings to buy gifts to please Elyse. She had told him Elena was making her life miserable and she was feeling down. To cheer her up, he had bought her thetest designer bags and a full set of jewelry. In the process, he had maxed out his credit card. Desperate for cash, he had no choice but to sell the paintings.


    Vince was livid. “If you had half the sense Elena does, you wouldn’t have done something this ridiculous!”


    Javier knew he was in the wrong and stayed silent.


    Vince’s chest heaved, his hands shaking with rage. “Do you have any idea how much those paintings were worth?”


    Javier straightened slightly. “I sold them for ten million.” The buyer initially offered five, but he had managed to push for double.


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    Vince staggered, nearly fainting. “You idiot! How did I end up with a son like you? Those paintings were worth forty million, and you let them go for a fraction of that!”


    “You fool! How can you still be proud?” Vince was fuming with anger. “You traded paintings valued at forty million for a mere ten million and still boast?”


    “That couldn’t be!” Javier answered. “The buyer imed these paintings were at best worth five million. Fortunately, I managed to get someone to push the price to ten million.”


    The sound ofughter echoed clearly and brightly throughout the room. Javier turned around and spotted Elenaughing. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “What’s so funny?”


    Elena pressed her lips together, barely holding back anotherugh. She found targeting a moron like Javier pointless. She said, “Think about it, the buyer would never reveal the true worth of forty million. He’d rather im they were worthless to get them for nothing.”


    “Humph, you think I can be fooled that easily? Those paintings were locked in a safe. They have to be genuine!” Javier fancied himself quite clever. He had carefully chosen items from the safe, certain they were more valuable.


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