Chapter 253: Sienna Everett and Winchester Blow Up

Chapter 253: Chapter 253: Sienna Everett and Winchester Blow Up

Keith Sterling grimaced, setting down the fake bronze ware. He then bolted out of the room to go wash and disinfect his hands.

The appraisers beside them were already used to this sort of thing; there wasn’t much they hadn’t touched.

"It’s true. I heard from an old master before that burying a fake bronze ware in a latrine to rust it is the best way to make it indistinguishable from a real one."

"Looking at it this way, the patina on both these bronze wares is problematic. Neither formed naturally, so they must be fakes!"

"I said it just now, the inscription could also be faked. Miss Everett, I agree with you. I also think this bronze ware is a fake!"

The unconvinced young appraiser, his face flushed red, glanced at Sienna Everett but mumbled and said nothing.

Manager Jennings turned to the stunned Mr. Lennon. "Mr. Lennon, this bronze ware of yours is a fake. We can’t register it for sale."

Mr. Lennon was still seething. "How could it be fake!"

But The Argent Auction House was the most reputable and authoritative auction house in the industry, as well as the most trustworthy. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come.

Manager Jennings smiled and casually inquired, "Mr. Lennon, if you don’t believe us, you can always have it appraised by someone else. May I ask where you acquired this bronze ware?"

Mr. Lennon didn’t answer the question, instead roaring in a fury, "Just a minute! I have another bronze ware. I’ll go get it for you to see!"

Sienna Everett was slightly surprised to hear this. ’Another one?’

After saying his piece, Mr. Lennon immediately ran out.

Manager Jennings looked at Sienna Everett and asked respectfully, "Miss Everett, I’m sorry to ask you to wait a little longer."

Sienna Everett replied, "Alright."

About half an hour later, Keith Sterling finally returned from washing his hands. He had disinfected each hand at least a hundred times, washing them until the skin was raw.

"Sierra..."

Keith Sterling had a tearful look on his face. ’Ugh, I’m tainted. I’m not clean anymore.’

Sienna Everett blinked. "It’s fine. You’re not the first person to touch it. Besides, who knows how many hands those two fake bronze wares have passed through? They’re probably clean by now."

A nearby appraiser laughed. "That’s right, Mr. Sterling. I touched it with my bare hands just now, too. A good wash and disinfection is all it takes. It’s no big deal."

Only then did Keith Sterling feel a little better.

’But I still want to chop my hands off!’

A short while later, Mr. Lennon returned with another piece of bronze ware, his expression a mixture of anger and indignation. "Manager Jennings, take a good look at this one and tell me if it’s real or fake!"

Manager Jennings had someone carefully place it on a nearby table.

Sienna Everett put on her gloves again and bent over, examining it carefully for a moment.

The other appraisers also gathered around, curious.

Sienna Everett first examined the patina, then the seal-script inscription carved on it. Her expression suddenly turned solemn.

"What is it?" Keith Sterling asked immediately.

This time, he didn’t dare touch anything recklessly before Sienna Everett had spoken.

Sienna Everett’s eyes were fixed on the inscription.

After studying it for a moment, Sienna Everett turned her head to Manager Jennings and gave him a slight nod.

Manager Jennings’s heart skipped a beat. ’This bronze ware is real!’

Seeing that Sienna Everett didn’t immediately declare it authentic but instead gave him a meaningful look, Manager Jennings instantly understood. He quietly stepped out of the private room and dialed the police.

When Manager Jennings returned from his call, Sienna Everett pretended to examine the piece for a few more minutes.

Mr. Lennon urged impatiently, "Why is it taking so long this time?"

Keith Sterling, protective of her, retorted, "What’s your hurry? Whether it’s real or fake, it’s sitting right here. It’s not going to run away."

Sienna Everett looked for a few more minutes before slowly speaking, "This one is real."

Joy instantly flooded Mr. Lennon’s eyes, and the anger from the two previous fakes immediately vanished. "Hmph, so one of them is real after all!"

Manager Jennings inquired with a broad smile, "Mr. Lennon, where did you get this bronze ware?"

Mr. Lennon waved his hand dismissively. "You don’t need to worry about that. Just help me find an interested antique collector or a wealthy businessman!"

One of the appraisers at the side asked doubtfully, "Miss Everett, why do I feel like something’s not quite right with this bronze ware?"

Mr. Lennon’s face hardened instantly. "What do you mean by that? You’re not going to change your mind and say it’s a fake, are you!"

The appraiser waved his hands repeatedly. "That’s not what I meant..."

Just as the two were arguing, several police officers suddenly rushed in, followed by a few refined, middle-aged men.

An appraiser immediately recognized them. The men with the police were the director of The National Museum and professional archaeologists!

Upon seeing the police, Mr. Lennon’s face turned pale. He stammered, "Wh-what is the meaning of this!"

The lead officer showed his badge and said coldly, "We received a report that someone is suspected of trafficking cultural relics!"

Sienna Everett spoke slowly, "Mr. Lennon, the inscription on this bronze ware is in Jinwen script from the middle to late Spring and Autumn period. It records the life of Duke Valerius of Jyn. However, the tomb of Duke Valerius has not yet been excavated. How did you come to possess this bronze ware?"

Keith Sterling looked shocked. ’Tomb raiding?’

Mr. Lennon’s legs trembled with fear. "It wasn’t me, I didn’t do it! I bought this from someone else!"

A police officer stepped forward. "You’re coming with us to cooperate with the investigation. Explain everything clearly!"

Mr. Lennon, who had nearly wet his pants in fright, was led away by the police, trembling.

After hearing Sienna Everett’s explanation, the director of The National Museum looked excitedly at the bronze ware on the table and waved to the archaeologist beside him. "Zane, come take a look at this!"

The archaeologist observed the piece carefully and cautiously for a good while before looking up at Sienna Everett, overjoyed.

"Young lady, you were completely right! This inscription does record the life of Duke Valerius of Jyn! To be able to tell that this bronze ware is authentic, and even identify the script as Jinwen from the middle to late Spring and Autumn period... that’s incredible! This inscription has significant historical value and is well worth studying!"

Sienna Everett smiled faintly. "I have some knowledge in this area, so I was able to recognize it."

The authentic bronze ware was taken away by the professionals; it would be of great help to historical research.

The archaeologist laughed heartily. "Very few people can read these inscriptions. You must have more than just ’some knowledge’! Young lady, since you’re so skilled at appraising artifacts, does that mean you also know how to restore them?"

Anyone familiar with the field knows that appraising and restoring artifacts have a certain degree of overlap.

Sienna Everett didn’t hide it and nodded. "I know a little."

The director beamed with delight. "Young lady, your skills are truly impressive. Would you be willing to come work for The National Museum?"

Keith Sterling scratched his head, dumbfounded. ’Are they seriously trying to poach her in public?!’

’Sierra is a specially-appointed appraiser for our Argent Auction House!’

The director thought of a compromise. "How about this, young lady? Let’s exchange contact information. Would it be alright if I contacted you in the future if something comes up?"

Sienna Everett pondered for a moment before taking out her phone. "Of course."

Manager Jennings was completely flabbergasted at this point. ’Th-this...’

’The director of The National Museum came here?’

’And he’s praising Miss Everett to the high heavens?’

’He even took the initiative to ask for Miss Everett’s contact information?!’

’The Argent Auction House must have done something incredible in a past life to deserve this!’

The incident was reported that very afternoon. "Winchester," an appraiser for The Argent Auction House—a young woman who not only distinguished a real bronze ware from fakes but also assisted the police in capturing a group of relic traffickers—became a sensation. Archaeologists also initiated protective measures for the looted tomb. The news sent huge waves through the world of antiquities.

Even netizens who didn’t normally follow archaeology had heard of Winchester’s great name and were full of amazement.

’This young woman is just too incredible! I feel like she’s even more amazing than Sienna Everett and Ophelia Warren. What kind of god-tier figure is this!’

Word spread that the director of The National Museum and professional archaeologists were singing Winchester’s praises. Many artifact appraisers and restorers flocked to The Argent Auction House, hoping to see Winchester in person.

Sienna Everett had just returned to her hospital room and hadn’t even sat down when she received a call from Manager Jennings.

"Miss Everett, tons of people have come to the auction house asking for you! They all want to meet you!" Manager Jennings paused for a few seconds before adding hesitantly, "Miles Everett of the Everett Family is here too. He said he came because he’d heard of her reputation and wants to meet Winchester!"