THE FORGOTTEN HUSBAND’S REVENGE!

Chapter 4: The Fake Gift

“Mother, this has gone too far!” Arabella snapped, her voice filled with fury as she glared at her mother in the dressing room.

She looked at waiter’s uniform in her mother’s hand and glanced at Maxwell. “He’s your son in law and not a servant. You can’t make him work as a waiter!”

Sienna had a dismissive look on as she let out a cold snort. “Son in law? Arabella, are you stupid? You are still calling a man who returned with empty hands and a ruined name who had ultimately become a liability your husband? And if your so called husband wants to stay here for your grandfather’s birthday, he can earn his seat by carrying trays. At least he will be of some use to this family.”

Theodore nodded in agreement, his face cold and indifferent. “Your mother is right. Either he puts on the uniform and works with the servants or he waits at the gates with the rest of the beggers. Choose quickly Arabella, the guests are arriving soon.”

Arabella turned to Maxwell, a strong resolve in her eyes as she reached out to hold his hand. “Max, we don’t have to do this okay? Let’s leave. I won’t let them treat you like this.”

Maxwell didn’t look offended by their words, his eyes were fixed on Arabella. He stepped forwards and took Arabella’s hand in his. A small, reassuring smile formed on his lips.

“It’s alright Bella,” He said, his voice low and assuring. “Do not worry too much about me. You have made a lot of sacrifices for me, this,” He gestured at the uniform. “Is little. As long as I will be able to accompany you tonight then it’s a sacrifice worth making.”

He took the uniform from Sienna’s hand and she snarled. “Deceiving my daughter suits you so well but you can’t deceive us. We know your kind. You just want to free load off us.”

Maxwell raised a brow. “Do not deem your family so important. Without Arabella, you all are nothing.”

“You…” Sienna’s face almost exploded with fury.

“Mom, don’t be bothered with him,” Mike said. “We can’t afford to be late or we will offend grandfather.”

Sienna nodded.

…

The Zade mansion was covered in beautiful decorations for the 80th birthday of the Patriarch George Zade. Various elites were tripping in with expend gifts, George’s eyes shone with delight as he acknowledged their wishes.

“A divine healing bracelet from Japan that grants long life and peace to the wearer from the Fords family. Happy birthday Mr. Zade.”

“Your love for rare and exquisite collections is well known, here is a very prized painting from the 16th century from the Hades family. May you live long, Mr Zade!”

“A very special robe made from the finest silk from the Kings Family. May your days be lived out in happiness!”

“A check of $50 million from the Yates Family. May your days on earth be more prosperous!”

Soon, it was time for the immediate family to give their gifts.

“Happy birthday father, may you live long!” Theodore stepped forward by right and gave his gift to his father with a wide smile but George casually waved him away, hurriedly giving his gift to a servant that stood close by.

Theodore pursed his lips, bowing his head as he and Sienna walked away. His younger brother, Fred snickered as he walked pass him.

“Still fighting for father’s approval?” He laughed. “Just forget about it. After all you should be thinking about how to feed the added mouth in your family.”

Fred casted a glance at Maxwell. However, Maxwell’s eyes were fixed on Ashley. His fist held onto the tray in his hand, bending it as his jaw tightened. He hadn’t forgotten the bruising and thugs.

Arabella’s hand reached out to him and she shook her head. Ashley scoffed, sending a deep look of hatred Arabella’s way.

Fred and his children walked forward and handed their gifts to George. George received them warmly, a deep contrast to the reception he had given to Theodore and his family.

A young man stepped forward and the crowd began to whisper.

“Isn’t that Nathan Black?”

“Yes. That’s him. I heard that he is now held in high regard by the Vallis family and has been promoted by them to the general manager of all their companies in the city.”

“Wow. He has indeed climbed to a great height.”

The whispers reached Maxwell and his eyes narrowed on Nathan.

So he was working for the Vallis family now, he thought.

From his intels, he had gotten more information about the Vallis and he had known about Nathan. His father was a reformist politician that had been murdered in cold blood by the Vallis family. His brows furrowed as he wondered what would make Nathan stand with a family who had his father killed.

George Zade stared at Nathan with pride and respect in his eyes. “Welcome Mr Black, I am honored by your presence.”

Nathan smiled proudly, his shoulders aloof. “I couldn’t afford to miss it.” He snapped his fingers and a man entered with a wrapped gift. “I brought a little something for you.”

Nathan signaled to the man beside him to unveil the gift. As the wrapping fell to the floor, the crowd was mesmerized by the glow of the gold frame. It was a painting of a lone phoenix rising from a bed of blue embers.

“This is the Azure Rebirth,” Nathan annouced. “It was commissioned by the last Emperor of the Northern Dynasty for his private chambers. It was thought to be lost in the Great Fire of 1922. I spent two years and over $15 million at a private auction in Geneva to secure this for you, Mr. Zade.”

The crowd gasped. $15 million was no longer just a gift. It was a statement of power. George Zade’s hands tremble as he leaned forward from his mahogany high chair. "The Azure Rebirth... the legendary masterpiece of Master Lin?"

“Indeed,” A sharp voice echoed through the hall.

The crowd gave way as an elder man with silver stick, dressed in a white flowing robe stepped forward. Every elite in the room bowed their head slightly. This was Master Holloway, the supreme authority on Eastern artifacts and the man whose word could turn a piece of canvas into a national treasure.

“Master Holloway,” George Zade exclaimed, his voice filled with respect. “Please, tell us. Is this piece the original? I find it hard to believe.”

Holloway adjusted his glasses, studying the painting. The crowd went silent with anticipation at his next words. Finally, he let out a small, admiring smile. "The brushwork... the unique pigment made from crushed lapis lazuli... it is unmistakable. This is not just a painting, it is a piece of history. Mr Black, your eye for quality is as legendary as your wealth. This is the finest object I have seen in twenty years."

Nathan beamed, looking over at Arabella, his eyes shining with lust and possessiveness. “Only the best for the family of the woman I intend to marry.”

Maxwell’s eyes shimmed the painting and his brows shot up and he couldn’t help but laugh attracting the attention of others to him.

“Is something funny, waiter?” Master Holloway turned to look at Maxwell, a disdainful look set across his face.

Maxwell didn’t lower his gaze, instead he met Holloway’s eyes with a calm expression. "I know who is supposed to have painted it. I also know that the original Azure Rebirth was painted on silk, not hemp canvas. And the blue embers? They shouldn't be glowing. The original used vegetable dye which is supposed to have faded to a dull grey over a century."

The room went silent.

Master Holloway’s face turned red, his body shook with anger as he spoke. “You dare? A common servant who likely can’t read a history book is lecturing me on the Northern Dynasty?!”

Nathan laughed, a sharp, mocking sound. "Let him talk, Master Holloway. He’s just a jealous beggar trying to sound important because his own gift is probably a handful of dirt he picked up at a cheap mall."

"He's right, Nathan," Sienna chimed in, her voice dripping with venom. "He’s just a wretched nobody who wants attention. Please, ignore him."

Maxwell simply shrugged, his expression one of bored dominance. "Ignorance is a choice, Master Holloway. I’m just curious to know how much Nathan paid you to verify a forgery."