After divorcing my celebrity wife, I became the world's richest person

The scene suddenly erupted into excitement, and everyone cheered jubilantly.

Archimedes was a person from ancient Greece, and his construction blueprints were absolutely invaluable treasures.

Not to mention one billion, even ten billion would find buyers to collect them.

"I bid two billion!"
Experience new stories on empire

As soon as the first person made an offer, the scene instantly became lively.

Cardos stood there, eyes wide, suddenly at a loss.

Just moments ago, he had held this priceless treasure in his hands, and he had sold it for just over two million.

"Wait a minute!" Cardos rushed over, interrupting the transaction.

"This drawing is mine. We didn't sign any contract during our deal, so I don't acknowledge the transaction just now."

The crowd cast disdainful glances at him.

Whether the deal counted or not, the transaction between them was about a fake Sunflower, but what appeared before everyone now were Archimedes' construction blueprints.

This had nothing to do with Cardos, contract or no contract.

Mengluos promptly stepped forward and pushed Cardos away.

"Don't disturb Mr. Chen's auction!"

He promptly expelled him from the center of the hall.

The merchants on this floor, though not considered top-tier tycoons, still held astronomical amounts of assets in their hands.

Before long, the drawing was sold for eighteen billion.

Mengluos was overwhelmed with gratitude towards Chen Yu.

He had thought that Cardos would swindle him severely, but not only had he recouped his losses, he had made so much more.

Just as he was about to express his gratitude, Chen Yu suddenly took out the promissory notes he had just acquired, counting out eight billion for Mengluos.

"The origin of that painting was with you, so you deserve a share of the money from its sale."

Mengluos's eyes widened in shock; he hadn't expected Chen Yu to be so generous.

"Mr. Chen, I can't take this money!"

Chen Yu didn't bother with that and directly stuffed the promissory notes into Mengluos's hands.

"Take it. It must be fate that we've met."

As they were talking, two staff members rushed over in a hurry.

"Are you two the ones who found Archimedes' blueprints? Could you please come with us? Our master would like to meet you."

Chen Yu frowned immediately; these two looked like they were staff from the ship. Could it be the captain wanted to see him?

But he was currently worried about not having a proper place; meeting the captain might even land him a ship ticket.

Just as he was about to follow the two, Mengluos beside him suddenly stopped him.

"Mr. Chen, these men are from the Dracula Family; don't go with them."

Chen Yu raised an eyebrow, with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

The Dracula Family was an ancient lineage, rumored to be the ancestors of vampires.

In fact, this family was a royal family in the West during the Middle Ages, although the territory they controlled was too small, and they were soon exterminated.

However, when this family held power, they amassed a great amount of wealth, all hidden deep in the mountains; after their nation fell, they hid in the mountains, living a secluded life.

Up to this generation, although they were not a very famous family, they were still wealthy merchants.

"Why can't I go? Could this family really be vampires?"

Mengluos didn't know how to explain, he leaned in close to Chen Yu and stuffed a badge into his hand.

"Mr. Chen, I won't be accompanying you. If they mean you any harm, just show them this badge."

Chen Yu's face was full of question marks, and he immediately scanned Mengluos's brain information with his system.

After all that, it turned out that this guy had once been duped by the Dracula Family.

It wasn't entirely their fault, as all the items Mengluos collected were fakes, which naturally required some explanation when brought there.

As for that badge, it was given to him by the Dracula Family.

It was akin to an ancient indulgence.

Chen Yu didn't say much more, just fiddled with the badge for a bit and then followed the two staff members up to the third deck of the ship.

By comparison, this cabin was even more luxurious.

Various decorations were dazzling to the eye, and each passenger had their own private room.

It wasn't long before Chen Yu was brought to a reasonably spacious area.

A pale middle-aged man sat there, swirling his glass of red wine.

"Mr. Chen! It really is you!"

Chen Yu frowned slightly, "Do we know each other?"

"My name is Hansis Dracula. I attended a banquet at William's family and once had the honor of witnessing Mr. Chen's elegance."

Chen Yu nodded, symbolically shook hands with the other party, and then sat down aside.

"May I ask why Mr. Hansis has sought me out?"

Hansis didn't say much, and directly took out a painting, only the size of a palm, from the safe.

This painting was sealed in a beautifully crafted frame, additionally protected by two layers of bulletproof glass.

"I had just boarded the ship when I attended an appraisal event and purchased this rose painting! However, my staff told me it's a forgery and I would like Mr. Chen's help to take a look."

Chen Yu took the painting and looked it over carefully.

Even by content alone, this painting would be considered a rare treasure, but the oil paints and style of the painting seemed out of place.

It did seem a bit like a forgery.

However, looking at the paper material, there was no sign of artificial aging, and it possessed a strong sense of historical depth.

"Mr. Hansis, from a professional standpoint, this painting does indeed have the suspicion of being a forgery, but from another level, it is undoubtedly genuine."

Hansis looked puzzled, "Mr. Chen, I don't understand what you're saying."

Chen Yu proceeded to dismantle the frame and the glass.

"It's just that you've protected the painting too well. The appraisal must have been done through the frame and the protective glass, and so it appeared slightly distorted! You just need to remove these unnecessary things."

Only when the painting inside was exposed to the air did everyone breathe a sigh of relief.

This was indeed genuine.

"Impossible! My appraisal skills can never be wrong. Even through a frame and protective glass, there wouldn't be a mistake."

A scholarly looking middle-aged man with glasses stood nearby.

At first glance, this person really seemed like a literary figure, but upon closer inspection, one would find something sleazy about him.

Hansis quickly stood up, "This is Mr. Doro, my chief appraiser. He has identified hundreds of world-famous paintings."

Chen Yu nodded and then ignored him, going about his business, reassembling the frame and protective glass on the rose painting.

Doro, as if greatly insulted, stepped forward and seized Chen Yu by the shoulder.