Chapter 396 - No Mark
"Hahaha! This is the first time I've heard anyone say that something is a replica because of how perfect it is! This is ridiculous!"
"Exactly! He's clearly spouting nonsense. I can't believe I thought he knew his stuff when it came to antiques!"
"Haha. He probably Googled that information and memorized it off a Wiki page so that he could pretend to be an expert in front of us. This is nonsense! This person is so unethical!"
...
Everyone started mocking and laughing at Lucas.
A trace of disappointment appeared in Alexis's eyes.
But unlike others, she didn't think that Lucas was purely spouting nonsense because those familiar with antiques would know that it was indeed difficult for antique masterpieces to be perfect and flawless due to the creation process and preservation methods used in ancient times.
But Alexis wasn't convinced that the cauldron was a replica simply because it was too flawless.
Lucas suddenly said, "Of course that's not the only reason. Everyone, you can turn this blue cloisonné enameled three-legged cauldron over and take a careful look at its bottom. You'll know why I said it's a replica."
"Bottom? What can there be on the bottom?"
"Beats me. The exhibits here are inside glass display cases. No one can see what's inside!"
...
Indeed, each and every single exhibit in this antique exhibition was inside an individual glass display case in order to prevent people from accidentally knocking over or breaking the exorbitant pieces. Each display case could only be unlocked with a specific key.
"Someone, unlock and open this display case!" Alexis ordered without any hesitation.
"Yes, Miss Cole!" A bodyguard behind her immediately answered and turned around to go look for the person in charge of the exhibition.
Alexis looked at Lucas's calm expression and suddenly said, "I didn't expect you to know so much about antiques! Do you want to come work for me? I guarantee that you won't be underpaid! I'll offer you an annual salary of a hundred and fifty thousand with other benefits and bonuses. How does that sound?"
Everyone looked over with shock written all over their faces.
They didn't expect Alexis to not only not chase Lucas out but even offer him the chance to work for her!
Although an annual salary of $150,000 was peanuts to business magnates like them, it was considered a managerial-level salary for most enterprises!
More importantly, it was a job offer from the Coles!
As long as they could work for the Coles, they would be far superior to the senior executives of ordinary companies!
They all thought that Lucas was really lucky!
Everyone stared at Lucas, green with envy.
But Lucas smiled and wasn't moved at all. "I'm sorry, but neither you nor your family is qualified to let me work for you!"
"!" Everyone widened their mouths in shock, almost not daring to believe what they heard.
Lucas actually dared to say that the entire Cole family was not qualified to let him work for them. This was simply too arrogant! How dare he say it in front of Miss Cole? He must be tired of living!
But to their surprise, Alexis was merely stunned for a moment before soon saying smilingly, "Haha, you're much more untamed than I imagined! Not bad!"
Lucas frowned slightly. She sounds like she knows me or has heard about me before.
At this moment, two people in charge of the exhibition scurried over. According to Alexis's instructions, they opened the display case and carefully took out the blue cloisonné enameled three-legged cauldron. They then turned it over and revealed the bottom of the cauldron.
Alexis stared at the bottom of the furnace and carefully scrutinized it a few times while the people around them craned their necks to see what was on the bottom. This allowed Lucas to confirm that the cauldron was indeed a replica.
"There's no mark on the bottom of the cauldron," Lucas reminded kindly.
"Mark?"
"What mark?"
"Never heard of such a thing…"
The people standing around hadn't done much research on antiques, so most of them didn't understand what exactly Lucas meant.
But the Coles had built their business empire off of antiques, so Alexis naturally understood the technical jargon and what Lucas meant. Her gaze fixed on the cauldron.
"There really isn't a mark!" Her expression became rather sullen.
But many people around were still confused.
Lucas explained kindly, "The so-called mark refers to the traces left behind during the shaping process of porcelain, pottery, enamelware, and other antique pieces. Due to the limitations of ancient craftsmanship, there would be marks of varying sizes at the bottom of the items at the end of the sculpting process.
"After the level of craftsmanship improved in the late Qing Dynasty, such marks gradually disappeared. The items produced closer to the modern era are even more perfect."
Cheyenne came to a sudden realization at this moment too. "No wonder you said that this cauldron is a replica because it's too flawless. It turns out it's because of the mark!"
Lucas nodded and said to Cheyenne with a smile, "Yes!"
At this point, even those who didn't know a thing about antiques understood what Lucas meant.
Given the level of craftsmanship in that period of the Ming Dynasty, it was definitely impossible to produce enamelware that didn't have any marks at the bottom. The fact that the blue cloisonné enameled three-legged cauldron in front of them was spotless confirmed that it was absolutely impossible for it to have been a genuine item from the Ming Dynasty!
Although it seemed like an unbelievable reason at first, it was actually justifiable and convincing!
Everyone looked at Lucas and then at Alexis. They were all certain that Lucas really got it right!
The blue cloisonné enameled three-legged cauldron was indeed a high-grade replica made in a later era!
But although Lucas was indeed right, they felt that Alexis wouldn't forgive him.
After all, he had put the Coles to shame because the item they had thought was a genuine, highly-valuable antique had now been proven to be a high-grade replica. Not only did its value decrease drastically, but it also affected the Coles' reputation.
Just as the crowd was making guesses about how the lofty Alexis would deal with Lucas, she walked toward him and bowed to him respectfully. "I'm so sorry. It's indeed true that this exhibit of ours isn't genuine. I sincerely apologize for my disrespectful attitude and doubts about you just now!"
Everyone was flabbergasted!
The esteemed Alexis Cole actually bowed and apologized to Lucas, the young man whom everyone called a good-for-nothing!
Even Lucas was surprised.