4.1The Next Move

Lex barely had time to breathe before his phone buzzed again.

Jonathan.

Lex exhaled, shaking his head slightly before answering. "Tell me this isn't another exhibition."

Jonathan's dry chuckle came through the line. "Not yet. But a friend of mine at the Met wants to talk to you. She'll be calling in five minutes."

Lex arched a brow, already shifting gears. "The Met?"

"She's in charge of upcoming modern ink showcases. Word about your exhibition in China spread fast."

Lex smirked faintly. "They always do."

He tapped his fingers against the desk, already calculating. One foot in China. The other in New York.

Jonathan continued, "You interested?"

Lex glanced at the nearly empty box of his grandmother's chosen works, the remaining pieces stacked neatly beside it. Then at the rows of paintings set aside for transport.

"All the boxed art will need to be taken to the gallery." Lex's voice was crisp, precise. "And we need to do a Ling Jun event next month."

Jonathan hummed. "Big move. You sure?"

Lex's smirk was sharp. "It's time."

There was no hesitation. No second-guessing.

"We're putting the remaining Wave Series on display for six months." Lex continued, his mind moving faster than his words. "Some were sold, and a few are on loan to China—I just finalized it with the embassy."

Jonathan let out a low whistle. "So, a mix of private collections, national exhibitions, and Met consideration? That's power, Latham."

Lex leaned back, running a hand through his hair. "That's leverage."

"And the bamboo series?" Jonathan prompted.

"We use many of them." Lex's tone was firm. "Let the collectors see the evolution."

There was a beat of silence, then Jonathan chuckled. "Damn. You really are turning this into an empire."

Lex's smirk didn't waver. "It was never going to be anything less."

Jonathan hummed in approval. "Alright, I'll line everything up. But first, take the Met call."

Lex checked the time. One minute left.

His phone buzzed right on time.

He answered smoothly. "Latham."

A crisp, refined voice greeted him. "Mr. Latham, this is Evangeline Devereaux from The Met."

Lex arched a brow. Fancy name. Fancy institution.

"I've been reviewing the Chinese ink paintings recently sold at auction." Her tone was poised, but there was a distinct curiosity beneath it. "It's a remarkable collection. I assumed someone in your family must have been a dedicated collector."

Lex smirked faintly. "Something like that."

"Odd, though." She continued. "I don't recall receiving an invitation to that auction."

Lex's smirk widened. There it was. The thinly veiled irritation of someone accustomed to exclusive access—and realizing they had missed something important.

"It was private," he said easily. "Not everything is meant for a public bidding war."

A pause. Then, smoothly—"I understand. Though, I also heard you have modern works that may be available for sale."

Lex exhaled through his nose. Straight to the point.

"We do," he confirmed. "I assume Jonathan told you where they were stored?"

Evangeline hummed. "Yes. He also sent me the photos."

Lex chuckled, shaking his head. "Then you know most of them have been sitting in the basement, attic, and shed for years."

"I did notice." There was something almost amused in her tone. "I must admit, I've never considered world-class contemporary pieces being kept next to garden tools."

Lex shrugged. "They had to go somewhere."

A pause. Then—"We'd like to send a team to evaluate them."

Lex leaned back. "Fine."

She seemed momentarily surprised by how quickly he agreed. "Wonderful. We can arrange a visit—"

"At the Maddox Art Gallery," Lex cut in smoothly. "Jonathan will handle the details."

Evangeline hesitated. "Not at your estate?"

Lex smirked. "I prefer to keep things organized. Jonathan will be archiving the modern pieces before we let many go. It'll take a month to properly catalog everything."

A thoughtful hum. "Understood. And an early viewing?"

"You're welcome anytime."

A pause. Then Evangeline's voice carried something new—genuine intrigue.

"Mr. Latham… I have a feeling your collection is far more extensive than people realize."

Lex smirked. "You have no idea."

Chapter 3 – Moving the Unseen

Lex had barely set his phone down when it buzzed again.

Jonathan.

"Latham."

Jonathan let out a short laugh. "You work fast. Evangeline's already mobilizing."

Lex smirked. "Didn't expect her to drag her feet."

"She's sending a team of interns to help with the move and cataloging." Jonathan's tone was somewhere between amused and impressed. "Apparently, she doesn't trust us not to 'misplace something historically significant in a broom closet.'"

Lex exhaled through his nose. "She saw the basement photos, didn't she?"

"Oh, absolutely." Jonathan snorted. "I think she nearly had a stroke when she realized half the pieces were stacked next to old furniture."

Lex shook his head. "Good. Let her interns panic over it."

Jonathan chuckled. "They'll start packing up the basement collection tomorrow. Once everything's at the gallery, we can start proper archiving."

"And the attic?" Lex prompted.

Jonathan let out a slow breath. "Give it a week. We'll need more hands to properly assess everything up there."

Lex wasn't surprised. Some of those pieces hadn't been touched in over a decade. Framing, condition reports, documentation—it would all take time.

But Jonathan had something else in mind.

"Listen, while the Met waits, let's give them a preview." His tone was thoughtful. "The shed. The giant."

Lex's brows lifted slightly. "You think they'll go for it?"

"Why not? Those pieces are exactly their type. The ones Vivian liked—not loved."

Lex hummed. Vivian Maddox had impeccable taste, but even she had a hierarchy. Some paintings had been cherished, guarded like treasures. Others? Admired, but ultimately stored away.

Jonathan continued, "They're still valuable, still historically significant—but not something you need to hold onto."

Lex smirked faintly. "And if the Met wants them?"

"Then we let them buy." Jonathan's voice carried a grin. "A high-profile institution acquiring Latham-Maddox pieces? That only drives up the value of what you keep."

Smart.

Lex exhaled through his nose, nodding. "Fine. Let them view the shed first."

Jonathan laughed. "Good. Because I'm already doing overtime for this."

Lex chuckled. "Get used to it."

Jonathan groaned. "I hate you."

"No, you don't."

The line clicked off.

Lex smirked, tossing his phone onto the desk.

Time to make the Met pay.