Chapter 8: Antique Street Bargain! A Hundred Thousand Times Profit!

These stall owners have been here for a long time and are used to the usual tricks of this particular vendor. They've seen it all before. Yet, every time a new sucker appears, they can't help but feel a pang of sympathy. While they also sell replicas and fakes, their prices are reasonable. They cater to curious amateurs or collectors who just want something decorative, so they don't feel guilty. But this vendor is different. Not only does she sell fakes, but the prices are exorbitant. She scams whoever she can, even passing off severely damaged items as valuable. Of course, sympathy is one thing, but they won't intervene. Despite her age, this vendor has powerful connections through her children. Offend her, and they'll be out of business.

"Oh! I… I didn't mean to…" Benjamin feigned panic. His nervous demeanor made him look like a complete rookie. The vendor, an elderly woman, shot up from her seat and barked, "Intentional or not, you've ruined my masterpiece! You owe me $1 million!" "$1 million?!" Benjamin stared at her in shock, then looked utterly dejected. "I… I'm just a poor worker. I don't have that kind of money," he stammered, appearing genuinely remorseful. "How much do you have?" the woman snapped, her beady eyes fixed on Benjamin like a predator eyeing its prey. Benjamin shrank back, trembling as he held out his hand. The woman softened her tone, "$500,000 will do." Benjamin quickly shook his head. The woman's eyes widened, and she shouted, "$50,000? That's way too low! This is a $1 million painting! You're offering me $50,000?" Benjamin shook his head again, his face filled with despair. He took two steps back and whispered, "I don't even have $50,000…" The woman's expression darkened. She had finally found a sucker, but he was this broke? Still, if she couldn't get $50,000, even $5,000 would do. "Do you have $5,000?" she asked. "No… I only have $500…" Benjamin looked at her pitifully. The woman's eyes nearly popped out of her head. "$500? You're a grown man in your twenties, and you only have $500?" Benjamin nodded weakly, his body stiff with fear. He stammered, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to… Please don't call the police. I'll give you all $503 I have." Benjamin's pitiful act stirred sympathy in many onlookers and convinced the vendor that he truly only had $500. She looked at him disdainfully and snorted, "Fine, $500 it is. Keep the $3 and go buy yourself a bowl to beg with." Benjamin's face lit up with relief. He clasped his hands together and exclaimed, "Thank you, ma'am! You're so kind!" "Just remember that. Transfer the money now. And don't be so clumsy next time. If it weren't for me, you'd be in big trouble today." The woman rolled her eyes, thoroughly disgusted with Benjamin. This guy was so gullible, no wonder he only had $500. What a loser. Benjamin, as if afraid she'd change her mind, quickly transferred the $500, bowed to her, and hurried off with the damaged painting. The crowd let out a collective sigh. The stall owners felt sorry for Benjamin, the poor fool. He only had $503, and the woman had swindled $500 from him. How pitiful! If only they had followed Benjamin, they would have seen him exchange that $500 painting for millions. Their expressions would have been priceless. Meanwhile, Benjamin had already made his way through the crowd to the largest antique shop on the street—Treasure Antiques. The shop was bustling with customers, but Benjamin saw something entirely different. For instance, the balding middle-aged man had an interesting hidden hint: [He's a wealthy merchant from Clearwater County, worth $8 billion.] The couple walking by, with a significant age gap, had even more intriguing hints: [She's a gold digger. She comes from a wealthy family but enjoys being a mistress.] [He's a drifter. He often poses as a wealthy man to deceive women for money and favors.] Benjamin smirked at the pair and continued inside. A kind-looking, attractive woman brushed past him. When he saw the hidden hint about her, he broke into a cold sweat: [She's the prime suspect in the 709 serial murder case. She's been on the run for ten years, committing crimes along the way. The police are offering a $5 million reward for her capture.] He maintained his composure, occasionally glancing back to ensure she was gone. Once she left, he found a quiet corner and called the police. Soon, the sound of sirens approached, then faded near the antique shop. A few minutes later, the sirens sounded again, growing distant. During this time, Benjamin received two missed calls on his phone—undoubtedly from the police. He exchanged a few texts with them, arranging to collect the reward and a commendation the next day. Then, as if nothing had happened, he approached the counter and pulled out the damaged painting. "I'd like to sell this," he said. The young clerk gave him a dismissive look and went back to his work. The shopkeeper, however, happened to walk in from the back and frowned at the painting. Still, he approached Benjamin politely, "Young man, you want to sell this?" "Yes," Benjamin replied. The shopkeeper smiled, "You've made a mistake. This is clearly a fake, and it's badly damaged. It's not even suitable as a decoration." "I know, but what if I told you there's a genuine masterpiece hidden within this fake?" Benjamin said calmly. The shopkeeper's eyes widened, and he immediately became alert. The clerk also looked up, no longer dismissive. Under the astonished gaze of everyone present, Benjamin calmly tore open the fake painting, revealing a magnificent landscape painting. The crowd was stunned. Who would have thought there was another painting hidden inside the fake? The shopkeeper carefully took the landscape painting and examined it closely with a magnifying glass. After a while, he burst into laughter. "Young man, you have a keen eye! This is indeed an authentic work by the famous artist! I'm willing to pay $50 million for this painting!"