Chapter 126: Rookie of Boston Red Sox (1)

The governor of New York could have had members of the famed appraisal committee to appraise whatever he had. However, he personally asked about Haejin through Eric. That was surprising.

“You told him about me?”

“That’s the funny part. I’ve been too busy with this Portrait of Titus that I haven’t had the time to meet politicians. So, of course, I never told him about you. But he called me personally, I don’t even know how he found out you were here.”

“Did he say he knew a lot about me?”

“Normally, I would say of course he doesn’t know much about you. In this country, you are not that famous as an appraiser. There were a few articles about you being the only Picasso’s painting owner in Korea, but that’s not impressive for an appraiser. The auction where you met me was a private auction, and words about what you did there didn’t travel far… but if he didn’t know about you, he wouldn’t have called me and asked to meet you.”

“Right?”

“And when I asked what he wanted to have appraised, that sly man didn’t say anything. Funny, huh?”

It was more interesting than funny.

“It is.”

“That man is also a scrooge. I have told him you charge more than other appraisers, but he might change his mind after you appraised whatever he has. Personally, I think you shouldn’t meet him.”

“Aren’t you saying that because he didn’t tell you what it is?”

Haejin asked, half-jokingly, but Eric looked away.

“Do you think I am that stingy? Khmm… anyway, do what you want. You’ve come all the way to New York, so it wouldn’t hurt to meet the governor. Who knows? Maybe he’ll help you when you are in need.”

“But you just said I shouldn’t meet him.”

“Howard Johns is not someone you want to get to know, but the governor of New York is.”

That was a very cold, but reasonable answer.

“Okay, I will make time before the auction. I can’t meet him after that, I will go back to Korea immediately.”

Haejin glanced at Hassena as he was speaking. She lightly smiled as if she liked that answer.

“Well, someone’s about to move to Ko…”

Eric was about to make a joke, but he quickly shut his mouth at seeing Saliyah frown.

“Khmm… anyway, I will tell him so. Then I should go… as you are already here, eat dinner.”

Eric then left. Hassena, Saliyah and Haejin remained there.

“Then let’s eat together. Will you join us?”

Saliyah coldly shook her head at Haejin’s offer.

“It’s okay. I will eat alone.”

“Oh, okay. Then…”

Haejin called the waiter, and Hassena made Saliyah leave. She left without protesting as it wasn’t the first time.

“You should eat halal food, right?”

Hassena hesitated and answered.

“Umm… I should as there are eyes watching.”

She was really determined to convert herself.

“Are you really going to be okay with it?”

A Muslim must risk one’s life to convert. Once it is known, he or she cannot escape death.

“I’ve experienced a miracle I couldn’t feel as a Muslim. Now I question all religions, not just Islam. How can I sincerely believe in Allah?”

“But… your life might be in danger.”

“I know, but I have made my decision. I have to help you… but I am not planning to openly announce my belief, so don’t worry. I am being truthful only to you.”

“Hu… okay.”

Thankfully, the restaurant had prepared a halal meal for Hassena.

She kept smiling even before the food arrived. She seemed glad to have a meal with Haejin. Of course, it wasn’t bad for Haejin, either.

When they were almost finished, Hassena whispered, “I will not call you till the auction. There are people watching me, so I should be careful.”

That was what Haejin also wanted.

“Okay then, as for the auction…”

“Saliyah will call you. Go and find me there.”

“How are you going to bring it to your country after getting it?”

“I won’t. You should take its power before we go to Korea. Then, we can ask Mr. Holton to sell it again or exhibit it in your museum.”

“It must be very expensive…”

It had to be billions of won at least, so Haejin couldn’t see how Hassena could just hand it to him. However, she smiled and spoke as if it was nothing.

“No one would blame me for giving you such a gift. My investment company is also quite big. You are about to get the richest woman of the world as your wife, so you should be happy.”

She was rich. So, Haejin was glad at the thought of her funding his museum.

After the meal, Haejin returned to his room, and Eric called him. They were about to meet Howard Johns.

It was tomorrow’s lunch… it showed Howard Johns needed Haejin’s help very urgently.

The next day, Eric Holton was waiting in his car.

“Do you know only a few people have me waiting?”

Haejin smiled.

“Let’s go. I skipped breakfast, so I’m famished. I hope he won’t make me appraise before offering us lunch?”

“He is such a scrooge, so he might do that. You should have eaten breakfast.”

“I slept through it.”

Haejin had slept for long. Probably because of the necklace, but his body was neither tired nor full of energy.

He could use magic without problem… he thought it must have been to recover the consumed energy, but he was slightly worried as he couldn’t be sure.

“Huh… you are about to meet the governor of New York, and you overslept? Well, you are the man who took part in Princess Hassena’s scandal, so meeting with a governor would be nothing.”

“Be careful. There’s no scandal.”

Haejin made it clear Eric was wrong, but he didn’t buy it.

“That’s not what her eyes said. She looked like a girl from a movie who has been waiting for her lover. I could see that at first sight.”

“I thought you didn’t know about women’s heart.”

“But I should know at least that much. Anyway, you have my support.”

“There’s nothing to support!”

“But I am supporting you. Can’t I even support you?”

They quarreled like that on the way. When they arrived at Howard’s mansion, it was early lunchtime.

They were brought in, and a tall gentleman took a cigar out of his mouth and offered his hand.

“Welcome. I am Howard Johns.”

He was more than 190cm tall and was big. Most man would look small next to him.

His voice was deep, and he had wrinkles around his eyes, but his gaze was sharp.

“Nice to meet you, I am Park Haejin from Korea. I heard you were looking for me?”

“Yes, a friend of mine told me about you. Do you know Anthony Goldberg?”

Haejin remembered him. Apparently, Eric’s least favorite trillionaire was close to Howard.

“Yes, I know him. However, I never told him I was in New York. And he told you about me? That’s weird.”

Howard laughed and sat down.

“Haha, it wasn’t about you. Think about it. Who would be the most interested in Princess Hassena of the Arab Emirates coming here?”

“Well, I…”

“It would be Anthony Goldberg, the chairman of Barneys New York. He kept an eye on the princess as she left JFK and went to the hotel. And then he spotted you.”

“Oh… but what is Barneys New York?”

“Huh? You don’t know Barneys New York?”

Howard frowned in surprise while Eric explained.

“Barneys New York is the biggest and the most famous department store in New York. The Princesses of Arab go there when they come to New York. I forgot about it, but Anthony must be even more thrilled than me about the princess.”

“I see.”

Haejin nodded. Then, food started to arrive at the table.

“Now that you understand, you don’t need to find it strange. I hope you like this meal.”

“I am not a picky eater, but what kind of antique do you want me to appraise?”

“Let’s eat first and then talk.”

Haejin welcomed that. The meal was good, although it was a little salty like all American food.

Haejin drank water to get rid of the salty taste. Two men then carefully brought a painting covered with cloth.

“Do you want to know if it’s real? Or do you want to find out how much it is? Or is it about the artist who drew it?”

Howard waved his hand to make the men leave. Then, he spoke to Eric.

“I will trust you to not tell anyone about what you are about to see.”

“Of course.”

Eric promised seriously, which was unlike his usual attitude. Howard answered Haejin’s question only then.

“Actually, I got this painting as a political contribution. I don’t know much about art, so after I got it, I couldn’t hide my joy for a long time. I’m a big fan of baseball.”

“What? Baseball?”

Haejin asked back in surprise, but Howard laughed and continued.

“Once you see it, you will know why I mentioned that. Anyway, I just kept it to myself for some time, and then I showed it to Anthony. He was surprised and told me that this painting was worth more than 20 million dollars, and it had been on auction just a few years ago. But someone just gave me that painting, so of course, I want to know if it’s real.”

“However, there are many other appraisers. Why did you choose me?”

“Just think about it. If this is real, then I have received more than 20 million dollars of political contribution. The public would want to know who gave me so much money. And if it’s the opposite? I will be a fool who got a fake painting as contribution. How can I believe American appraisers to keep my secret when they are so close to media companies?”

Haejin could see why he had called him. Bringing someone from outside was the best way when there’s no one you can fully trust.

“But what if I go back to Korea and announce the truth? Shouldn’t you be even more worried about me as I’m a foreigner?”

“You are clever. Yes, you would be out of my reach when you go back. But I don’t think you would tell this to the public.”

“Why?”

“I’ve already kept your secret. So, you must keep a secret of my own, right?”

What was he talking… Haejin wondered, but the next second, he realized Howard had watched Hassena’s every move. Then, he had to know about what was between her and Haejin.

Whether he knew they were about to get married or not, Hassena would be put in danger if he spread a rumor about them being in the same car and the same room.

“You are very careful.”

“All politicians are. Then, let me show you this.”

He uncovered the painting.

“Boston Red Sox pals.”