Ultimate Tycoon: Building the Richest Empire with System and Heroines-Chapter 49: Mosalina by Da Goatcy

The morning sun peeked gently through the curtains as a doctor unwrapped the last of Ethan’s bandages.Standing beside him was a familiar nurse, whose bosoms Ethan grabbed.

The doctor pressed his fingers along Ethan’s arm, rotating it carefully.

"Raise your shoulder."

Ethan did as told.

"Good," the doctor nodded, moving on to examine the bruises and cuts. After a few more tests, he finally stepped back and gave a satisfied look.

"Your recovery is going well. The bruises are healing, muscles are responding properly. You won’t need the bandages anymore," he said. "Give it three to four more days, and you’ll be back to full form."

Ethan nodded. "Thank you, Doctor."

The doctor turned to Alistair, who had been silently watching from the corner. "I’ll take my leave now, Master Hayes."

Alistair gave a brief nod and walked out with the doctor. Clarissa and Damian left shortly after, offering Ethan a few polite words. Mina had wanted to stay but was dragged away for lessons.

The room quieted.

Gregory hadn’t shown up at all.

Typical.

He probably found somewhere to hide using his master’s connections.

It wouldn’t be hard. The moment things turn bad, rats always know where to crawl.

Ethan leaned back and let out a slow breath. Then his eyes landed on the rolled-up painting resting on the side table. He walked over, carefully unrolling it, revealing the detailed image beneath.

It was a portrait of a woman,elegant and serene. Her half-smile carried an unreadable charm, her eyes calm yet sharp, as if watching you and looking through you at the same time. The background was a blend of soft browns and faded greens, her hands folded neatly on her lap.

Simple... yet strangely captivating.

"System," Ethan said aloud, "do you know anything about this painting?"

A light chime rang out.

[Of course. This painting is known as Mosalina,a legendary artwork created 200–300 years ago by the renowned artist ’Da Goatcy.]

[It was widely revered among aristocrats and nobles of its era. Rumors claimed that the painting brought fortune and prosperity to any household it resided in.]

[Many powerful families once fought to obtain it.]

Ethan’s eyes narrowed slightly.

A legendary artwork... and it was sitting on a rag cloth, sold by a scammer in a flea market.

Just how did something this rare end up in that guy’s hands?

He clicked his tongue.

Well, it doesn’t matter now. It’s mine.

He stared at the painting again.

But how do I turn this into actual money?

Even if the system confirms it’s authentic... no one’s going to buy it unless I prove its value.

He paced slowly around the room.

I need someone. Someone who knows how to deal with antiques. Someone who’s either obsessed with paintings or has deep connections in art circles.

But more importantly... someone I can trust.

His eyes drifted back to the calm face of Mosalina.

She looked like she was smiling at him again.

A painting that brings luck, huh? Guess it already started doing that,saved it from Gregory’s greedy hands.

Ethan stared at the rolled-up painting on the table, fingers tapping lightly against his leg.

Looks like I need help... old man Hayes.

Down the hall, Alistair and Albert were deep in quiet conversation.

"Albert," Alistair said, hands behind his back. "You followed him. What did you think?"

Albert paused, his voice steady but thoughtful. "Sir, it was... odd. In the entire outing, he simply walked around the city, ate food, and played with Miss Mina."

"But?" Alistair pressed, narrowing his eyes.

Albert hesitated. "But... he asked me to follow that boy Gregory’s car. We ended up in a small, worn market. Ethan didn’t buy anything flashy,he walked straight to a back alley vendor and bought a painting."

Alistair raised a brow. "A painting?"

Albert nodded. "Yes, sir. And not just that,Gregory was about to purchase it first. Ethan intercepted it and went as far as bidding $7,000 for it."

Alistair blinked, stunned. "Seven... thousand?"

Before Albert could elaborate, a calm voice interrupted from behind.

"Sir Alistair, do you have a moment?"

Ethan stepped into the room with that ever-confident half-smile.

"Of course," Alistair replied, gesturing to the sofa. "Come in, Ethan."

Ethan sat, leaning forward casually.

"I wanted to ask... Do you happen to know someone who’s fond of antiques? Paintings, relics, anything old. Someone obsessed with that kind of stuff."

Alistair and Albert exchanged a brief glance.

"I do know someone," Alistair said slowly. "Why?"

"It’s about that painting I bought," Ethan replied. "You’ll understand soon enough. But before anything, I need that expert here. Can you call him?"

Alistair studied him for a moment, then gave a curt nod. "I’ll make the call."

------------------------------------------

An hour later, the door to the Hayes mansion opened.

In stepped an elderly man with a long beige overcoat, silver hair combed neatly back, and sharp, calculating eyes hidden behind circular glasses. A brown leather bag hung at his side, weighed down by tools of his trade.

Alistair greeted him with a chuckle. "Good to see you, old frail. You’re still walking like your spine’s made of steel."

The man grinned, voice gravelly but strong. "And you haven’t dropped dead yet. Still sharp-tongued as ever, Alistair."

They exchanged a firm handshake.

"Come, sit," Alistair said, leading him into the main lounge where Clarissa, Damian, Natalie, and Mina were already seated.

"Ethan, this is Professor Virgil Knox," Alistair said. "Old friend, antique maniac, and probably the only person who can spot a fake before it’s even painted."

Virgil took the seat with ease, eyes scanning the room. "So, where is the item?"

Ethan stepped forward and handed him the rolled painting.

Virgil looked to Alistair and asked, "And who is this boy?"

"A special guest of the Hayes family and the owner of this painting" Alistair said.

The old man nodded and unrolled the painting carefully on the coffee table. His hands moved with the care of a surgeon. He pulled out a few compact tools, lenses, and a small light device from his bag and began examining the canvas surface.

Ten minutes passed in silence.

Then suddenly—

"Ah-ha! Eureka! Eureka!" The old man leapt up like someone had zapped him.

Mina jumped. Natalie’s eyes widened. Alistair simply sighed, rubbing his temples. "Here we go again..."

"I knew it!" the man laughed like a mad professor. "I knew it when you called me, Alistair. This—this right here—is the real deal!"

He turned sharply toward Ethan, pointing a gloved finger. "Boy, do you want to make some money with me?"

Ethan blinked, caught off guard. "What?"

"Why don’t you auction this?" the man said, eyes gleaming behind his glasses. "This isn’t just some old paint on paper. This is Mosalina, by Da Goatcy. The real one. A piece nobles fought over centuries ago. If this hits the right floor, you’re looking at a minimum of seven figures."

Clarissa gasped. Even Natalie looked shaken for once. Damian straightened his posture. Albert remained still but visibly attentive.

Ethan smirked. "Auction it, huh..."

He looked down at the painting, its faint smile staring back at him.

A/n- Thanks for reading. Shower some love ( greedy author)

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