Chapter 54

"Dresden's collection includes works from a similar period. The techniques and decorations are different from those of the products made after the establishment of the Meissen porcelain factory."

"That's right. The curvature of the teapot and cup handles, and the grape leaf relief decorations, have more in common with Böttger's early failed works."

A third opinion was also offered.

"Even if it's not the first European porcelain, it deserves high praise for being one of Böttger's early completed works."

The debate continued.

Finally, the chairman of the appraisal committee, who had the final decision, put an end to it.

"According to the unanimous rule, the element of 'the first European porcelain' will be excluded from the evaluation."

His evaluation was as meticulous as his lean physique.

"Of course... I see."

The coordinator pursed his lips in disappointment, and the chairman asked as usual.

"What is the consignor's reserve price?"

"The client who entrusted the piece has set a minimum of $1.8 million."

"Hmm."

The chairman, chin in hand, fell into thought.

'$1.8 million. It's worth that much.'

The 'minimum guarantee,' which the auction house promises not to sell below, was also under the chairman's jurisdiction.

He made his decision.

"The minimum guarantee will be the same. $1.8 million."

"Alright. Does everyone agree?"

The other committee members nodded in response to the coordinator's question.

The chairman added.

"However, we will prioritize this piece for detailed analysis by the scientific appraisal team up until the day of the auction. Depending on the results, we will leave room to adjust the minimum guarantee."

"Understood. I'll handle it that way."

The coordinator ordered the interns.

"Next piece, please."

And he thought to himself.

It would be good to give a hint about the possibility of it being the first European porcelain to VIP clients.

But if we get lucky, and the appraisal results come out positively just before the auction day...

'Hehe.'

Working at an auction house really is a game of chance.

*

After two weeks of waiting, the auction day finally arrived.

I dressed in a fine suit with a reverent heart, something I hadn't done in a long time.

'This should do it.'

Leaving my room, usually dressed like a backpacker in a T-shirt, I felt my shoulders straighten.

"Oh, you look splendid."

Kim Gyu-tae, whom I met in the lobby, also seemed surprised.

"Mr. Lawyer, how have you been? It's been a while since I've seen you."

"That's true."

Kim Gyu-tae had been holed up in the hotel, working all the time.

Being a lawyer is a truly tough job.

"Shall we go?"

"Yes, the car sent by Christie's should be waiting."

The day after arriving in the U.S., the Christie's appraisal report arrived via courier.

'$1.8 million.'

The minimum guarantee matched the 2.2 billion I wanted. I was so excited that I almost jumped out of the hotel bed.

'Hehehe.'

Thanks to that, the disappointment of the 'first European' title being omitted from the description somewhat subsided.

Besides, if even the world's top appraisers couldn't match Tam and Coco, it was actually a gain.

'You guys are the best! I only need you!'

When we stepped out of the hotel lobby, a luxury sedan and driver sent by Christie's were waiting for us.

"#$%$%^."

"*#&*(@."

...Interpretation was Kim Gyu-tae's job.

Despite spending two weeks gesturing and pointing, English was still a struggle.

"Get in."

"Yes."

Click—

I opened the door and sat in the back.

Christie's treatment was as good as promised.

After the report came out, they covered all my accommodation expenses!

On the day of the auction, they even provided concierge service!

'Great... '

Leaning my arm on the window frame like a wealthy American, I leisurely watched the Manhattan streets.

"Get out."

...It took less than five minutes to arrive.

If I had known Christie's would provide all this, I would have chosen a hotel farther away with a better room.

'Can't be helped.'

Thus, we arrived at Christie's New York office.

The spider sculpture by Louise Bourgeois at the entrance, the massive limestone and bronze exterior, and the auction hall lobby that felt like a giant exhibition space.

Even on the day I entrusted the porcelain, I felt that the building itself was a work of art.

──Coco, Coco, Coco, Coco!

Even Coco, who had been listless since the porcelain was taken, seemed to come alive here.

'Tam, I like your quietness... '

While I was looking around the lobby and the adjacent gallery, Kim Gyu-tae was talking to a staff member and then informed me.

"There's a consignor waiting room on the second floor. Let's go there."

"Ah, we're not going into the auction hall?"

"Yes, that's for bidders. We have a separate, comfortable space to watch."

The consignor waiting room was like a salon for nobility.

A bar and bartender.

Whiskey and cocktails.

Luxurious sofas and chandeliers.

'Wow... '

The other consignors who had arrived early were holding crystal glasses in one hand and sitting on the sofas.

And all their gazes were directed at one place.

A giant screen.

On it, explanations of the artworks to be auctioned today were being shown.

'Wow... Is this a live broadcast? But it's in English.'

I was staring blankly when Kim Gyu-tae handed me an earphone.

"A special simultaneous interpretation service provided by Christie's."

"Oh?"

Expecting a Korean audio guide like at a museum, I put the earphone in.

But what I heard was Korean.

A bit awkward and accented, but understandable!

[Mr. Yu-won, is that you?]

"Yes, yes. It's me. Nice to meet you! I haven't talked to anyone who speaks my language in a while."

[Ha-ha, nice to meet you too. The piece currently on screen is a porcelain piece in the Sinhware style, made in 18th century England...]

"Oh."

But as I listened, something strange happened.

No matter how long I waited, the explanation of my piece didn't come up.

Had something gone wrong?

I was about to ask Kim Gyu-tae when the screen switched to the auction hall.

And a well-dressed middle-aged woman stepped onto the podium and greeted everyone.

[Good evening!]

What, just starting?

Without an explanation for my porcelain?

[Welcome to Christie's China, Asian Decorative Arts Collection Auction. I am today's auctioneer, Doris Parker. This is the first of two live auctions scheduled this week.]

I was about to ask Kim Gyu-tae.

"Mr. Lawyer."

"Just a moment."

But Kim Gyu-tae held up his hand to stop me and kept his eyes on the screen.

Curious, I listened again to the earphone.

[Before we start the auction, there is an announcement. There has been a change regarding one of the artworks being introduced today.]

I thought it might be about my porcelain.

[An early 18th-century masterpiece, Böttger's porcelain tea set.]

It was really about my porcelain.

'Crazy, what's going on?'

All sorts of bad scenarios popped into my head.

Was it stolen? Did the appraisal results change? Was there a problem with the fast-track procedure...?

Worried, I focused on the auctioneer's words.

[To determine the true value of this porcelain tea set, we at Christie's have worked hard up until the moment of this auction... We have appraised and evaluated it as the first porcelain made in Europe.]

Yes! That's right!

It is the first European porcelain, as Tam and Coco said!

Then, of course...

[The starting price of this piece will also be changed.]

Right! The starting price should go up.

The original minimum guarantee was $1.8 million, and the starting price was around $1.5 million.

So now?

[The starting price is $2 million, $2 million. All bidders, please note and participate in the auction of this piece.]

Starting at $2 million?

That's about 2.5 billion, right?

[Ha-ha, it's getting a bit noisy. Noise is a good sign in an auction. Good. This piece will be the last, so please wait. First, let me explain the purpose of today's auction.]

"...Wow, really crazy."

I almost swore out loud.

To make people so anxious even before the auction starts.

I clenched my fist and said to Kim Gyu-tae.

"Mr. Lawyer, would you like a drink?"

And for the first time, I realized.

Kim Gyu-tae's smile could be soulful.

"Ha-ha, sure. This time, I'll treat you."

Mr. Kim Gyu-tae.

If this goes well, I'll call you not Kim Gyu-tae but God Gyu-tae.

I smiled and replied.

"Then, I'll have a cola. With lots of ice, please."

Today, I didn't want to drink a zero cola.

I just wanted to burn my esophagus with the fizzing carbonation.

[Let me introduce myself again. Welcome, we are Christie's.]

And soon, the auction began.

I don't think cola will do.

Kim Gyu-tae handed me a cola and raised his glass.

"Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

I gulped down the cola, and it felt like it was burning my throat. Even in a crystal glass, cola is still cola.