Episode 12

**Snow of London (Case 3.2)** is the twelfth episode of the Great Pretender series. It is also the second episode in the third case.

## Summary

The operation begins with Laurent's gang watching an art auction with James as the auctioneer. Afterward, Abby approaches James asking to work for him, but is turned away. Meanwhile, Edamame and Kudo work as gardeners at the estate of Farrah Brown, the CEO of a fashion company who is a close business partner of James, in order to set up a wiretap. Through the wiretap, Laurent's gang learns that James and Farrah are working together behind the scenes with Farrah willing to buy any painting James wants. Cynthia recalls her time when she first met aspiring artist Thomas Meyer while working as a coffee shop waitress training to be a stage actress. The next day, Cynthia asks Edamame to paint while she continues to recall her time with Thomas. Cynthia became his model during a time when Thomas was struggling, and the two dated, and then fell in love. Later that day, as James prepares to auctioneer another art auction, Abby asks James again to help out claiming that Laurent has been stalking her, but is turned away again. At the end of the auction, the Snow of London goes up for bidding, and Laurent wins it for £30 million when Farrah's butler Tim stops her from bidding any higher out of concern for her well-being. Angered by Farrah's inability to win the auction, James decides to hire Abby. That night, Cynthia explains that the next step in the plan is to sell a forgery of the Snow of London to Farrah with Thomas painting the counterfeit. Cynthia recalls her time when Thomas was recognized by James for his talent to create replicas of famous paintings.

## Plot

Artist Thomas dissatisfied with another painting of his goes on a walk outside of his apartment. In a cafe, he orders a cappuccino, with a young Cynthia as the waitress.

At an auction house, James auctions off a painting by Edward Cain, called "Portrait of a Woman". Laurent, Makoto, Cynthia and Abigal are in attendance. They watch as the painting is sold for £200 million to a woman named Farrah Brown. Afterward, Abby approaches James and asks him if she can for him. He, however, flatly declines. Because Farrah is James' business partner and in order to get close to her. Makoto and Kudo pose as gardeners that work at her estate. Exploiting her entomophobia, Makoto and Kudo gain access into her estate and plant a wiretapping device. From it, it's exposed that James and Farrah are secret lovers. They also work together to collect famous paintings to keep out of the reach of blue-collar indigents. Laurent and the gang listen in on his all from the wiretap.

A flashback showing Cynthia's past when she auditions to be a stage actress, but fails to land the role she wants. At her job, Thomas gathers the courage to ask Cynthia to model for one of his paintings. Cynthia refuses to answer then and there due to the owner Christina being there and looking astounded. The two then introduce themselves to each other.

In Farrah's private art room, Farrah deduces that James wants the Snow of London next. Elsewhere, a lush Cynthia orders Makoto to start painting. As Makoto paints, another flashback is shown where Cynthia visit's Thomas' room and admires all of his paintings. Every painting in Thomas' room is a replica of a famous piece. From there, Cynthia becomes Thomas' model, and over time they have a romantic relationship with each other.

Back in the present at the auction house, Abby reports to James that a certain man (Laurent) is stalking her. James informs her that he'll have security keep an eye on him, but also notes that she's not better than he. The auction then begins and once the Snow of London goes up for auction, a bidding war between Laurent and Farrah is had. In the end, Laurent wins the painting for 30 million as Farrah's butler stops her from bidding herself into bankruptcy. Soon after the auction, James reprimands Farrah for being unable to get the Snow of London painting. While cursing Laurent, he runs into Abby and hires her.

That night, it's decided that Farrah will buy back the Snow of London painting from them. However, the painting they'll sell her will be a forgery. One more flashback is shown and it depicts Cynthia and Thomas meeting James for the first time. He claims that Thomas has the talent to become an expert forger.

## Characters

* Laurent Thierry
* Cynthia Moore
* Makoto Edamura
* Abigail Jones
* Kudo
* James Coleman
* Farrah Brown
* Christina
* Thomas Meyer