The question hit Luciano like a slap. Color drained from his cheeks before rushing back in full force.
On the livestream, the chat exploded with laughter.
“You know, I thought Elliana’s outfit was a bit much at first, but after seeing that artist, she doesn’t seem so out of place. This isn’t weird-it’s art!”
“LOL, she flipped the script! Mr. Scott definitely came off a little biased there.”
“Weren’t we told Elliana was awkward and clueless? She just wrecked that narrative with one comeback!”
Noticing the livestream comments drifting away from the show’s intended focus, Paige swiftly stepped in to steer the conversation back on track and lighten the moment for Luciano. “Mr. Scott, could you please introduce us to Rosa’s Spring Goddess?”
Thankful for the lifeline, Luciano latched onto the new topic and dove straight into his monologue about Spring Goddess.
With focus restored to the painting, Paige allowed herself a quiet exhale-though not without casting a daggered glance in Elliana’s direction.
What rattled Paige most was how unpredictable Elliana had become. Every word from Elliana now had the potential to knock her off balance. Elliana tilted her head slightly, a half-smile playing on her lips as she listened to Luciano’s polished introduction of her creation, Spring Goddess.
“Rosa is widely celebrated across the globe for her brilliance in fashion and jewelry design, but long before she launched the Rosa brand, her talent first emerged through painting. One of her earliest creations, Spring Goddess, holds a special place in her artistic journey. The Ublento Art Museum was lucky enough to…”
They added Spring Goddess to its collection five years ago, and it has remained one of its most cherished pieces ever since. As someone who deeply admires Rosa’s work, I’ve studied this painting in great detail. I encourage you all to take a closer look. This isn’t merely an oil painting-it’s nature captured through a master’s hand. After witnessing Rosa’s artistry, most other paintings struggle to compare.”
While Luciano continued his polished delivery, Elliana couldn’t help but think he and Paige might’ve taken the same drama class-both excellent at memorizing their lines.
With a smile still lingering, Luciano turned toward Paige. “Would you care to share your interpretation of Spring Goddess?”
The question wasn’t spontaneous. It had been planned in advance, scripted to give Paige the spotlight and boost her standing in the viewers’ eyes.
Paige’s smile radiated confidence as she replied, “I’ll do my best, Mr. Scott. I only hope my reflections do justice to Rosa’s brilliance.”
Under Luciano’s approving gaze, Paige launched into her recitation, her voice gaining confidence with each word. “Actually, I’m also a devoted admirer of Rosa. It’s truly an honor to share the same artistic idol with you, Mr. Scott. I often envision the moment we might meet our inspiration together. I’ve made countless pilgrimages to the Ublento Art Museum to stand before Spring Goddess. Each visit unveils new layers, fresh revelations. Rosa captures the very essence of beauty in her work.
Nothing I’ve encountered compares to Spring Goddess-how it distills the entire essence of spring into a single canvas. With just a handful of masterful strokes, Rosa conjures a breathtaking spectrum of color, while delicate ink touches reveal the goddess’s beauty and compassion. Yet, the true power of Spring Goddess transcends Rosa’s technical brilliance-it’s the artistic vision that moves us. Viewing this masterpiece through different lenses-angles, times, moods-creates an entirely unique experience each time.”
Her acting skills kicked in, and emotion overtook Paige. Her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “Spring Goddess holds within it every shade of human feeling-drawing one into a world overflowing with emotion from the very first glance.”
Her final words hung in the air as two crystalline tears traced paths down her flawless cheeks.
The room erupted with thunderous applause.
In the livestream’s comment section, praise surged like a tidal wave.
“Hear, hear!”
“Who knew Paige possessed such profound insight into Rosa’s work? Her art knowledge runs deep. No wonder she reigns as Ublento’s premier socialite-genuine talent shines through.”
“Paige clearly has the makings of a remarkable orator. Her eloquence astounds me. Many share these feelings but lack the vocabulary to express them so beautifully.”
Exhaustion crept through Paige’s body after delivering such an extensive monologue. She had feared she would forget lines, but thankfully, she’d managed to flawlessly deliver the script prepared by the production team, earning glowing responses.
Paige released a hidden sigh of relief while outwardly maintaining her modesty. “I hope my impromptu thoughts weren’t embarrassingly inadequate.”
“Quite the contrary! Your interpretation soared! Such profound understanding-and those tears provide the ultimate proof! Only someone who truly comprehends Rosa’s genius could experience such overwhelming emotion. Magnificent, truly magnificent!” Luciano nodded appreciatively. “Paige, with such penetrating artistic insight, your success in the art world is inevitable. I have tremendous expectations for you-the community will soon welcome another brilliant, creative mind!”
Paige ducked her head shyly. “Mr. Scott, you’re far too generous.” Following Luciano’s lavish praise, Paige’s fans ignited the comment section with renewed fervor.
“Did everyone catch that? Mr. Scott just declared Paige a genius artist!”
“Paige defies expectations!”
“I’m desperate to see her work! Where can we view it?”
“Word has it Paige’s piece will feature in tonight’s Starry Oil Painting Competition. Our visual feast awaits!”
Elliana surveyed the comments scrolling across the massive screen and then shifted her attention to Luciano and Paige, thinking how much of a waste it was that neither had pursued careers in acting.
While Elliana silently mocked their performance, Luciano’s gaze suddenly locked onto her, his expression hardening to ice. “You seem remarkably articulate. Pride must run through your veins. Since Paige requested that I mentor you, I’ll extend one opportunity.”
Luciano gestured toward Spring Goddess. “Why not share your interpretation of this globally acclaimed masterpiece?”
At his suggestion, every eye in the room swiveled toward Elliana. Haley immediately directed the camera to capture Elliana’s reaction. This segment-meticulously orchestrated by the production team-aimed to broadcast Elliana’s humiliation live, transforming her into public entertainment. The elegant phrases Paige had delivered were crafted by a consortium of art experts. Elliana, whose education hadn’t even reached elementary completion, couldn’t possibly produce anything approaching brilliance. Elliana’s commentary falling short of Paige’s wouldn’t constitute the greatest embarrassment-it would merely confirm her inferiority.
The production team anticipated Elliana’s spectacular failure before millions of viewers, leveraging the moment to manipulate public sentiment against the Evans family.
Elliana pierced through their transparent scheme, her gaze sweeping coolly across Paige’s and Luciano’s smug expressions. She lobbed an unexpected question into the tension. “Do either of you actually understand oil painting?”
Her query left the assembled crowd exchanging bewildered glances.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.