Elliana’s lips curled into a dismissive smile. “A self-proclaimed master whose reputation exceeds his talent has no business offering advice to anyone.”
“You!” Luciano sputtered. Elliana’s words stung.
Humiliated and seething, Luciano stormed out, his entourage scrambling to follow in his wake.
Since the upcoming ceremony of officially becoming Luciano’s disciple demanded her presence, Paige cast Elliana a venomous glance before hurrying after Luciano.
The camera crew trailed behind, leaving Elliana and Hailee alone in the sudden quiet.
Without the oppressive scrutiny of cameras, Hailee’s shoulders relaxed as tension drained from her posture. “Elliana,” she whispered anxiously, “we’ve completely alienated Mr. Scott. Do you think he’ll retaliate? He strikes me not as a magnanimous master but as someone who nurses grudges.”
Elliana’s soft laughter surprised her friend. “Don’t fret. His moment in the spotlight is fleeting. By tomorrow, he’ll be ostracized, powerless to harm either of us.”
Confusion flickered across Hailee’s face, questions forming on her lips when sudden movements caught her attention.
A middle-aged man had entered silently, wearing a black jacket and cap that shadowed his melancholy eyes and drawn features.
Both Elliana and Hailee recognized him as one of Luciano’s silent followers, though his exact role remained mysterious.
Elliana was bewildered. Why had this man returned after departing with Luciano’s group?
The man locked eyes with Elliana, parted his lips as if to speak, then hesitated and closed them again. With a heavy sigh, he turned to leave.
“Elliana,” Hailee murmured, “he seemed desperate to tell you something but held back, as though afraid.”
Elliana lowered her gaze without comment, checking her phone to monitor the livestream.
The broadcast now showed Paige and Luciano proceeding down a corridor, surrounded by admirers, heading toward the ceremony venue. Yet, the chat overlay buzzed with discussions about Elliana instead. Comments about the confrontation completely overshadowed Paige’s supposedly impressive artwork.
“Has Elliana lost her mind? This is the second time she’s driven Mr. Scott to storm off.”
“She might lack conventional talent or beauty, but her courage is admirable.”
“They never showed a close-up of her artwork, but from a distance, it looks remarkable.”
“True, it appears impressive from afar. Perhaps the details don’t meet professional standards.”
“I’m no expert, but Hailee’s painting looks extraordinary too.”
Elliana tucked away her phone and turned to Hailee. “Time to submit our paintings for the competition.”
“Are we really going through with this?” Uncertainty lingered in Hailee’s voice. “I still don’t understand how we’ll advance directly to the finals…”
“Everything’s arranged. Just complete the entry form.”
As though summoned by Elliana’s words, two black-clad attendants entered, bowing respectfully as they presented documents to her. “Ms. Marsh, here are the competition entry forms for your completion.”
Elliana accepted both, keeping one and passing the other to Hailee.
Scanning the form’s contents, Hailee’s heart quickened with excitement. “Elliana, you’re entering too? That’s fantastic! Your painting has a genuine chance of winning!”
Elliana responded with a cryptic smile, “Let’s fill them out.”
Hailee nodded eagerly. She and Elliana completed their forms. The attendants collected both forms and paintings before departing silently.
Task completed, Hailee and Elliana left the room.
Upon entering the chamber designated for Paige to become Luciano’s disciple, Hailee and Elliana encountered Haley’s off-camera wrath. Her face contorted with displeasure as she hissed, “Do you have any sense of responsibility as show guests? The ceremony begins momentarily, and you’re tardy. Are you deliberately trying to void your contracts?”
Since the entire production revolved around Paige, with everyone else serving merely as supporting characters, Elliana remained indifferent to threats of contract termination.
Hailee, however, trembled with concern. She participated in the show out of financial necessity, and premature dismissal would devastate her finances. “I apologize profusely, Ms. Faulkner. It won’t happen again.”
Haley snorted derisively. “Enough excuses. Take your positions.”
Hailee hurried to her designated spot, terrified of causing further delays.
As Elliana moved to join her, something unexpected caught her eye..
The ceremony venue had been crafted with painstaking precision.
True to the whispers circulating in art circles, Luciano insisted on ceremonial grandeur for such occasions, and Paige’s induction reflected his exacting standards in every detail.
Given that millions would witness the event via livestream, no expense had been spared. Each element of the setting exuded opulence and meticulous attention to aesthetic harmony.
The ceremony would unfold with practiced formality-opening remarks from the host, introduction of distinguished witnesses and speakers, followed by the formal presentation of master and protege.
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.