Bewilderment flickered across Paige’s features. “You’re not seeking the truth? Then what brings you here?”
“Your downfall.”
“How laughable! With what weapon? Your empty title as Mrs. Evans?” Paige’s voice dropped to a venomous whisper. “Word is, Cole fled home last night, too furious to stay under your roof. How much longer can you maintain this charade?”
With so many people in the Evans household, it was hardly surprising that someone would gossip about this. Paige’s knowledge didn’t shock Elliana in the slightest. She surmised that perhaps this incident explained Paige’s persistent fixation on Cole.
Elliana decided to let Paige cling to her delusion regarding Cole. The higher her expectations soared, the more devastating their inevitable crash would be.
Interpreting Elliana’s silence as confirmation, Paige’s satisfaction bloomed into smugness. She delivered a final contemptuous snort before exiting the vehicle.
Through the window, Elliana watched Paige gravitate toward Luciano, her practiced charm and radiance lighting up as the cameras captured her every move. Elliana stepped out of the bus, a knowing smile playing across her lips.
The entourage surrounding Luciano made its way to the Ublento Art Museum, with Paige accompanying him as part of the show’s orchestrated plan, cameras tracking their every step.
Relegated to the crowd’s periphery, where she had no visibility, Elliana retrieved her phone to monitor the livestream.
Paige engaged Luciano in an art discourse, reciting clearly rehearsed lines that fabricated an illusion of artistic expertise, especially regarding oil painting.
Luciano’s arrival electrified the comment section.
“Mr. Scott’s presence elevates everything-instant cultural refinement!”
“Never imagined I’d witness a master artist up close-thank you, producers!”
“Did you notice? Paige’s commentary had Mr. Scott nodding appreciatively, praising her artistic perception. He seems ready to accept her as his protege!”
“Where’s Elliana hiding? Cowering in some corner, crushed by inadequacy before true artistic greatness?”
“The Evans family’s judgment bewilders me. Why choose worthless Elliana when Paige would bring such distinguished pride to their name?”
Elliana savored these comments with quiet amusement, anticipating the mortification that would await Paige’s followers when their goddess’s facade eventually shattered.
Suddenly, a commotion rippled through the crowd.
Glancing up, Elliana realized they had entered the museum’s first exhibition hall, where an oil painting commanded universal attention. Luciano adopted the posture of artistic royalty as he addressed the gathering. “This masterpiece, titled ‘Spring Goddess,’ comes from my idol, Rosa…”
The unexpected introduction of her work-Luciano’s claim of devoted admiration-caught Elliana off-guard.
While she absorbed this ironic turn, Paige’s voice sliced through the moment with calculated precision. “Elliana, come here…”
Without needing direction, the crowd stepped aside, leaving a clear path that led the camera straight to Elliana.
With a saccharine smile, Paige turned to Luciano and said, “Forgive the interruption, Mr. Scott, but I was hoping Elliana could hear your thoughts firsthand. She should see what new art feels like.”
Luciano returned the gesture, offering a mild smile and a small nod in response.
Paige lifted her hand in an inviting wave. “Elliana, hurry up and get over here!”
Elliana didn’t have much choice under so many watchful eyes. She made her way forward and stood next to Paige without hesitation. With a sugary tone, Paige made the introduction. “Mr. Scott, meet my sister Elliana. I’d love for you to mentor her too.”
Moments earlier, Paige and Luciano had pretended it was their first encounter, keeping things formal and proper. But once Paige quoted a few lines, Luciano laid on the compliments thick, his praise gentle but overwhelming, slowly coaxing her into comfort.
Their performance was seamless. Everyone in the room assumed that Luciano saw real potential in Paige and was already considering her as a future protege.
Those trying to grab even a minute of Luciano’s time were left watching in envy, just like the thousands tuning into the livestream. Paige had clearly stolen the spotlight.
With Paige’s invitation placing her in the spotlight, Elliana suddenly looked like the next chosen one in the eyes of the crowd.
Online, comments poured in, overflowing with admiration for Paige’s apparent generosity.
“Unbelievable! After everything, Paige still hands Elliana this kind of chance? That level of kindness is rare-some people chase this moment for a lifetime.”
“Exactly. Paige has done her part-now it’s Elliana’s move.”
Deep down, Elliana wasn’t fooled. She could see the trap dressed up as kindness. Just as she had expected, the moment played out exactly that way.
Luciano gave Elliana a once-over and then let out a short, mocking laugh. “Is that getup supposed to show us how much you know about art?”
The crowd erupted. Laughter echoed through the space, and every eye turned toward Elliana as if she were the punchline of a long-winded joke.
Elliana didn’t blink. Her hand went to her untamed wig, and her gaze shifted to the framed photograph of a world-famous artist hanging just behind Luciano. “So tell me, Mr. Scott. Are you saying he doesn’t get art either?”
Everyone turned to see what had caught her eye. On the wall hung a portrait of a legendary artist from the previous century-his hair just as untamed and his face just as boldly painted as Elliana’s.
A faint smirk tugged at Elliana’s lips. “When a genius wears it, you call it expression. But when someone like me does the same thing, suddenly it’s ignorance? Tell me, Mr. Scott, do you judge art or the artist?”
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.