CHAPTER 72: CHAPTER 72: WHO BOUGHT HER PAINTINGS

In Ava Wright’s heart, Amelia Wright was still that foolish girl.

No matter how much had happened before, even if she went to the old city to make a scene in front of Amelia, Amelia never broke off with her. As long as she softened her attitude, things could surely be resolved.

Amelia thought it was amusing. She didn’t know whether her former timidity had become too ingrained in people’s minds, or if Ava was just too naive.

After she severed ties and plotted against the Wright family shares, Ava still thought she could easily be coaxed.

Amelia cooperated by looking visibly troubled.

Ava grabbed Amelia’s hand and continued to coax, "We’re good sisters. You need to continue studying at Elegant Art, just like before. With me around, you don’t have to worry about being bullied."

Not be bullied?

In the past, she timidly followed behind Ava, doing whatever Ava told her to do. And what was the result? A broken family, a life worse than death.

At this moment, Amelia said with a pure expression, "Alright then, I won’t use my previous style anymore."

Only then did Ava stop crying and left satisfied.

The sound of running water echoed in the bathroom as Amelia washed her hands with disgust. The bandage on her left hand got wet, but she didn’t care.

Her eyes, cold and calculating, were intent on her schemes. True, she wouldn’t use her previous style, but she would use a better one!

That was the edge honed from five years of tears and blood.

Ava, let’s hope I can give you a surprise.

The competition at Elegant Art was fierce.

Even if it was just a monthly exam, many people wanted to rank.

When Amelia was initially accepted by Robert Reed, people couldn’t help but look up her past grades at Elegant Art.

They found out that Amelia’s grades were really quite poor, barely passing each time. How could such grades lead to an apprenticeship under Robert Reed? Wasn’t it only natural to be envious?

So for this month’s exam, many people had their eyes on Amelia, keen to see what kind of results she would achieve. The dark side of human nature made them eager for Amelia to embarrass herself.

Ava didn’t care about that; she was focused, imitating Amelia’s previous paintings.

As for Amelia, she was like someone in a personal bubble, out of place with everyone else, unapproachable.

She lazily began to draw, finished nonchalantly, and handed in her paper earlier than anyone else.

Many scoffed, thinking Amelia was being pretentious.

But when the results were out, she wouldn’t be able to keep up the act.

...

At this time in the Ink Manor.

Robert Reed was a bit troubled.

Amelia’s paintings were on display, but there wasn’t any interest in them.

Many people who bought artworks actually focused more on the fame of the piece and the collection value brought by that fame.

So Robert Reed directly issued an announcement.

[My only student is selling her paintings for the first time. I hope friends in the industry will come and support her.]

With Robert Reed’s announcement, many people came that afternoon, whether to get in good with Robert or just to join the fun, the Ink Manor became lively.

"Old Mr. Reed, your student is really talented! Such deep skill in these works!"

"Old Mr. Reed has truly found a good pupil."

There were many praises, but no one inquired about the price.

Just as Robert Reed was contemplating whether to secretly have someone buy them to avoid disappointing his little apprentice,

a stranger entered the Ink Manor and directly said, "I’ll pay three million for these two paintings."

Robert Reed was instantly overjoyed.

Someone wanted to buy the paintings, and at a high price, too.

He had originally intended to discreetly have someone purchase them at about the same price because any higher, and his apprentice would surely notice.

Robert Reed immediately agreed to the deal.

The people in the Ink Manor watched this scene with envy; it was already good enough for a newcomer’s works to be sold, but under Old Reed’s publicity, they were sold at such a high price.

Old Mr. Reed was indeed doing his best for this student.

Rose Taylor surreptitiously went over, and before the paintings were handed over, she flicked a drop of ink onto one of them while no one was looking.

She thought to herself, if the paintings from the first sale were returned, Amelia wouldn’t be able to act so arrogant in the future.

Rose believed her actions were secretive, yet they were noticed by the ever-observant Mia Parker, who couldn’t believe what she saw.

Rose discreetly returned to her seat, but Mia whispered next to her, "I told you not to have any wicked thoughts. I really didn’t expect you’d do something like this out of jealousy. I’m going to tell Old Mr. Reed."

Rose’s expression stiffened; she didn’t expect to be seen.

With a look of panic, she pleaded, "Mia, please don’t tell Old Mr. Reed. If you do, my future will be ruined."

"But what you did was also to ruin someone else!"

"Mia, I’m begging you. We’ve been friends for so many years, you have to help me this once. I promise I won’t do it again. Please give me a chance."

Mia looked hesitant.

Rose bit her lip and said, "If you tell, I’ll go disappear! Do you really want to push me to that?"

Mia was frightened by Rose’s menacing look, afraid she might actually do something irreversible, so she compromised against her better judgment: "Okay, I won’t say anything this time. But if there’s a next time, I will definitely tell Old Mr. Reed."

"I promise, there won’t be a next time."

Robert Reed handed the paintings over to the buyer, completely unaware of what had transpired.

Amelia was even more unaware; she received the payment notification at school and immediately frowned, calling her teacher.

"Teacher, did you have someone buy my paintings?"

Amelia was somewhat aware of her own level. Even as Robert Reed’s only student, she shouldn’t have sold at such a high price without any fame.

Robert Reed immediately explained, "No! How could it have been me!"

"Are you sure?" Amelia was skeptical.

Robert Reed, as if making a vow, confidently declared, "I would never do such a thing. Little apprentice, your paintings were sold based on merit. I merely sent out an announcement to invite support from friends."

Robert Reed spoke with such conviction, without a hint of guilt.

Amelia still felt puzzled inside.

Who on earth bought her paintings?

In her mind, Godfrey Shaw’s face suddenly flickered.

Then she ridiculed herself, shaking her head. Of all her paintings at the Imperial Garden, Godfrey hadn’t even glanced, so how could he possibly buy them?

Meanwhile, the results of the mini-exam at Elegant Art were released.

The campus’s public display screen soon listed the top one hundred.

Students gathered around, searching for their rankings, just like the public announcement of ancient imperial examinations.

Ava Wright was also there. She first checked her own ranking, 30th, and inwardly felt discontent. Since Amelia married into the Shaw family and she couldn’t have her paint anymore, her grades had been falling.

But it didn’t matter, as long as Amelia wasn’t ranked higher than her.

Ava scanned below her own ranking but didn’t find Amelia’s name.

It seemed Amelia didn’t even make it into the top one hundred, well as expected.

After checking below, Ava finally looked upward from her name, noticing those she usually outperformed were now above her, a malicious glint hidden in her eyes.

Until her gaze reached the very topmost name, Amelia Wright!