Chapter 77
With just one sentence, the entire studio erupted once again..
Many of them had swayed because of Tiffany’s confident statement, and they almost believed her.
But the slap in the face came too quickly, and whatever little trust Tiffany had gained completely vanished.
Everyone looked at her with disdain.
A young man said, “How shameless. You’re trying to claim someone else’s work when you couldn’t do it yourself.”
A girl said, “You’re pretty good at acting. I was almost fooled by your misplaced confidence. Unexpectedly, the outcome is such a slap in the face. I guess I was just too naive to trust a liar like you!”
“What else do you have to say? The truth is out. Aren’t you going to leave? If it were me, I’d be too ashamed to stay. Why are you still standing there, making a fool of yourself?” mocked another girl.
At that moment, it felt like a single word from everyone could drown Tiffany in a sea of scorn.
Zoe clenched her fists in anger without saying anything, but she stood firmly behind Tiffany, silently showing her support. Philip shook his head, feeling a bit regretful.
Just as he was about to put the painting back, Tiffany met his gaze and calmly said. “Who said I wrote my name on the back? Mr. Fremont, why don’t you take a closer look? Maybe there’s something special about this painting?”
Though Philip was reluctant to drag this out any further, his curiosity got the better of him, and he lowered his head to examine the painting.
To his surprise, he noticed that the fine waves in the oil painting subtly concealed several faint letters.
Tracing them, the letters “Tiff” appeared.
Philip was stunned. He looked up and asked, “What’s your name?
Tiffany replied, “Tiffany Kelley
She spread her hands, still in her relaxed posture, and said. “There’s a word ‘Tiff” in there, right?”
Philip said, “That’s right.”
As Philip confirmed this, the sudden turn of events left everyone in the studio dumbfounded, especially Sandra.
The moment Philip asked Tiffany her name, alarms went off in Sandra’s head. She knew things had spiraled completely out of control. And when Philip confirmed it, her face turned ashen
Despite all her calculations, she never imagined Tiffany would have would have laid such a trap. This was like digging a pit and just waiting for her to fall right into it.
This was like digging a pit and just waiting for her to fall right into it.
Sandra’s hand trembled as she forced a smile, “This could just be a coincidence. It doesn’t prove anything.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Philip glanced at her sharply and said, “Do you think I’m an idiot?”
Sometimes, the more one explained, the worse it got. Especially when the truth was laid bare at that moment, forcing an explanation might work, but only a fool would believe it.
Sandra shook her head and denied, “No, Mr. Fremont, please believe me! I really didn’t lie!”
As she spoke, she started to cry, her tearful face leaving the other students in the studio confused about whom to believe.
Tiffany took out a USB drive unhurriedly and raised an eyebrow, saying, “There’s a hidden camera in my dorm that captured exactly how my painting was stolen. Care to take a look
Tiffany’s words were polite, but her demeanor was dominant and forceful.
She tossed the USB drive back, and Zoe quickly caught it and connected it to the computer and projector in the studio. In less than ten seconds, the surveillance footage began to play.
The video showed Sandra sneaking into Tiffany’s dorm, nervously looking around before taking the painting from the balcom
The entire clip was less than a minute long, but it hit Sandra like a loud slap, leaving her head spinning.
She thought. I was so careful, thoroughly checking Tiffany’s dorm to ensure there were no cameras! But why? Why did the very thing I worried the most still happen?”
Sandra opened her mouth to explain, but when she looked up, she saw that the way everyone looked at her had completely changed.
Even the girls who had previously defended Sandra looked at her in disgust, flipping from concern to anger as they lashed
out. “You’re a thief?”
The word “thief could blacken a person’s name for life.
If the hidden letters in the painting weren’t enough evidence, then the video was solid evidence. Any attempt to argue against it would be utterly futile.
Philip shook his head in disappointment and said, “Talent can be developed through hard work, but if you lack integrity, there’s no hope. Leave now. I don’t accept students with poor character.
With those words, it was as if he had delivered a final verdict.
Sandra’s plan had completely failed.
She staggered back two steps, then ran out of the studio, holding back tears.
The crowd sighed. No one expected things to end up like this. But aside from the shock, there wasn’t much sympathy for
Sandra
After all, it takes a special kind of nerve to nature left everyone stunned and even a bit unsettling. She was too good at pretending.
steal someone else’s work and then try to frame the owner. Sandra’s manipulative
After Sandra left, the studio fell silent again.
Tiffany tilted her head and asked. ‘Sir, can I take my painting now?”
Philip nodded and extended an olive branch, “You have great talent. Would you be interested in becoming my student?”
Although the previous rule was to disqualify those who didn’t participate in the selection process, all rules are subject to Philip’s discretion.
Upon hearing this, everyone in the studio had mixed feelings.
None of them had ever imagined that Tiffany, who they thought was just a pretty face, had such remarkable talent and skill in painting
After recovering from the shock, they were consumed with envy
Philip disregarded the rules he had previously set and personally extended an invitation to accept her as a student. It was something they all dreamed of.
But Tiffany’s response left everyone utterly astonished.
She said, “Sir, thank you for your kindness, but this is just a hobby for me. I don’t plan on making a career out of it.”
That was the truth. Tiffany wasn’t putting on airs, it was simply how she felt.
The other students looked at each other in disbelief, barely able to contain their shock.
So many of them had been working tirelessly to reach the level Tiffany achieved on a whim. The comparison was nothing short of a public execution.
For them, there was no pain like the pain of comparison, and it was infuriating.
Philip was taken aback by Tiffany’s rejection and hesitated for a moment before saying. “Are you serious? But you do have remarkable talent. I was hoping you’d consider participating in the upcoming international competition.”
Tiffany ultimately declined Philip’s offer, suggesting that other students might be more eager for the opportunity.
Her modest and uncompetitive attitude led many to change their opinion of her.
However, Philip was still reluctant to give up on such a promising talent, so he proposed, “No matter what, this painting is a product of your hard work. How about this? I’d still like to submit your painting to the competition. Whether it wins or not is another matter, but at least it wouldn’t go to waste.”
Tiffany agreed because she was curious.
In her previous life, Sandra had won a pretty decent award for the painting.
But now, with so many things rewritten in this lifetime, the painting carried more emotion and maturity than the previous one. Tiffany wondered if it could still win.
After this incident was over, Tiffany put it out of her mind.
The theft scandal spread like wildfire, and Sandra’s reputation was completely ruined. Those who once supported her were now the ones who despised her the most.