SWNOVELS Chapter 131
Chapter 131
A group of people turned in unison at the sound of approaching footsteps. A
young man in his mid-twenties, with pale skin and a slim figure, was making his
way toward them. He wore thin—rimmed glasses and a light grey suit that
accentuated his slender build. However, after speaking just a few words, he
coughed into his handkerchief, signaling that he might not be in the best of
health.
Fanny froze for a second. “Mr. Finegan?”
The man acknowledged with a nod and asked again, “What seems to be the
problem?”
Mrs. Brown, clearly annoyed, recounted the events, which caused the man, Mr.
Finegan, to furrow his brows and address Fanny, “If you're worried about the
crowd, we could stop letting people in. But once they're here, it doesn’t seem
right to send them away, does it?”
Fanny's face darkened. She wanted to argue but seemed to hold a certain regard
for the man before her, and reluctantly conceded, “You're right.”
With a look of resentment, Fanny glanced at Lorna, her eyes sharp with envy.
Very few knew Lorna’s pen name was Lorn. When B. Aster mentioned it, Fanny
was startled.
Hearing that B. Aster admired her enough to invite her to help with landscape
paintings, Fanny saw an opportunity and crafted a lie that “Lorn had passed
away.”
Both Fanny and Lorna had studied landscape painting, and while Fanny's work
was also commendable, Lorna had simply gained fame by association. Why
should everyone remember Lorn and forget Fanny?
She was now a leading figure in the world of landscape art!
She had someone recommend her to B. Aster, who had just begun showing
signs of wanting to collaborate with her. So why was Lorna showing up at the
exhibition now?
“Hello, I'm Naylor Finegan.” Naylor turned, coughing into his handkerchief again,
“Is this Cordelia?”
Cordelia paused, then nodded, “Yes.”
Naylor smiled, “My father is B. Aster.”
Realization dawned on Cordelia. This was the son of the Painter? She nodded
her understanding.
“If there’s anything you don't understand, I'd be happy to explain,” Naylor offered.
Mrs. Brown was flabbergasted, “Naylor, I know of him. He's a painter too, right?
But he works in oils, doesn't
he?”
Lorna nodded absently. Since entering, she had been looking for an opportunity
to inquire about the mysterious Painter. And now, seeing Naylor... B. Aster was
the Painter?
How on earth did her daughter come to know these people?
First, the renowned pianist Stanton called her Lia, then Calvert, and now she
even knew the famous drawing master? Mrs. Brown felt she had underestimated
the Delaney family.
Walking with Lorna, she had sensed that the woman was not as the rumors
suggested. Seeing Naylor's courteous interaction with Cordelia, Mrs. Brown
realized Lorna and her daughter are both big figures, why out of her league.
The Delaney family had such an impressive figure, able to converse with the
giants of the Watercolor Painting world.
Mrs. Brown's newfound appreciation for Lorna quickly transformed into deep
admiration
While she was still in shock, Cordelia spoke up, “No need, my mom will explain
for me.”
Then, turning to Lorna, she asked, “Mom, shall we continue?”
12.04
Lorna nodded, still a bit dazed. She refocused and began to introduce each
painting to Cordelia and Mrs. Brown Naylor listened attentively, with excellent
manners.
As the explanations went on, Naylor's expression grew serious
This
s woman, so versed in Watercolor Painting, able to offer her judgment on each
piece—she was no ordinary.
person!
He looked at Lorna with respect and asked, “Mrs. Delaney, you seem to have a
profound understanding of Watercolor Painting. I found your explanations
enlightening. Do you paint as well?”
Lorna smiled, “I do, but I'm not very well-known.”
Naylor seemed slightly disappointed by her modesty and inquired further, “What
style do you specialize in?”
Lorna replied, “Landscapes.”
After a moment, something occurred to her, “Oh, I have a painting called
“Frostfall that was accepted into the exhibition. Why haven't I seen it?”
Naylor promptly guided the group toward a corner of the exhibition hall, “Ah, that
painting! I remember it; it's over here.”
As they approached, they could see a crowd already gathered, admiring the
work, “This “Frostfall seems quite remarkable!”
Naylor, taller than most, caught sight of the painting and his eyes lit up, “I agree,
it's excellent.”
Mrs. Brown, ever candid, beamed at Lorna, “Mrs. Delaney, everyone's praising
your painting!”
Lorna's eyes sparkled with joy.
Unseen to her, Fanny had been watching warily and followed close behind.
Hearing the praises, she stiffened and her piercing gaze landed on “Frostfall.
So, this was Lorna's work? She recalled that Nana was Lorna's pseudonym back
in college.
Furrowing her brow, she heard someone ask, “Could someone explain this
painting to me?”
Fanny boldly took
The exhibition provided guides for such inquiries, and one was about to step
forward when Fanny the initiative, “Allow me.”
The guide recognized her and laughed, “This is Fanny, a pinnacle figure in the
national landscape painting scene. Who better to explain than her?”
The guide handed her the microphone.
Being critiqued publicly made Lorna grip her fingers tightly, a mix of nerves and
anticipation.
Fanny began with a smile, closely analyzing the painting. “This piece has an air
of detachment, its composition vast and simple, the scenery minimal. The artist
uses a side stroke technique to depict the ruggedness of the mountains and
rocks...”
She showered it with praise.
Mrs. Brown gave Lorna a thumbs-up. “Mrs. Delaney, you're truly impressive.”
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’
But hardly had the words left Fanny's
lips when she pivoted sharply,
« : : :
..however, this piece is overly
technical, lacking in depth and soul. It
. ) :
seems the artist hasn't picked up a
5 ) 5
brush in years. There's a stiffness, a
: : FR)
hesitancy in the strokes. Such a pity
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Her remark elicited a collective sigh from the crowd.
The nuances of watercolor are profound, understood by only a rare few. Many
artists reputations are inflated. by hype, like Fanny.
Yet, she was the most renowned landscape painter in the country at the moment,
and her critique was cruciall
Chapter 13
The others, only having a superficial understanding and not wishing to expose
their ignorance, quickly echoed Fanny’s sentiments:
“I knew something was off about this painting. Now that Fanny has pointed it out,
it's clear!”
“How did this even make it into the selection?”
“They must have bought their way in.”
Lorna's face turned ashen, her frame quivering, and it was only Cordelia’s timely
support that kept her upright.
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Feigning ignorance, Fanny glanced
« .
towards the staff, “Such a piece
) i
doesn't belong here. Take it down,
, ”
let's not embarrass ourselves.” The
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The staff member nodded and moved to remove the painting when Naylor
interjected, “Actually, it seems quite alright to me.”
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« . 5
Fanny chuckled, “Mr. Finegan, you're
o . )
an oil painter. There's a world of
difference between oil and
’
watercolor. It's understandable that
) : »
you'd miss these nuances.” The
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the latest chapter there!
Naylor was silent for a moment before he spoke again, “Perhaps I should invite
my father to have a look then.”
Chapter 132