SWNOVELS Chapter 146
Chapter 146
The painting is too massive, and even if we started copying it now, we'd be
cutting it too close!”
“We can't even patch it up. Teagan did a number on it.”
“What are we going to do? Loads of international guests came just for this
painting, and Miss Fanny is Just wicked for using it to cause trouble!”
There was silence.
Ballaster sighed deeply, “I knew she was up to no good, and I deliberately didn’t
interfere. But when I realized she was using the painting to do harm, it was
already too late to stop her. Now we've made a huge blunder. I've urgently
contacted a few people, but they can't guarantee they'll get the rest of the
replicas here before the gallery opens tomorrow.”
Lorna furrowed her brow as well.
When Ballaster said Fanny was out to get her, asking for her cooperation, she
never imagined Fanny would go this far, using the painting for her schemes.
What do they do now?
Fanny struggled to her feet, looking almost mad, and burst out laughing, “Haha,
Lorna, I lost. I totally lost! But what does it matter if I've lost? You're all going
down with me!”
As she ranted, she began to cry. “Why? Why are you always number one? Even
though I'm the one who's been working the hardest. You, with your love—struck
brain, you only care about romance. What do you know about
art?”
She swiveled to face Ballaster, continuing her tirade, “And Ballaster, why do you
favor her? Fine, I screwed up. I'll resign, compensate for the damages, even quit
painting! But what about you? With such a mess at the exhibition, aren't you
responsible? Hahaha... Lorna, in the end, it's you who have ruined Ballaster!
You're all going down with me in disgrace!”
Ballaster’s expression darkened, “You're still refusing to admit fault even when
facing the end. Get her out of
here!*
Security rushed in and, in front of everyone, grabbed Fanny by the arms and
dragged her out of the gallery. She was thrown out, her reputation in ruins, justly
deserved.
In the room, Teagan, witnessing the scene, buckled to his knees and cried out, “It
was all Fanny's doing, she forced me! My art wasn't making it big, I painted every
day, but couldn't earn a dime. My family mocked me, pressured me to give up.
She forced me, she sold my paintings, and I had to give her ninety percent of the
profits... I had no choice. We're poor, I needed the money...
lip but tear up as well.
As he cried, covering his face, many of the other artists couldn't help but tear
There are so many artists, but how many of them are truly known? What do the
rest live on? The process of chasing dreams is painful, they are human too, they
have families. How many wives scorn their husbands for not having a steady
income, leading to broken homes? How many husbands grow tired of their wives
persistence and part ways?
The pain of it all was known to no one. Yet it was because of these dream
chasers that so many masterpieces
remain.
You couldn't argue that he was in the wrong, but his methods lacked the integrity
you would expect from an esteemed artist.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy, and someone sighed, “So, what's the
point of our persistence?”
Lorna spoke up, “It's about dreams and legacy.”
Everyone paused.
1/3
12
Lorna's voice was gentle, her speech slow and deliberate, “Watercolor art is
becoming less and less noticed. If we don’t stick with it, will it one day vanish
from history?”
Everyone stood a little straighter, a sense of mission kindling within them.
Lorna continued, “We can't let life grind down our spirit, but we also can't
abandon life for our dreams, right? 1. think our Art Association should take on
some projects, provide some work and income. Ballaster, that video game project
surely needs a lot of artwork, maybe everyone could get involved?”
Ballaster nodded, “I think that's a good idea.”
The Art Association members perked up, their spirits lifted, but then a worry
crossed their minds, “But what about the painting?”
Just then, Cordelia spoke up smoothly, “I'll make a call.”
After saying so, she picked up her phone and dialed Everard’s number. It was
answered promptly, his deep voice coming through, “Kid, it's rare for you to call
me. Miss me?”
Cordelia fell silent for a moment before saying, “I need to ask you something.”
“Shoot,” Everard's every word seemed to flirt effortlessly, “I'm all ears when you
need me.”
Cordelia rolled her eyes and said, “Do you have a replica of “Thousand Mile
River?”
There was a brief silence on the other end.
Cordelia thought for a moment; a replica of that painting would be quite valuable,
and it
painting would be quite valuable, and it was normal if Everard
didn’t have one.
She was about to speak again when Everard said, “I suppose I do.”
Cordelia’s eyes lit up, “Could you lend it to the gallery for a day?”
“Sure, but it can't get there until tomorrow.”
“Fine.”
Finishing, Cordelia hung up and turned to everyone, “It's sorted. By tomorrow
morning, someone will deliver the painting. It won't affect the exhibition, don’t
worry.”
Everyone else were at a loss for words. Should they believe a little girl's
promise?
But right now, there was no other option!
The next day, everyone arrived at the gallery early, necks craned like statues
waiting for their sailors, staring at the gallery entrance.
The gallery opened at eight, and it was already half-past seven,
The painting had to arrive by seven-fifty to hang it in time.
All were on tenterhooks, except for Cordelia, who watched the entrance with an
unfazed gaze.
Then Fanny walked in, looking haggard and with reddened eyes, as though she'd
had a rough night.
Ballaster frowned, “What are you doing here?”
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Fanny, bitter and seemingly
. «
unhinged, sneered, “l came to watch
your downfall! Haha, without
“ : : “ )
Thousand Mile River’, there's bound
) 5
to be an uproar today. I can't wait to
) »
see how you'll calm the storm!” The
content is on Novelxo.org! Read
the latest chapter there!
Naylor chimed in, “Then you might be disappointed. The Delaney’s have already
found a suitable replacement.”
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Fanny paused, a moment of surprise
flickering across her face before she
. “
burst into laughter, “Knockoffs? Hal
That painting is a masterpiece, nearly
impossible to replicate. There are
hardly any convincing fakes out there
Do you really think the people coming
to the exhibition are fools, unable to
: ”
spot a blatant fake from miles away?
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Read the latest chapter there!
Chapter 146
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She then turned her gaze toward
. “
Lorna, her eyes narrowing. “And do
you have any idea, Lorna, that as of
yesterday, all those folks who bought
my paintings have been banging on
my door demanding refunds? Even
my husband, in a desperate attempt
to save his business, is talking about
3 ely
divorce. My life's in shambles... but if
: , . :
you think you've ruined me, think
: )
again! You won't get off scot—free
5 Pa :
either! Let's just see what kind of
cheap, shoddy imitation you manage
. "
to dig up today, Lorna!” The content
is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Chapter 147