Brandon's expression turned into one of disbelief when he heard Holly. "Really? Did you really capture its essence?"She replied, "Yes! I was almost moved to tears when I looked at it. It was my first time feeling that way after almost 20 years of painting."Holly had always been a modest person. She was never one to boast about herself, but today was an exception. It was more of an honest expression of her feelings than self-praise.Brandon's voice broke out in excitement, "Hurry and bring your painting over! Let me see it!"Holly replied, "I haven't gotten it framed yet."Brandon anxiously said, "There's no need. Just show me the painting. If I end up liking it, you don't have to worry about framing and such."Holly said, "Alright. Where should we meet?"Brandon replied, "Just come over to my house. I'll send the address to your WhatsApp.""I'll be there in an hour."After ending the call, Holly washed up, got dressed, and hastily ate. She then rolled up the painting and got
Brandon was met with Penelope, who had just returned from outside. Penelope tossed her handbag onto the couch and eyed Brandon.Seeing his odd expression, she couldn't help but ask, "What's with you today, Dad? You seem rather excited."Brandon reached out to rub his eyes and replied, "Holly's painting is surprisingly good! I'm getting her a check for the remaining payment."Penelope felt uncomfortable hearing him praise someone else effortlessly.She frowned and said in a rather confrontational tone, "It's just a painting. How good can it be?""It's unexpectedly good! You laymen wouldn't understand," Brandon casually replied before opening his bag and pulling out his checkbook.He picked up a pen and was about to sign it when Penelope snatched the pen away from him.She glanced over to the study before whispering, "Are you stupid, Dad? She's Bryce's ex-wife. Why are you enabling her?"The more outstanding Holly was, the dimmer Penelope's limelight would become. She didn't wa
Holly felt that this painting was the best she had ever replicated over the past 20 years. It had a perfect composition and looked grand, with realistic and lifelike details.But it was all rejected by Brandon and his client. She even started doubting her abilities for a split second.When Holly finally rolled up the painting, she picked it up and left Zeller Residence.…It was already dark by the time she returned to Winds Residences.Holly sat dejectedly in the study with the lights turned off. She quietly sat in the dark—even her usual straight posture seemed stooped.Waves of depressive emotions came crashing down upon her. She felt deeply upset and defeated.Leitia came knocking on her door to remind her about dinner.Holly replied listlessly, "I'm not hungry. You can eat without me and get off work after that."Leitia could tell that Holly was upset. She then hurriedly went down to call Bryce.Once the call was connected, Leitia anxiously said, "Mrs. Gabelman isn't in
Tobin hesitated before saying, "I heard that Hunter is an oddball. It's hard for non-acquaintances to make appointments with him."Bryce responded with a hum before ending the call. After a moment of silence, he called Richard.When the call was connected, Bryce asked, "Do you know a wealthy foreign businessman named Hunter Fox, Grandpa? He's in his 70s and used to live in the country before he moved abroad. He's into antiques, especially collecting Keith Fox's paintings."Richard thought for a moment before replying, "I know him. We had some dealings back in the day. Do you need something from him?"Bryce asked, "Are you guys close?"Richard replied, "Somewhat. I once did him a favor over 30 years ago."Bryce asked, "Was it a big favor or a small one?"Richard said, "It's not too small a favor."His "not too small" favor was likely a huge one.Bryce got what he needed and replied, "Alright. I'll hang up now."Richard snorted and grumbled, "You little rascal! You called me in
Holly was caught off guard by the news. It took her a while to regain the glint in her eyes.She turned to look at Bryce, asking, "Is what you said true? That man really liked my painting?"Bryce chuckled and replied, "Yes. He was regretful when he heard you refused to sell it to him."Holly realized that Brandon had lied to her and made her doubt herself.Bryce pinched her cheeks and clicked his tongue. "Look at you, acting like the world has ended over such a trivial matter. You even refused to eat!"Holly rolled her eyes at him, and he smiled.Bryce stood up and walked over to the desk to spread out the painting. He then inspected it closely and said, "Look at how realistic this painting is. One would think that such a majestic painting was drawn by some burly man instead."You're so talented, Holls. Your mountain painting looked even more real than the mountain itself. The same goes for your prawn and bamboo paintings."Holly knew he was trying to cheer her up with his flat
Hunter rubbed his eyes and extended his hand toward Sion. Sion astutely handed him a high-powered magnifying glass.Hunter took the magnifying glass and carefully examined the painting, looking from the top to the bottom.While examining, he nodded and said, "These determined and robust brushstrokes were indeed employing the sfumato and impasto techniques that Keith Fox was best at."After putting down the magnifying glass, Hunter looked at Holly with a bright gaze. "Did you really paint this, miss?"Holly smiled, replying, "I painted it, yes."Hunter regarded her with a skeptical gaze and remarked, "You looked very young."Holly replied truthfully, "I'm 23 years old."Hunter got even more suspicious. "You're so young, yet your brushstrokes are so robust. You're not tricking me, are you?"Holly calmly said, "I've been learning restoration from my grandfather, Winston Sinclair, since I was young. Painting copies is only part of the basic skills I've learned."Even though I'm
Hunter smiled kindly and said, "You're welcome. It's what you deserved."Holly took the check and sat down. She was shocked when she looked at the amount. It was ten million dollars in foreign currency.That was over 66 million dollars in their currency. It was the price tag of a veteran expert in the art industry.Holly was an honest person. She hurriedly reminded Hunter, "Did you perhaps make a mistake with the amount, Mr. Fox?"She thought the 15 million dollars Brandon had offered her were already hefty. She didn't expect Hunter to pay her even more.Hunter laughed out loud and said, "I didn't. I'm paying you ten million dollars in foreign currency because your painting is worth that price. You've already achieved so much at your age. You're bound to accomplish even more in the future.""But the price is just too high," Holly said, finding herself undeserving of the money.Hunter rubbed his chin and chuckled. "It's not high since this painting happened to be of my liking. Ke
Abelin pressed the doorbell, and Sion opened the door to usher him in.He keyed in the password to unlock the lockbox before presenting it to Hunter. "I've found what you wanted, Mr. Fox. Please take a look."Hunter glanced over and saw that it was the iridescent pulled-feather Favrile glass vase that he wanted.He thanked Abelin before asking, "You said over the phone that you needed to talk to me about something?"Abelin chuckled and said, "I heard you were looking for 'The Travelers' by Keith Fox, and I knew a friend who replicated one. But I suppose you don't need my recommendation anymore since I just saw her leaving the building."Hunter had long since become a wise man in his 70s. He immediately guessed who Abelin was talking about.He praised, "That young woman is truly remarkable—even more so than her grandfather back in those days. She managed to copy Keith Fox's painting with such accuracy and depth at such a young age."Most female painters tend to have a gentle styl