The color of the clouds in the distance needs to be deeper and softer. It might create a more harmonious effect."


    Leonard froze for a moment.


    This painting was thest piece he had created before bing the head of the Lerman family. He had spent an entire night on a mountain, finally deciding to give up his paintbrush to fight for the family''s leadership. He painted this final piece as a farewell to the life he loved.


    But after finishing it, he always felt it wasn''t as perfect as his earlier works. He had even discussed it with Aurora, who suggested that perhaps his state of mind had changed, which was why he found the painting wed. He could never pinpoint the reason and gradually came to believe she was right-that his perspective had shifted.


    A few days ago, while putting Aurora''s gift away in the storage room, he stumbled upon the painting again and found himself thinking of Summer. What would she think of it?


    He never expected Summer to give him such a specific and insightful suggestion.


    Though Leonard could no longer paint, modern technology made it easy to have his work reproduced. He picked up his phone and arranged for it to be done. Two hourster, he stared at the re-colored artwork, his dark eyes filled with a deep intensity.


    "Summer is truly one of a kind," he murmured to himself. "She sees things differently than any other artist."


    He took a photo of the revised painting and sent it to her. "Thank you for the suggestion. It was incredibly helpful."


    Ste Cameron smiled faintly as she looked at the image of the repainted piece. It was indeed far more harmonious than the original. She replied, "You''re wee. I''m happy I could help."


    On the other side of the screen, Leonard felt a strange sense of unreality as he read her response. She was happy just because she could help him?


    He had grown so ustomed to cold calctions and transactional rtionships that he could hardly remember thest time someone had helped him without weighing the benefits Exen his own sister Simone, only helped and cared for him because he provided her with security and support.


    ...


    Just as Ste sent the email, a soft knock sounded on her office door. "Come in,"


    she said. Joshua Gardner entered, holding an invitation.


    He paused, noticing the faint,


    lingering smile on her lips. His eyes darted to herptop before settling on her face his gaze deep and searching. "Who were you chatting with, Star? You look happy


    Ste didn''t hide anything. "It was just a girl who used to buy my paintings. She


    asked for my opinion on one of her pieces, so I gave her some advice."


    Hearing it was a girl, Joshua visibly rxed. He handed her the invitation. "Star, this


    is for Old Mr. Chapman''s birthday g this weekend."


    As a top-tier family, the Williamses were expected to attend such a significant event, especially since the Williams and Chapman families had already agreed to an alliance, with only the official engagement date left to be set.


    Ste nced at the invitation and nodded. "Alright, I''ve got it."


    Normally, Joshua would have left immediately after delivering something, but today,


    he lingered by her side. "Is there something else, Joshua?" Ste asked.


    He looked down at her, his dark eyes reflecting her image. "You''ll need an escort for this g, Star. Have you thought about who you''ll ask?"