?Chapter 58:


    Without needing direction, the crowd stepped aside, leaving a clear path that led the camera straight to Elliana.


    With a sharine smile, Paige turned to Luciano and said, “Forgive the interruption, Mr. Scott, but I was hoping Elliana could hear your thoughts firsthand. She should see what new art feels like.”


    Luciano returned the gesture, offering a mild smile and a small nod in response.


    Paige lifted her hand in an inviting wave. “Elliana, hurry up and get over here!”


    Elliana didn’t have much choice under so many watchful eyes. She made her way forward and stood next to Paige without hesitation. With a sugary tone, Paige made the introduction. “Mr. Scott, meet my sister Elliana. I’d love for you to mentor her too.”


    Moments earlier, Paige and Luciano had pretended it was their first encounter, keeping things formal and proper. But once Paige quoted a few lines, Lucianoid on thepliments thick, his praise gentle but overwhelming, slowly coaxing her intofort.


    Their performance was seamless. Everyone in the room assumed that Luciano saw real potential in Paige and was already considering her as a future protégé.


    Those trying to grab even a minute of Luciano’s time were left watching in envy, just like the thousands tuning into the livestream. Paige had clearly stolen the spotlight.


    With Paige’s invitation cing her in the spotlight, Elliana suddenly looked like the next chosen one in the eyes of the crowd.


    Online,ments poured in, overflowing with admiration for Paige’s apparent generosity.


    “Unbelievable! After everything, Paige still hands Elliana this kind of chance? That level of kindness is rare—some people chase this moment for a lifetime.”


    “Exactly. Paige has done her part—now it’s Elliana’s move.”


    Fresh uploads now at gα?ησν??ls


    Deep down, Elliana wasn’t fooled. She could see the trap dressed up as kindness. Just as she had expected, the moment yed out exactly that way.


    Luciano gave Elliana a once-over and then let out a short, mockingugh. “Is that getup supposed to show us how much you know about art?”


    The crowd erupted. Laughter echoed through the space, and every eye turned toward Elliana as if she were the punchline of a long-winded joke.


    Elliana didn’t blink. Her hand went to her untamed wig, and her gaze shifted to the framed photograph of a world-famous artist hanging just behind Luciano. “So tell me, Mr. Scott. Are you saying he doesn’t get art either?”


    Everyone turned to see what had caught her eye. On the wall hung a portrait of a legendary artist from the previous century—his hair just as untamed and his face just as boldly painted as Elliana’s.


    A faint smirk tugged at Elliana’s lips. “When a genius wears it, you call it expression. But when someone like me does the same thing, suddenly it’s ignorance? Tell me, Mr. Scott, do you judge art or the artist?”


    The question hit Luciano like a p. Color drained from his cheeks before rushing back in full force.


    On the livestream, the chat exploded withughter.


    “You know, I thought Elliana’s outfit was a bit much at first, but after seeing that artist, she doesn’t seem so out of ce. This isn’t weird—it’s art!”


    “LOL, she flipped the script! Mr. Scott definitely came off a little biased there.”


    “Weren’t we told Elliana was awkward and clueless? She just wrecked that narrative with oneeback!”


    Noticing the livestreamments drifting away from the show’s intended focus, Paige swiftly stepped in to steer the conversation back on track and lighten the moment for Luciano. “Mr. Scott, could you please introduce us to Rosa’s Spring Goddess?”


    Thankful for the lifeline, Lucianotched onto the new topic and dove straight into his monologue about Spring Goddess.


    With focus restored to the painting, Paige allowed herself a quiet exhale—though not without casting a daggered nce in Elliana’s direction.


    What rattled Paige most was how unpredictable Elliana had be. Every word from Elliana now had the potential to knock her off bnce. Elliana tilted her head slightly, a half-smile ying on her lips as she listened to Luciano’s polished introduction of her creation, Spring Goddess.


    “Rosa is widely celebrated across the globe for her brilliance in fashion and jewelry design, but long before sheunched the Rosa brand, her talent first emerged through painting. One of her earliest creations, Spring Goddess, holds a special ce in her artistic journey. The Ublento Art Museum was lucky enough to…”


    They added Spring Goddess to its collection five years ago, and it has remained one of its most cherished pieces ever since. As someone who deeply admires Rosa’s work, I’ve studied this painting in great detail. I encourage you all to take a closer look. This isn’t merely an oil painting—it’s nature captured through a master’s hand. After witnessing Rosa’s artistry, most other paintings struggle topare.”


    While Luciano continued his polished delivery, Elliana couldn’t help but think he and Paige might’ve taken the same drama ss—both excellent at memorizing their lines.


    With a smile still lingering, Luciano turned toward Paige. “Would you care to share your interpretation of Spring Goddess?”


    The question wasn’t spontaneous. It had been nned in advance, scripted to give Paige the spotlight and boost her standing in the viewers’ eyes.


    Paige’s smile radiated confidence as she replied, “I’ll do my best, Mr. Scott. I only hope my reflections do justice to Rosa’s brilliance.”


    .


    .


    .