?Chapter 65:


    No one expected Elliana to confront Luciano head-on, leaving everyone a bit stunned.


    Rage darkened Luciano’s features as blood rushed to his face. Had they not been surrounded by cameras broadcasting to millions of viewers, his bodyguards would have swiftly taught Elliana the price of defiance. After decades of unchallenged authority in the art world, someone had actually dared to question him publicly, and his fury was palpable.


    Noticing Luciano’s struggle to keep his fury in check, Paige quickly stepped in. “Elliana, Mr. Scott speaks frankly because he wishes to guide you. You ought to receive his wisdom with gratitude. How dare you respond with such disrespect? With such impulsive behavior, your artistic growth remains impossible.”


    Paige acted like Elliana had done something outrageous instead of simply asking a few questions. She pressed further. “Apologize to Mr. Scott immediately!”


    Elliana’s lips curled into a dismissive smile. “A self-proimed master whose reputation exceeds his talent has no business offering advice to anyone.”


    “You!” Luciano sputtered. Elliana’s words stung.


    Humiliated and seething, Luciano stormed out, his entourage scrambling to follow in his wake.


    Since the uing ceremony of officially bing Luciano’s disciple demanded her presence, Paige cast Elliana a venomous nce before hurrying after Luciano.


    The camera crew trailed behind, leaving Elliana and Hailee alone in the sudden quiet.


    Without the oppressive scrutiny of cameras, Hailee’s shoulders rxed as tension drained from her posture. “Elliana,” she whispered anxiously, “we’vepletely alienated Mr. Scott. Do you think he’ll retaliate? He strikes me not as a magnanimous master but as someone who nurses grudges.”


    Elliana’s softughter surprised her friend. “Don’t fret. His moment in the spotlight is fleeting. By tomorrow, he’ll be ostracized, powerless to harm either of us.”


    Confusion flickered across Hailee’s face, questions forming on her lips when sudden movements caught her attention.


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    A middle-aged man had entered silently, wearing a ck jacket and cap that shadowed his mncholy eyes and drawn features.


    Both Elliana and Hailee recognized him as one of Luciano’s silent followers, though his exact role remained mysterious.


    Elliana was bewildered. Why had this man returned after departing with Luciano’s group?


    The man locked eyes with Elliana, parted his lips as if to speak, then hesitated and closed them again. With a heavy sigh, he turned to leave.


    “Elliana,” Hailee murmured, “he seemed desperate to tell you something but held back, as though afraid.”


    Elliana lowered her gaze withoutment, checking her phone to monitor the livestream.


    The broadcast now showed Paige and Luciano proceeding down a corridor, surrounded by admirers, heading toward the ceremony venue. Yet, the chat ovey buzzed with discussions about Elliana instead. Comments about the confrontationpletely overshadowed Paige’s supposedly impressive artwork.


    “Has Elliana lost her mind? This is the second time she’s driven Mr. Scott to storm off.”


    “She mightck conventional talent or beauty, but her courage is admirable.”


    “They never showed a close-up of her artwork, but from a distance, it looks remarkable.”


    “True, it appears impressive from afar. Perhaps the details don’t meet professional standards.”


    “I’m no expert, but Hailee’s painting looks extraordinary too.”


    Elliana tucked away her phone and turned to Hailee. “Time to submit our paintings for thepetition.”


    “Are we really going through with this?” Uncertainty lingered in Hailee’s voice. “I still don’t understand how we’ll advance directly to the finals…”


    “Everything’s arranged. Justplete the entry form.”


    As though summoned by Elliana’s words, two ck-d attendants entered, bowing respectfully as they presented documents to her. “Ms. Marsh, here are thepetition entry forms for yourpletion.”


    Elliana epted both, keeping one and passing the other to Hailee.


    Scanning the form’s contents, Hailee’s heart quickened with excitement. “Elliana, you’re entering too? That’s fantastic! Your painting has a genuine chance of winning!”


    Elliana responded with a cryptic smile, “Let’s fill them out.”


    Hailee nodded eagerly. She and Ellianapleted their forms. The attendants collected both forms and paintings before departing silently.


    Taskpleted, Hailee and Elliana left the room.


    Upon entering the chamber designated for Paige to be Luciano’s disciple, Hailee and Elliana encountered Haley’s off-camera wrath. Her face contorted with displeasure as she hissed, “Do you have any sense of responsibility as show guests? The ceremony begins momentarily, and you’re tardy. Are you deliberately trying to void your contracts?”


    Since the entire production revolved around Paige, with everyone else serving merely as supporting characters, Elliana remained indifferent to threats of contract termination.


    Hailee, however, trembled with concern. She participated in the show out of financial necessity, and premature dismissal would devastate her finances. “I apologize profusely, Ms. Faulkner. It won’t happen again.”


    Haley snorted derisively. “Enough excuses. Take your positions.”


    Hailee hurried to her designated spot, terrified of causing further dys.


    As Elliana moved to join her, something unexpected caught her eye…


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