Arthur nced at <b>Cecilia</b>. His gaze flickered for a moment, hen he looked over at Nancy. “Ms. Stanton<b>, </b>Mr. <b>Larkin </b>was nning to purchase that piece. Maybe you should reconsider.”
Nancy didn’t quite understand why Jayson suddenly wanted the painting, but now that they had run into Cecilia…
“It’s fine, Arthur.” Sarah stepped in. “Just let Mr. Larkin know. I’m making the call on this one. I’m giving it <b>to </b>Ms. Pryce.”
She understood who Cecilia was. And if one painting could epen a door with someone like her, it was more than worth it.
Besides, she would be holding an exhibition in Cecilia’s art museum soon. This painting was more like a gesture. One that could turn into something mutual down the road.
Nancy knew what Sarah was thinking. She told Arthur, “Don’t worry. I’ll talk to Jayson.”
Arthur stift looked like he wanted to object.
With a cold expression, Cecilia nced at Nancy. “Well then, thank you, Ms. Stanton. Saves me a pretty penny.”
Nancy knew that someone like Cecilia wasn’t exactly easy to deal with. Although she had wanted to give the painting to Jayson, she was sure he would understand her intention.
“It’s nothing, Ms. Pryce. If this means we can be friends, then I’m happy to give it,” Nancy said.
Suddenly, Cecilia chuckled. “Sure. I don’t make friends with just anyone, you know.”
With that, she turned to Dn. “Wrap it up and have it sent to my car<b>.</b>”
Dn nced briefly at Arthur before giving the order.
Arthur looked at the painting but decided not to say anything.
Once Cecilia had left with the painting, Sarah patted Nancy’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about upsetting Jayson. He cares too much about you to make a fuss. I’ll send him a few more piecester. This one was worth it to earn favor with Ms. Pryce.
Besides, she was well aware that Cecilia had serious clout in the art world. Born into wealth and luxury, she made a name for herself abroad at an early age.
“With Ms. Pryce’s fierce loyalty toward those she deems worthy, if she’s on your side, Ariel’s bound to suffer.” Nancy hadn’t thought about it that way. But she couldn’t deny that it made sense.
Ariel arrived at the gallery half an hour early.
The exhibition was supposed to start at 1:00 pm, but she showed up shortly after noon.
However, as she nced at the already–opened exhibition hall, she couldn’t help but frown.
It wasn’t until she stepped inside that she realized that the exhibition had already begun.
She casually asked a staff member, who informed her, “We started three hours early today.”
Ariel was surprised. She had no idea why the exhibition suddenly started earlier than nned, and she wasn’t even informed.
<b>But </b><b>she </b><b>didn’t </b><b>press </b><b>for </b>answers. Instead, she headed <b>straight </b><b>for </b><b>the </b>section <b>she </b>had her eye <b>on</b>.
???
When she <b>got </b>there, she noticed that the spot where the patting was supposed to hang was <b>empty</b>,
A sinking feeling gripped Ariel<b>. </b>She spun around and went ask someone.
The <b>staff </b>member replied, “The painting was sold about two hours ago.<b>” </b>
Ariel inhaled sharply. She had made a point of arriving early, only to find out they had moved the schedule up by three hours. And now, the very piece she caine for was sold
“Can I ask who bought it?”
The staff member nced at her. “I don’t know the exact details. All I know is it was a young gentleman with thest name Larkin.”
A storm of emotion flickered across Ariel’s eyes. Deep down, she had already suspected it.
A young man with thest name Larkin? Who else could it be?
When Ariel came out, her expression was nearly nk.
She sat in the car for a long while, forcing herself to settle her thoughts. Only then did she take out her phone and dial Jayson’s number again.
When he picked up, he said nothing. He waited for her to start.
A chill crept into her eyes. “Jayson, did you buy the painting I’ve been looking for?