Chapter 9
On the day of Katelyn’s art exhibition, Lenora spent over an hour on meticulous makeup. Her soft, long hair was styled into a fishtail plait hanging down her back, with a few loose strands framing her forehead. Wearing a beige silk loose shirt and a green skirt, she exuded both elegance and a touch of sensuality
When Aran saw her, he couldn’t help but let out a light, teasing whistle. “Lenora, when are you planning to get a boyfriend? Can you give me a number so I can get in line first?”
Lenora found it amusing, replying, “Don’t be cheeky.”
“I’m serious,” Aran replied, taking off his sunglasses and looking down at her with genuine earnestness.
Lenora was taken aback; she wasn’t ready to start a relationship, let alone mess around with the young talents in her
company.
She didn’t respond to his words but simply got into the Maserati
Aran didn’t mind it but quickly moved on, “Don’t worry, Lenora. Cassidy told me everything. I’ll definitely get you back in the game today.”
Lenora felt relieved and gave him a light smile. “Thank you then
“No problem!”
The blue Maserati roared away and soon pulled up stylishly downstairs at Katelyn’s gallery, drawing many glances.
Lenora unbuckled her seatbelt and walked over to Aran in her high heels, linking her arm with his as they entered the
venue.
The guard at the entrance stopped them. “Sir, ma’am, please show your invitation.”
Lenora retrieved the invitation from her bag and handed it to the guard, who verified it before allowing them to pass.
Besides Katelyn’s paintings, today’s art exhibition also featured works from many famous artists on loan, so not just anyone could enter.
The Sheppard family might not match the Brandt family. They were still a well–known wealthy family in Hobart City.
Katelyn’s gallery spanned nearly 5,000 square feet, with an annual rent close to a million dollars, and the decoration was even more extravagant–the chandelier above the entrance, which Lenora happened to recognize, was designed by an artist from Atholand and cost over 350 thousand dollars.
Many display cabinets in the venue had been moved, freeing up large spaces for guests to view the exhibits.
Undeniably, Katelyn’s paintings were quite intriguing, although Lenora didn’t quite understand them.
And it naturally attracted a lot of media attention.
Aran dressed simply today, with a shirt and casual beige straight–leg pants, wearing a pair of sunglasses on Dis face, which made the media reporters momentarily fail to recognize him.
Climbing to the second floor, Lenora spotted Katelyn from a distance. Today, Katelyn wore a floral long dress, her long hair cascading down her back, looking very gentle and charming.
Harley hadn’t arrived yet, but Katelyn had been glancing downstairs already.
Lenora and Aran ventured deeper into the second floor, discovering an open–air balcony.
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Chapter 9
The balcony featured three–parasols, each with chairs and stools beneath them. Adjacent to this was a colorful mural wall, and surprisingly, in an extra corner of the wall, free drinks and desserts were provided.
With everyone outside, this place was surprisingly peaceful.
Lenora glanced at Aran, inviting, “Want to sit for a while?”
“Sure!” Aran readily agreed.
Art was too lofty for Lenora’s taste.
While those inside were passionately discussing Van Gogh and Da Vinci, Lenora and Aran conversed about recent gossip in the entertainment industry.
Lenora wasn’t as obsessed with celebrity gossip as Cassidy, but she didn’t mind listening to it occasionally.
With juice, cakes on the table, and a handsome guy to chat with, Lenora felt she could sit there all afternoon. But that was just wishful thinking; she came to add some trouble for Carla today.
She put down her juice and glanced at Aran. “The main characters should be arriving soon. Let’s go in too.” With a smile, she picked up her bag and stood up.
They hadn’t even entered when Carla’s surprised voice rang out. How did you get in here?!”
Seeing Lenora, Carla felt an inexplicable sense of superiority, but upon seeing Lenora’s strikingly beautiful face, she was instantly annoyed.
Every time she saw Lenora, Carla couldn’t help but be sarcastic, and today was no exception. “Do you even know what kind of place this is? Is this somewhere you should be, Lenora? You didn’t come here on purpose to wait for my brother, begging him to remarry you, did you?”
Carla felt more and more justified as she analyzed. “I’m telling you, Lenora, don’t even think about it! If you want to remarry Harley, you’d better beg me first. Maybe I’ll put in a good word for you. Although he still won’t agree in the end, at least he might listen to a few words from you. So, what do you think? My proposal isn’t bad, right? There are not many people here, so you-”
She was so focused on confronting Lenora that it wasn’t until now that she noticed a man standing beside Lenora.
And this man looked somewhat familiar. When she confirmed that the man was Aran, the expression on her face was nothing short of spectacular. “How did you end up with Aran?” she stuttered.
Lenora didn’t respond to her but glanced sideways at Aran.
Aran took off his sunglasses. “I accompanied Lenora here.”
“How–how could you!” Carla looked at Aran, almost on the verge of tears.
Lenora remained silent, looking at Carla as if she were a clown.
After a while, she had seen enough of Carla’s expression. “Let’s go,” she said.
Carla was almost driven mad. She had originally thought those photos from a few days ago were just misaligned shots by paparazzi, and she kept reassuring herself that Aran had no relationship with Lenora and never would. But today, she witnessed him standing side by side with Lenora.
‘How dare she! That bitch doesn’t deserve it!‘ Carla cursed inwardly.
“Stop!” she commanded.
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Chapter 9
Yet no one paid her any attention. Lenora had already re–entered the gallery, followed by Aran, whose thin lips were slightly curved. They were whispering to each other, both looking delighted.
Carla’s eyes turned red with anger, and she quickly chased after them.
Just a few steps in, Lenora and Aran ran into Katelyn and Harley with a large group of media journalists behind thern, cameras and tripods in hand.
The atmosphere stiffened for a moment, broken by Katelyn. “Ms Maynard, long time no see.”
Lenora nodded. “I got nothing better to do, so I came to take a look. The art exhibition is quite good.”
Katelyn gave a slight gasp, seeming a bit surprised. “I didn’t expect Ms. Maynard to like my paintings. It’s my honor.”
Her words were quite sly. Lenora had only complimented the exhibition, yet Katelyn forcefully implied Lenora liked her paintings. Her light–hearted words lacked humility, making many believe she was mocking Lenora for pretending to understand what she didn’t.
Lenora raised an eyebrow. “I don’t know much about art appreciation, but I remember Aran was studying art before he debuted.”
She paused, looking at Aran. “How are Miss Sheppard’s paintings?”
“Not so good,” Aran commented without mercy.
Lenora glared at him, joking, “Stop, Miss Sheppard will kick us out.”
Katelyn didn’t look happy, but hearing Lenora’s words, she could only force a smile. “Mr. Wylder’s evaluation is indeed accurate. Compared to Mr. Wylder, I certainly fall short.”
Aran showed no trace of modesty, adding, “Yes, which is why I had my agent reject the last collaboration. I hope Miss Sheppard doesn’t mind.”
“No, not at all.” Katelyn tried to maintain her composure.
Lenora watched as Katelyn clenched her teeth in frustration. Understanding that it was time to stop, she glanced back at Aran. “Alright, should I have known you didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have come. Let’s go, don’t hold up Miss Sheppard.”
“Whatever you say,” Aran replied.
The two turned and left, and from beginning to end, Lenora never even glanced at Harley beside Katelyn.
On the contrary, Harley’s dark gaze stayed fixed on Lenora. When Aran called out Lenora so gently, it only sounded harsh and unpleasant to his ears.
‘So intimate… What’s going on between them?‘ he wondered.
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