Ariel froze mid–motion and turned toward the sound. Cecilia was striding in on high heels, poised
as ever.
Even Jayson glanced her way, though he stayed seated.
Sarah felt that Cecilia’s arrival could be seen as a show of support. After all, this was her art
museum.
She stood up and said, “Ms. Pryce, welcome.”
Cecilia glanced at Sarah with a cold smirk. “Hope I’m not interrupting? Is this interview going to be included in your press coverage?”
Sarah smiled. “It’s no problem. Ms. Pryce, please, have a seat.”
But Cecilia didn’t move. She narrowed her eyes slightly and glanced over at Nancy and then at Jayson beside her.
“No need for that. I’m just here to drop off a little gift.” Only then did Cecilia pull her gaze back and look at Sarah again. “Would now be a good time to receive it?”
Sarah, aware of Cecilia’s reputation in the industry, figured this might even boost the exhibition’s prestige. Smiling, she nodded politely. “Of course.”
Cecilia clapped her hands.
Ariel looked toward the entrance instinctively.
A staff member brought in a painting under Cecilia’s instruction.
The moment Ariel got a good look at it, she frowned in surprise.
That was “Delusion“, the same painting she had tried to retrieve from the gallery a few days ago.
Wasn’t it said to have been purchased by Jayson? So how did it end up with Cecilia?
Confused, she turned her gaze toward Jayson.
As if on cue, he looked up, and their eyes met. His expression was as calm and cold as ever.
Sarah and Nancy were just as baffled. They couldn’t quite figure out what Cecilia was playing at.
Sarah hesitated before asking, “Ms. Pryce, this is…
Cecilia sat down and tapped the frame lightly. “I think this piece deserves center stage. It’s miles ahead of the rest in both technique and impact. Dont you agree?”
A flicker of unease passed through Sarah’s eyes, though her face remained composed. “If you like it that much, I’ll give you another one after the exhibition.”
“Did I say I wanted any of your other work?” Cecilia gave her a slow once–over and said flatly,” Don’t make decisions for me.”
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Chapter 487
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Sarah hadn’t expected that response. Her brows tightened ever so slightly.
Something about Cecilia’s tone felt like she hadn’t come with good intentions.
Nancy was getting the same impression. She frowned at Cecilia.
Matt, meanwhile, was focused on the painting itself “Honestly, this one really does stand out.”
Several photographers had already shifted to capture it.
“Is it?” Jayson’s gaze landed on the painting.
Upon hearing that, Nancy finally spoke. “Jayson’s always been quite fond of this piece. But I met Ms. Pryce last time, and she happened to like it too, so I gave it to her.”
That wasn’t the only time. At the Spencer family’s calligraphy exhibition, Jayson had helped her snag it from Ariel. Later, he had told her a friend wanted it and asked if she minded giving it up. Of course, she had agreed.
But she never expected the painting to come full circle, back to the gallery.
Matt nodded in realization. “Mrs. Stanton really was brilliant back in the day too, huh? What do you think, Perry?”
Perry snapped out of his thoughts just as Jayson glanced his way. He pressed his lips together.” Yeah. Definitely.”
Ariel made a quick decision to wait and see.
Cecilia’s entrance caught everyone off guard.
As Sarah glanced at the painting, a flicker of something unreadable flashed through her eyes. “Ms. Pryce, since it was a gift, you didn’t need to bring it all the way here. There are already plenty of works on display today.”
The truth was, she didn’t like her older paintings resurfacing in the public eye back home.
This painting had been sold to a buyer overseas. She had no idea when it had found its way back.
That was exactly why she had wanted to buy it back during the Spencer family exhibition.
“Why not? Your work’s excellent. Why wouldn’t you show it off?” Cecilia narrowed her eyes.
Sarah tore her gaze away from the painting. “That’s my old painting, I have better pieces now, and I’m not someone who clings to the past. I believe in innovation.”
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