The few of them started to mock Sylvia. Right when their gossip reached the climax, Tara stopped them and said, “It’s been years since I contacted her, so maybe the misunderstanding still stands. Stop it, you guys.” “Tara, you’re too kind. If I were you, I would have flipped.” “Yeah, I would teach her a lesson.” Tara simply smiled it off. “I’m fine. Come on, let’s go in.” The exhibition attracted quite a number of tourists. Tara was still the bronze prize winner in the art competition, and the paintings that she brought would surely sell for a decent price. The others agreed and entered the venue with her. …Meanwhile, inside the exhibition hall, Sylvia and Christopher were strolling around the art pieces. Other than the winning artworks from the art competition, the winners of the respective artworks also brought their additional work out for display. Most of the artwork on display was not named, so it allowed everyone to enjoy and appreciate the artwork with an u
From other people’s perspectives, Tara left out of anger and embarrassment because of Sylvia’s comments. The exhibition hall went quiet for another few seconds. Christopher and company looked at Sylvia with both admiration and concern. Those who were invited to Westchester Art Association were all rather well-known artists, and they, too, shared the same thought as Sylvia. Tara’s work was nothing close to decent, but she was Odell’s woman, thus no one dared to voice their criticism of her work. However, Sylvia had blatantly called her work garbage in public. It was a suicidal act. Christopher signaled two of his men with a glance. “Go after her.” The two men went out to look for Tara. Christopher then said to Sylvia, “Sylvia, did something happen between you and Tara in the past?” Sylvia simply hummed a reply. The conflict between them started three years ago, and until now, the conflicts had only worsened. Christopher awkwardly touched his nose and said in a small
Slam! The reply that Tara got was Tom slamming the door close. She was left alone on the spot as the car drove away. Her fists clenched tightly and she said with a cold grin, “You… I bet it must suck for you.” A while later, the distress on her face faded. She kept replaying the scene where the influential figures of the art association had surrounded Sylvia and how the tourists had admired her. What fueled her anger was that the tourists ignored all her paintings just because of some comments from Sylvia. Those who simply got a recognition award from the competition even got a few of their works sold, and yet Tara, the bronze prize winner, did not even sell a single piece. It was the biggest insult she received since she stepped into the art world. She was deeply irritated. A while later, where her irritation faded a little, she called Odell. The moment the call got through, her eyes turned red. With a sobbing tone, she said in a grievance, “Odell, where are you? C
Sylvia’s expression changed and she thought of Tara right away. If she was correct, after she left the exhibition venue earlier, Tara must have called Odell and orchestrated this. No wonder Odell came home early today; it was to stop her. Sylvia smiled at him. “Yeah. The art association held an exhibition for the prize winners, and I went to look at paintings with the president. I also went to give some advice to other interested tourists.” Odell grunted at her curved eyes. “Is that so?” “Yeah.” “I heard almost all the prize winners' paintings were sold.” “They were.” Odell shot his blade-like gaze at her. “Then, why did Tara fail to sell any?” Sylvia looked up at him calmly and said, “I believe you will have to ask her why her paintings are so bad.” Odell tightened his narrow lips and continued his cold gaze at her. If his gaze was any sharper, it would have punctured two holes in Sylvia’s head. Sylvia awkwardly chuckled and waved the bag of snacks in her hand. “
Soon, Odell heard Isabel’s adorable voice welcoming her mother came from inside the living room. He tightened his lips and glanced at the bodyguard at the gate. The bodyguard explained, “Master, she was too fast just now. I didn’t even realize.” He also did not expect Sylvia to break free from Odell’s grip and charge inside like a chariot. Odell had one last glare at him before he strode into the living room. Inside the living room, Isabel and Liam clung to Sylvia tightly and were munching on the snacks she brought. Even Madam Carter also enjoyed the pastries that Sylvia had prepared. When Odell came in, the living room turned quiet. Isabel and Liam cautiously looked at him. Madam Carter said, “Odell, I told Sylvia to come earlier.” In other words, if he was unhappy with the decision, he could take it up to her instead of holding Sylvia responsible. Odell glanced at Sylvia before he sat down on the couch and started reading. Madam Carter sighed a breath of relief. I
“I’m reading.” A quick thought later, Odell continued with a question, “Have you eaten?” Sylvia said in a small voice, “Not yet.” “It’s already late. Why haven’t you eaten anything yet?” Tara was waiting for this. She protruded her lips and said, “I’m feeling unwell. I don’t have any appetite.” Odell’s voice grew heavy as he said, “I’ve already warned Sylvia to not pick on your again. Hurry and get something to eat. Don’t worry about it anymore.” Tara frowned. Just a warning? She eased her furrowed brows and said with a disheartened tone, “Okay, Odell. But I think Sylvia really hates me. She’s a famous artist now. Even the president of the Art Association tries to flatter her. I’m afraid that she might resort to some shady schemes secretly.” “She wouldn’t.” “But…” Odell stopped her. “If she picks on you again, I’ll make Sunflower Bloom disappear from the art world, forever.” Tara’s eyes shone. He still cared about her the most. However, her thoughts and her words
At Carter Tower, Odell was working in his office when the phone on the desk rang. He put the document down and answered it after a glance at the screen. “Grandmother, what’s the matter?” Madam Carter told him about Isabel’s movie shoot that would start tomorrow. She also said, “Isabel has always wanted to shoot a movie, and she really loves to act. Why don’t you let her go have a try? Syl will be with her all the time to take care of her.” Odell reacted rather coldly. A moment of silence later, he said, “I understand.” Madam Carter hung up the phone with a smile. Odell’s face remained frosty. ‘The woman doesn’t even want to talk to me and went straight to Grandmother instead? Does she think I won’t agree?’ He just did not want his children’s lives to be overly enlarged under the public’s eye, but he did not want to kill his children’s interest just because of his disinterest. As he mulled over it, his finger slid across his screen and dialed Sylvia’s number. Sylvia
As long as Sylvia could accompany Isabel to her shoot, she would be willing to tolerate any offense from Odell. She returned to the car with Tom’s help. Sylvia had already sorted out the information on the production crew before printing it out. As soon as she settled into the car, she took out her phone to send the file to Odell. In the message, she typed, “Here’s all the information on the production crew, do take a look when you can.” Odell replied, “Sure.” Sylvia tsked at Odell’s profile picture before keeping her phone away. … Night soon fell. At the Carters’ residence, Sylvia had already coaxed Liam and Isabel to sleep, but Odell still had not replied to her message. She thought that he had probably seen her message, and his lack of a reply meant that she was allowed to bring Isabel to the shoot. Sylvia gently kissed her children on the cheeks before she left for home to pack. The filming location was in the suburbs to the north of Westchester City. It was a