Bartlett took a moment to sip his tea, fell into silence for a while, then turned to Ellinor again, âWhy do you want to be an artistâs assistant, Mrs. Blanchet? Isnât Theo giving you enough dough to spend?â
Ellinor was leisurely playing a mobile game and answered without looking up. âItâs my cup of tea, nothing to do with moneyâ
Bartlett looked at her with a hint of seriousness. âEllinor, Iâm just concerned, thatâs why Iâm asking. If youâre in some kind of trouble, you can spill the beans to me, I might be able to lend a handâ
Help her?
Bartlett seemed to have a knack for using âI can help you out as an icebreaker when chatting with her.
Ellinor slightly raised her eyebrows with a mischievous glint in her eyes. She quit her game, put down her phone, and looked at Bartlett seriously, batting her eyelashes. âIf I really have a problem, would you really help me out? You canât just be all talk and no action!â
Bartlett couldnât help but chuckle, âOf course, as long as itâs within my power.â
âYoud better be able to!â
âSo, whatâs up?â
Ellinor gave a small smile. Well, she wouldnât be shy then.
âDo you remember the three paintings by Lady Lotus I saw in your gallery last time? Can you sell those three to me?â
The smile on Bartlettâs face froze, he just wanted to stir her up to get the truth but ended up being cornered by her instead.
Bartlett chuckled, âLetâs not even talk about if Iâm willing to sell. Do you, an artistâs assistant, have the dough to buy my three paintings?â
Ellinor looked at him steadfastly. âAs long as youâre willing to sell, I can find the money!â
Bartlett raised an eyebrow, âWhere are you gonna get the money? From your hubby? Are you sure heâd give it to you? If heâs willing to give you money, why would he let you work as an assistant?â
Ellinor could tell that Bartlett was questioning her relationship with Mr. Blanchet. This guy was just too nosy!
Ellinor said, âYou donât need to worry about where my money comes from; you just need to tell me if you want to sell the paintingâ
Bartlett replied, âIâm not selling.â
Ellinor was clearly disappointed to hear Bartlettâs straightforward answer. Those three paintings were her motherâs works when she was young, and she really wanted to buy them for her own collection. If he insisted on not selling, there was nothing she could do. She couldnât just snatch them away.
âBut I can give them to you for free.â
Bartlett added this suddenly in a relaxed tone.
Ellinorâs eyes lit up, but she immediately put on a guarded look, âSpit it out, whatâs the catch?â
Bartlett had a spark of admiration in his eyes; he couldnât help laughing Ellinor looked innocent like a kitten, but in fact, she was quite sharp and not someone who could be easily fooled.
Bartlett swirled the tea in his cup and said with a smile, âVery simple, all you need to do is have a drink with me, and Iâll give you the paintings, deal or no deal?â
Even though this man had such a gentle smile, he enjoyed stirring things up!
Ellinor frowned, âNot now, some other time.â
Bartlett smiled, he already knew the answer, but he still asked, âWhy not now? Is it because your husband is here?â
Yes. Because Theo is here! Even though she and Theo werenât really husband and wife, Theo was very particular about her behavior, he didnât allow her to do anything that might make him feel betrayed in the next three months.