Chapter 138

Winona bit her lip, her fingers gripping the frame tightly, turning white with tension. She forced herself to lift her head, her voice trembling slightly, with a hint of tears. “Mr. Paben, I don’t understand what you mean by asking this. Everyone knows the truth.

Why are you going out of your way to ask again? I know you’ve always had issues with my teacher, but you shouldn’t come here to stir trouble and embarrass him. You’re being too much.”

Winona’s tactic of redirecting blame worked perfectly. Upon hearing her words, Richard shot up from his seat, furious, and began to accuse Cole. “That’s enough, Mr. Paben! If you’ve got an issue, take it up with me. What kind of man takes it out on a student?”

Winona lowered her gaze, hiding the triumph in her eyes.

Cole’s brow furrowed slightly, displaying no concern for Richard’s anger. He maintained his unwavering gaze on Winona and spoke with conviction, “Allow me to inquire once more, are you absolutely certain that Cyanbird gave you this painting?”

Everyone turned to look at Winona on the round platform. Winona silently cursed Cole in her heart. She had encountered Cole before during her exams at the Art Association. All the judges had passed her, except for him, who gave her the lowest score, preventing her from passing level five. And now, out of nowhere, he was questioning her about this painting.

‘Could it be... that he’s really discovered something? No, that’s impossible. Back when I was in Mysonna, the underground seller assured me that no one would ever find out. Could it be that Mr. Paben is just trying to trick me? Yes... I need to stay calm...

Everything’s fine... It’ll be fine. By this time, she had no way out. “Yes, this painting was a gift from the master Cyanbird a few years ago when I was in Mysonna. He greatly admired my work and character and gifted it to me specially.”

Winona’s firm response made everyone present feel that Cole was being unreasonable. Even if he had conflicts with Richard, he shouldn’t be taking it out on a young girl. Many people began to speak up for Winona.

The first to speak was Robert. “Mr. Paben, you heard Winona’s answer, didn’t you? The whole of Seacrity knows that master Cyanbird gave this painting to her, and the private seal on the painting can’t be fake, right? Are you being so aggressive to bully the Carter and Chambers families? Winona is already engaged to Victor and will be my daughter-in-law of the Carter family, so we won’t let you slander her like this!” Robert’s words were a clear announcement of Winona and Victor’s engagement to everyone present.

Zachary frowned slightly. ‘Who Winona is engaged to no longer concerns me as her “father.”

Nellie, her eyes reddened, also stood up to reproach Cole. “Mr. Paben, Winona is still just a child. How can you question her like this in front of so many people? This is the Chambers family, not the Art Association, and you’re not one of our invited guests. I hope you leave immediately.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd below started to act as righteous defenders again.

“Mr. Paben, you’d better leave quickly. It’s not right to ruin their happy day like this.”

“Exactly, you’re not young anymore. What’s the point of bullying a young girl?”

“Leave... just leave, no one here wants you...”

In the corner, Yvette opened her eyes. She first glanced at Jeremiah, who was closest to her, then looked towards the noisy round platform in the distance.

Jeremiah immediately looked down at Yvette, his eyes dark and bright, his voice soft and unusually tender. “Did I wake you?”

Simon, Wyatt, and Sienna also turned to look at Yvette at the same time... Wyatt got goosebumps from Jeremiah’s voice. “That can’t be the iron-blooded Major General anymore, right? In front of Yvette, Jeremiah is like one of those so-called cute puppy types? A cute puppy? Oh my... I can’t even imagine. That’s too terrifying!”

Sienna from Argrol University casually sat down beside them. “Hey... Yve... you slept soundly, didn’t you? It’s been a lively scene up here. Some guy barged in just now, claiming to be the vice president of the Art Association, Cole. He’s questioning Winona about that painting. From what he said, it seems like there’s some issue with it.”

Yvette’s beautiful eyes were still slightly lazy, though there was a coldness deep within them. Her upturned eyelids carried a wildness as she stretched and lazily glanced at Cole, who was being surrounded by the crowd. Her voice had a bit of drowsy languor. “The painting is fake.”

Sienna exclaimed in shock, “The painting is fake?”

The power of that shout silenced the bustling garden once again. The crowd had been so focused on criticizing Cole that they had forgotten about the line of big shots seated there. What had Sienna just yelled? “The painting is fake?” “What’s going on?

Could it be that Sienna knows some inside information?’

Cole turned to look at Yvette’s side, his eyes suddenly shining brightly, and his hands trembling with excitement. However, everyone was too focused on the other side to notice Cole’s strange behavior.

Sienna realized her voice had been too loud. ‘But it’s not my fault! The boss made such a shocking statement! I could believe if someone else were making stuff up, but if the boss says the painting is fake, then it must be fake! If that’s true, then this is a big deal...

“Sienna, why did you say the painting is fake? Do you have any evidence? You can’t just make claims like that.”

“Yeah, I think you’re only accusing Winona because you’re close to Yvette. Did Yvette put you up to this? Don’t let yourself be used as someone’s pawn.”

*****

Egged on by these comments, the crowd turned their eyes to Yvette, now filled with suspicion. ‘Could Yvette really have prompted Sienna to step in and frame Winona?’

Winona stepped down from the platform, her expression showing she’d clearly suffered a major blow. Tears streamed down her face as she cried sorrowfully. “Why are you helping outsiders bully me? Why? Ever since you came back to the family, have I done anything to upset you? I’ve always made concessions for you and never dared to make you angry because you’re my half-

sister. I’ve always wanted to get along with you, but you’ve never given me a chance. Today is the most important day of my life, and you had Sienna speak up for you. You’re going too far!”

Winona’s words evoked deep sympathy from the crowd, especially from Victor, who rushed to her side, glaring at Yvette as though they had some deep-seated grudge.

Yvette, her legs crossed, rested her hands on the chair, tapping rhythmically with her left hand. Her gaze was calm and deep, with a mischievous smirk on her face, her features so stunning that people couldn’t look directly at her-both seductive and untamed.

Yvette’s demeanor left the crowd breathless. ‘She... she’s just too beautiful. Her breathtaking beauty captured everyone’s hearts, and even those who had just been accusing her were now left speechless.

Sitting beside her, Jeremiah casually handed Yvette a glass of orange juice he had poured. Yvette took it without hesitation, took a sip, and then, amidst the stunned gazes of everyone, finally spoke.