A False Heiress's Guide to Love and Power

“My apologies to everyone for the unpleasant experience at the exhibition.”

All eyes turned toward the source of the voice. On the main stage, a large screen slowly descended. Eddie stood beside Dale Reeves, microphone in hand.

A staff member tapped away at a laptop, and in moments, Ivan’s painting was projected onto the screen.

“The purpose of hosting this exhibition,” Dale began, “is to give more children a platform to showcase their art. Their work is lively and imaginative, and it often surprises and inspires me.”

Eddie translated each sentence as Dale spoke. The two were old friends, and their teamwork was seamless.

“As many of you know, whenever I hold an exhibition in a new country, I organize a children’s art competition beforehand. Any child between the ages of three and twelve is welcome to enter. There are three rounds of selection, and in the final round, I alone make the decision. The winning piece is displayed at every one of my exhibitions, and all proceeds from the auction go to the winner.”

“I want the competition to be fair, just, and transparent. That’s why I make the final decision myself. A thousand people see a thousand Hamlets–everyone interprets art differently, and I respect that. What I cannot tolerate is anyone breaking the rules for the sake of victory–resorting to bribery, especially of my staff.”

to bristle with each word, his anger plain for

paintings and let everyone here vote. Good art resonates with people–it stirs the soul. In a moment, I’ll open up the voting

finished, murmurs rippled through the

this turn. Hamilton, gripping his cane, struggled to mask his anxiety. If Tammie’s painting didn’t take first place–if word of today’s

Damn it, if only there was a break, he

09:38

Chapter 333

mind, only for him to dismiss them all. On stage, Eddie

addition, regarding the bribery allegations, I will release a statement after a full investigation. If the accusations prove true, the staff involved will be dismissed, and

until his knuckles turned white. He forced himself to stay calm. They’d taken his money–they would never betray him. Besides, even if they confessed, it wouldn’t do them any good. Who would be

later. Looking for

rang out from the entrance. Alessia turned to look,