Even after Her Death by Rita Bond

Chapter 172 Stunning the Audience

Anna recoiled from me in fear, her expression filled with dread, as if I were a ghost haunting her.

A single sentence from me sent her spiraling into nervus therights, leaving her visibly uneasy.

After a moment, she managed to find her voice and stammered, "M. Gardner, what kind of prank is this? Why would I quit the competition?"

She purposely spoke louder, her tone calculated to draw the crowd's attention, and in an instant, all eyes turned my way.

It felt like I was being accused of using underhanded tactics to make her drop out of the competition.

Anna's supporters began hurling insults at me, their loud jeers throwing the scene into chaos.

The host and security guards worked to calm the crowd, while Anna shot me a mocking glance as if to say she was of of my league.

This was her usual strategy, stirring up emotions to turn them into a weapon against me.

Een Kate in the audience remarked, "Look at her, no skill of her own, so she resorts to shady tricks to get ahead. How could someone like that be truly talented? Meanwhile, Fiona casually admired her freshly manicured nails. She had little affection for Anna, caring only about whether Anna could deliver the benefits she sought.

"I believe in Anna. I've already prepared all the promotional materials for her."

"Relax, my daughter is amazing. Just look at all these fans here to support her."

The crowd was buzzing with anticipation, eagerly awaiting the show. Little did they know, this time, victory was already in my hands,

Anna's skills are far beneath mine, leaving her with only one strategy to succeed.

There's no hiding average artwork under the spotlight. Her only option is to endlessly replicate my pieces. before the competition, hoping to match them stroke for stroke.

She must have studied my artwork thoroughly in secret, which explains her boldness in stepping onto the

stage

As the competition drew near, I stopped to tie my shoelaces while passing her.

Rising to my feet. I leaned close to her ear and murmured like a shadow, "Anna, Chloe has her eyes on you?

Startled, Anna, who had been cleaning her brushes, froze and accidentally tipped over her water bucket. Her wide-eyed disbelief followed me, but I didn't spare her a glance as I walked away without hesitation.

Just take a moment to reflect. After all, your guilty conscience is your own doing.

I sat before my drawing board, absentmindedly spinning a pen between my fingers, imagining

the

e turmoil

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172 Stunning the

Anna must be enduring.

her brain, wondering if I've uncovered her secret and debating whether to use

artwork.

use my paintings and the truth comes out that Chloe created them, her reputation will be

The dead remain silent!

that's her thoughts now. I believe she'll

who she is now. Everything is unfolding exactly

now, I can't waste my energy on Anna. This competition is about reclaiming my

contest is unusual because there's no specific theme, allowing each artist to showcase their

does this compare

the organizers hope to inspire the artists to produce more captivating pieces for

auction.

the past. A new scene

across the paper, with the camera occasionally focusing

work that

camera frequently zoomed in on me, almost as if the director was addressing the audience's curiosity. about whether I

saw was my rough style, and many began to

kind of rubbish is this? Even my grandma could do a better

the painting for her. Her true nature is clear as soon as

it. Her style is worse than just throwing paint on the canvas. Look

scoffed, "Shut up. If you're so

and remarked,

a smile, "If Ms. Gardner's painting skills were even half as good as her words, that would be something. How could she ever compete

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172 Stunning the

up and applauded,

like a mess before, but now

to sketch first. This is clearly the

like playing an improvised song and turning it into a

added, more people stood up, their eyes glued to the

the competition is titled "New Life," while this

and death, light and darkness,

lilies descend into hell-dark, decaying, slowly

lilies seem to mirror

on the other side, vibrant colors emerge. Some interpret it as a hand reaching out to pull the black water lilies, while