Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 132

Fanny’s face darkened. She had never imagined that a mere painting would prompt Naylor to invoke the name of B Aster, but she quickly regained her composure, saying, “Well then, if Mr. Aster is available But isn’t he in a meeting right now?”

The current exhibit was meant to celebrate the culture of the Superiority Country, so the Art Association was taking it very seriously, with endless meetings to discuss the details.

Navlor coughed and glanced at his watch, “About another half–hour, I reckon.”

Fanny hummed in response, then added with a pointed tone. “I’m curious, does Mr. Finegan know the artist of this painting?”

Her question made the underlying message clear to everyone present.

Someone spoke up. “Why would a nobody’s work be critiqued by a giant of Watercolor Painting? What’s the story behind this artist?”

Lorna’s face turned even paler. She looked to Cordelia, “Lia, I want to go home.”

Cordelia supported her, her eyes clouded with confusion and helplessness.

It seemed Lorna was hurt, but Cordelia, ever the awkward comforter, could only nod, her voice unexpectedly gentle, “Okay”

She helped Lorna to the exit.

Mrs. Brown tried to console her, “Mrs. Delaney, your painting is quite impressive; don’t take it to heart.”

Lorna mustered a weak smile and staggered out.

The car ride home was steeped in silence. Cordelia didn’t know how to break the quiet. She fiddled with her phone and sent a message. [Hey, are you free?]

Mr. All–Round replied, [What’s up?]

LearnLover said, [My mother’s painting was criticized today, and she’s feeling down. How do I comfort her?]

Mr. All–Round replied,I suggest you say nothing.)

Cordelia paused, then after a moment, a longer message arrived.

Mr. All–Round said,[Your mother always aims to maintain the image of a good mother in front of you. She wouldn’t want to show her vulnerability and frustration. Any comfort you offer might only add to her sense of shame.]

message, she recounted the incident to Sanderson.

replied, [I’m heading

arrived

As soon as they entered the living room, her phone

her sharp instincts, overheard the voice on the phone, “Lorna, someone

eyes lit up. “Who?”

“It’s a stranger. He asked for your work by name as soon as he walked in, but he… he…” There was a sigh, “He said, based on Fanny’s

commanded more, particularly for a bold landscape like Lorna’s,

a few hundred, not to mention the cost of framing.

bucks. It was an

struggle evident in her eyes.

phone, “Sorry, my

caller paused, then agreed,

up, Cordelia handed the

too much to hide, she stumbled into her room, bypassing

puzzled, “What

explained the events of the

eighteen years. But Fanny is clearly

or writing, the work is tied to the

=

in herself, what

upstairs, worried.

and Sanderson strode into the

the studio

word, Sanderson headed up, “I’ll check on her.”

out she chose right. Why am I telling you this? Go upstairs and do your homework, Lia. Don’t worry about your mom, she’ll

open, letting the breeze flutter the white curtains and rustle

desk.

elegant frame wrapped in a lilac dress, which only highlighted her growing frailty. She stared at the brushes and paper that had once been her life, haunted

confidence was shaken – it had indeed been eighteen years since she’d

of a renowned art exhibit and became engrossed. By the

how guilty she felt, she blamed herself entirely, which is why she put away