Chapter 133

  1. Anter Ballaster hadn’t left the art gallery just yet.

Fresh from a meeting, he turned into the gallery space instead of heading out. The painting “Frostfall” was supposed to be tucked away in a quiet corner, an area reserved for the unnoticed works of emerging artists. Approaching the scene, he was met with chaos. His brow furrowed in confusion as he asked, “What’s going on here?

A staff member quickly explained, “A visitor got clumsy with their ice cream, and one of the paintings got. splattered.”

Space was at a premium in the gallery, with several modestly priced newcomers‘ pieces on display in this small section.

Ballaster’s expression darkened. “How could such a basic mistake happen? And since when is eating allowed in here?”

The staffer looked as if they were at a funeral, continuing, “Chairwoman Fanny was livid. She’s already fired the person responsible. It’s a good thing these pieces aren’t valuable, or we’d be in real trouble!”

Ballaster was concerned. If “Frostfall” was ruined, how would he check it out for Cordelia?

“We’re preparing to call the artists individually, ask them to bring new pieces as an apology.”

He nodded; that was the only course of action left.

He’d have to wait for “Frostfall’s artist to deliver another piece before he could take a look.

Fanny, not too far away, curled her lips into a smirk. Greenmeadow was her turf, and meddling came easy to her. She hadn’t expected Ballaster to actually come see the art. Had Naylor really tipped him off? Luckily, she had been meticulous enough to sabotage the painting in advance.

That night, Lorna didn’t come down for dinner. While Cordelia was worried, even Mathilda insisted she shouldn’t interfere, so she returned to her room to read.

The next morning, Cordelia packed her bag and was about to take a pill from the bottle Louie had given her when she paused, recalling Everard’s pained expression from the day before.

She hesitated, then decided against taking the medication, capping the bottle and slipping it back into her bag before heading downstairs.

Lorna seemed a bit better but still downcast. As Cordelia left with her breakfast in hand, Lorna finally spoke up, “The picture you wanted framed will be ready by this afternoon. It’ll be up in your room by the time you’re

back.”

eyes lit up. “Great.”

sat behind the counter

favorite jumpsuit, spoke respectfully, “Boss, that Louie you asked about has been squeaky clean these past years, nothing out of the ordinary…”

to respond when footsteps approached, and Cordelia walked in wearing her school uniform. She seemed surprised to find Skyler there and glanced at him before turning to Everard

officer here must mean that Everard was in hot water, right?

boss and quickly improvised, “Oh, I’m

he was! After making his claim, he turned to Everard

then

back, expressionless as

Skyler realized there was no such license at Everard’s place. Bluffing, he stammered, “Ah, since the license is in order, I’ll be on

as the

breakfast and holding hands with Everard for a while,

the door, something came to mind, and she looked back, “Are you feeling any better

the previous day’s events, blinked in confusion before remembering his act, lowering his eyes in feigned sorrow, “I’m fine, don’t worry

as she admitted, “I didn’t take my medication today.”

walked away,

Cordelia trying to cheer

simple sentence from her, yet why did he

was distraught. Her live stream had been banned and slapped with an incriminating statement, leaving

customer service’s official response was, “Please wait, we’ll verify your content and get back to you,” but then

turned to her social media followers, who loyally sought

the platform online, only to receive a legal notice from

your post and apologize, or we will pursue

“I’ve done nothing wrong.

“Then prove you’re

was exasperated, her voice rising, ‘Can’t you

they shot back, “That’s not our problem. If

it! Prove your

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