Love or Die CEO’s Daily Dose of Swoon

Chapter 139

Ballaster wasn’t looking to make a scene, he was there on a mission. So he tucked himself away in the back corner, the last row where no one knew his face.

The auction items up till now had been a snore–fest. He and Naylor, both art aficionados, exchanged frowns. This kind of gathering was beneath them.

He was itching to leave, but he couldn’t–not until he’d seen the painting.

Finally, the painting from Mrs. Delaney appeared. But Ballaster was too far back to see it clearly. He caught at blurry glimpse and didn’t think much of it.

The chatter of the crowd was grating on his nerves.

Fanny, for all her lack of prowess in landscape painting, could still critique a piece with some level of expertise. And Cordelia’s mother, seemed out of her league. Cordelia used Lorn’s name to lure him here, just to boost her mom’s confidence?

Despite his fear of the group’s ringleader, he had his pride as a man of letters.

Ballaster whipped out his smartphone, unable to resist venting in the “Who’s exactly the girl” chat group.

1. Aster said, [I’m at a loss for words. Cordelia is out of her depth, it seems.]

After his brief rant, he set the phone aside.

Naylor, on the other hand, snapped a high–resolution photo of the painting and handed the phone to Ballaster. “Dad, take a look at this.”

Ballaster took the phone with a furrowed brow and was stunned. The style… was it not strikingly similar to Lorn’s?

He adjusted his glasses and gave the photo a closer look,

The digital image was a tad distorted, so he stood up and made his way to the front. It wasn’t long before he found himself in the first row with a clear view. And there it was–the painting in all its glory!

Just as the auctioneer was about to declare the painting unsold, Ballaster cut in, “Hold on a moment!”

The auctioneer paused, looking bewildered, as Mrs. Collins shot a knowing glance to silence him.

And now, Ballaster could truly appreciate the artwork up close.

work, and the

eighteen years, Lorn’s art had evolved. The painting exuded a sense of desolation and

such a work go

just a view from the crowd, Ballaster dashed up the steps

disbelief. She turned incredulously to see B.

in the Watercolor Painting community was built on a keen eye. But why was B. Aster here? What

not with the ladies but with the

scandal had rippled through their

collaboration with the Miller family fell through at the

a passionate art lover, was appalled by Lorna’s actions, which he saw as a mockery of Watercolor Painting. He called off the deal with Sanderson, sneering, “A man whose wife is vain and fraudulent casts doubt on

was dead in

and livid, swallowed his anger. He denied any impact when Lorna asked, not wishing to burden her with

an unsold fate, they jeered, “Mr. Delaney, this is quite embarrassing, isn’t it? Don’t tell me, this is another

Rachel, seated in the back, watched the debacle unfold. Laurinda scoffed, “Such a disgrace! I told her not to auction off the painting, but she didn’t listen. Now look! Lorna

name.”

running low on funds. These charity galas are for the ladies to show off their own treasures. I bet Lorna didn’t have the heart to

“Hold on a moment!” and he approached the stage, the Millers

of the whispers and the sneers, Ballaster, standing before Lorna’s painting, felt a sense of vindication wash over him.

know the first thing about making money. She’s been living off Sanderson’s dime, hasn’t she? But what’s this now?

painting. He stood tall and declared,

the crowd below, “This has to be a publicity

never even heard of Mrs. Delaney’s work before, and suddenly

do you reckon this painting is worth?”

that isn’t easily replicated. It’s not something

Let me tell you, I know my daughter–in–law, and if her painting fetches a hundred bucks, that’d be a miracle! Where did you come from, spouting such nonsense?” As the crowd’s confusion deepened, Mrs. Collins hastily introduced

Aster

Chapter 139

Lorna’s actions, which he saw as a mockery of Watercolor Painting. He called off the deal with Sanderson, sneering, “A man

deal was dead in the water.

mocked and livid, swallowed his anger. He denied any impact when Lorna asked, not wishing to

painting neared an unsold fate, they jeered, “Mr. Delaney, this is