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.

and the

painting exuded a sense of desolation and solitude,

a

Ballaster dashed up the steps

of mockery, was now frozen in disbelief. She turned incredulously to see B. Aster

the Watercolor Painting community was built on a keen eye. But why was B.

Sanderson and Everard sat amidst the assembly, not with the

their circles, tarnishing

Delaney Group’s potential collaboration with the Miller family fell through at the

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

deal was dead in

denied any impact when

him, as Fanny’s painting neared an unsold fate, they jeered, “Mr. Delaney, this is quite embarrassing, isn’t it? Don’t tell me, this is another actor

in the back, watched the debacle unfold. Laurinda scoffed, “Such a disgrace! I told her not to auction off the painting, but she

name.”

the ladies to show off their own treasures. I bet Lorna didn’t have the heart to part with the jewelry

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. This was no

been living off Sanderson’s dime, hasn’t she?

expressions varied, Ballaster, had finished scrutinizing the painting. He stood tall and declared, “This piece is on

crowd below, “This has to

Mrs. Delaney’s work before, and suddenly this painting pops up

undeterred, asked directly, “So, what do

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

nonsense. 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

Aster

Chapter 139

of the Millers, a passionate art lover, was appalled by Lorna’s actions, which he saw as a mockery of Watercolor Painting. He called off the deal

deal was dead in

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

with the Millers seated behind him, as Fanny’s painting neared an unsold fate, they jeered, “Mr. Delaney, this is quite embarrassing, isn’t it?