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.

was unmistakably Lorn’s work, and

eighteen years, Lorn’s art had evolved. The painting exuded a

a work go

from the crowd, Ballaster dashed up the steps

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

of Lorna’s paintings, of course. Her standing in the Watercolor Painting community was built on a keen eye. But why was B. Aster here?

not with the

rippled through their circles, tarnishing

collaboration with the Miller family fell through at

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

deal was dead in the

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

the Millers seated behind 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

the debacle unfold. Laurinda scoffed, “Such a disgrace! I told her not to auction

name.”

chuckled, “Well, Mom, they must be running low on funds. These charity galas are for the ladies to show off their own treasures. I bet Lorna didn’t have the

rang out with “Hold on a moment!” and he approached the stage, the Millers laughed anew, “Mr. Delaney,

sense of vindication wash over him. This was no sham, no act of

she’s broke and doesn’t know the first thing about making money. She’s been living off Sanderson’s

painting. He stood tall and declared,

praise was almost unheard of. Murmurs of skepticism started to ripple through the crowd below, “This has to be a publicity stunt, right? But even so, this is a bit much.”

heard of Mrs. Delaney’s work before,

directly, “So, what do

head, “This painting captures a desolation and despair that isn’t easily replicated. It’s not

into laughter at this, “You’re talking 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

Aster

Chapter 139

as a mockery of Watercolor Painting.

dead in the

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

now, with the Millers seated behind him, as Fanny’s painting neared an unsold fate, they jeered, “Mr.