Masked In Nobility: Secrets Of Mrs. Chavez by Selina Gorges

Winona bit her lip, her fingers gripping the frame tightly, turning white with tension. She forced herself to lift her head, her voice trembling slightly, with a hint of tears. “Mr. Paben, I don’t understand what you mean by asking this. Everyone knows the truth. Why are you going out of your way to ask again? I know you’ve always had issues with my teacher, but you shouldn’t come here to stir trouble and embarrass him. You’re being too much.”

Winona’s tactic of redirecting blame worked perfectly. Upon hearing her words, Richard shot up from his seat, furious, and began to accuse Cole. “That’s enough, Mr. Paben! If you’ve got an issue, take it up with me. What kind of man takes it out on a student?”

Winona lowered her gaze, hiding the triumph in her eyes.

Cole’s brow furrowed slightly, displaying no concern for Richard’s anger. He maintained his unwavering gaze on Winona and spoke with conviction, “Allow me to inquire once more, are you absolutely certain that Cyanbird gave you this painting?”

Everyone turned to look at Winona on the round platform. Winona silently cursed Cole in her heart. She had encountered Cole before during her exams at the Art Association. All the judges had passed her, except for him, who gave her the lowest score, preventing her from passing level five. And now, out of nowhere, he was questioning her about this painting.

‘Could it be… that he’s really discovered something? No, that’s impossible. Back when I was in Mysonna, the underground seller assured me that no one would ever find out. Could it be that Mr. Paben is just trying to trick me? Yes… I need to stay calm… Everything’s fine… It’ll be fine. By this time, she had no way out. “Yes, this painting was a gift from the master Cyanbird a few years ago when I was in Mysonna. He greatly admired my work and character and gifted it to me specially.”

Winona’s firm response made everyone present feel that Cole was being unreasonable. Even if he had conflicts with Richard, he shouldn’t be taking it out on a young girl. Many people began to speak up for Winona.

The first to speak was Robert. “Mr. Paben, you heard Winona’s answer, didn’t you? The whole of Seacrity knows that master Cyanbird gave this painting to her, and the private seal on the painting can’t be fake, right? Are you being so aggressive to bully the Carter and Chambers families? Winona is already engaged to Victor and will be my daughter-in-law of the Carter family, so we won’t let you slander her like this!” Robert’s words were a clear announcement of Winona and Victor’s engagement to everyone present.

Zachary frowned slightly. ‘Who Winona is engaged to no longer concerns me as her “father.”

Cole. “Mr. Paben, Winona is still just a child. How can you question her like this in front of so many

started to act as

Paben, you’d better leave quickly. It’s not

not young anymore. What’s the point of

just leave, no one here wants

at Jeremiah, who was closest to her, then looked towards the noisy round platform

eyes dark and bright, his voice soft and unusually tender.

voice. “That can’t be the iron-blooded Major General anymore, right? In front of Yvette, Jeremiah is like one of

barged in just now, claiming to be the vice president of the Art Association, Cole. He’s questioning Winona about

she stretched and lazily glanced at Cole, who was being surrounded by the crowd. Her voice had a bit of drowsy languor.

exclaimed in shock,

Cole that they had forgotten about the line of big shots seated there. What had Sienna just yelled? “The painting is fake?” “What’s

trembling with excitement. However, everyone was too focused on the other side to notice Cole’s strange

shocking statement! I could believe if someone else were making stuff up, but if the boss says the painting is fake, then it

why did you say the painting is fake? Do you have any evidence? You can’t just

you’re only accusing Winona because you’re close to Yvette. Did Yvette put you up to