Side Chick Era... Over

Chapter 896

Over the past two days, when Johanna came to visit, Victoria had heard her mention the painting.

Of course, Johanna wasn’t foolish enough to tell her that Jamie had been reluctant to part with MK’s work. Instead, she had twisted the truth, saying that Jamie recognized the figure in the painting as Victoria and had wanted to keep it for himself as a private treasure.

In reality, Jamie hadn’t realized the figure in the portrait was Victoria at all. He had simply admired MK’s artistry and spent a fortune to acquire it.

Startled, Victoria shook her head at once.

“Jamie, this is far too precious. I can’t accept it. Besides, Johanna told me you were especially fond of this piece.”

Jamie’s voice, low and slightly husky, carried an almost imperceptible softness.

“A painting is lifeless. A person is not. I won’t deny I’m reluctant to part with it, but compared to you, it’s nothing. And besides…”

His gaze lingered on the delicate figure in the painting.

“The artist captured your silhouette so beautifully. Perhaps, in his heart, he admired you as

gift one’s art to the person they secretly cherish… wouldn’t that be the greatest

world?”

But MK

a suff

been so generous. In

Jamie sensed a hidden heaviness, m-an echo of his own struggles at the

first love.

MK’s paintings because they brought a rare flicker of interest to his otherwise rren life. He admired MK’s style, nothing more. Yes, he treated MK with more lenience than others, but

works were burned, he would not hesitate-if it meant

an unseen painter

Victoria shook

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Chapter V

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in anything. How could I take that from you? A gentleman does not rob another of what they

his eyes softened, focused entirely on

does it matter if I give up such interests for

opened her mouth to refuse again, but his

you don’t want it, then I’ll burn the painting. You know me–I don’t make

Victoria finally relented,

accept it… for