The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Chapter 612

The painting, titled "Midnight," was the only one among all his works to feature a human figure.

No one knew if the subject in this piece held some secret significance for

Summer. Or perhaps, the woman in the painting was the artist's first love-a love lost and never found?

On stage, the auctioneer spun wild tales about the inspiration behind the artwork, speculating freely about Summer's creative process.

Seated in the audience, Abby couldn't help but chuckle. "These people really do have a knack for making up stories. Now it's about a secret first love? If they ever quit their day jobs, they'd make a killing in screenwriting."

Neville grinned. "A little drama helps drive up the price. That's how you get a bidding war."

Abby shook her head. "They don't even know if the artist is a man or a woman, and they're already inventing tragic romances. I can't."

Meanwhile, Joshua, who'd been quietly studying the painting, suddenly spoke up. "Is it possible that the woman in the painting... is Ms. Cameron herself?"

Abby turned, looking at him with a glimmer of admiration. "Joshua, sharp eyes! How did you figure that out?"

"I've seen Ms. Cameron play the violin from behind so many times. The way

back to the viewer beneath the midnight sky. She was alone in the garden, bathed in moonlight so pale it seemed to dust her hair and shoulders in silver, casting a faint glow across the

distance. A gentle breeze lifted her long hair and tugged at the hem of her dress, setting both adrift in the night

Even without seeing her face, the

the painting closely. "Is

Stella since childhood-exchanged a knowing look.

known Stella long, so it was no wonder she hadn't made the

at him in surprise. How had

nodded. "Yes,

began to explain. "Star was practicing violin in the backyard one evening, and I snapped a photo of her. She loved how it turned out, so she used it as the inspiration for

the auctioneer finally wrapped up his dramatic monologue and announced the

dollars. Each raise must be

left his mouth before

"Six million!"

"Eight million!"