Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 196: Mysterious and Stunning
"Death of Destiny"?
In her memory, her mother never painted this piece.
Moreover, the name does not seem to fit her mother’s usual style.
Leah Hughes’ painting style mainly features a strong sense of heaviness, layered depth, and richly colored impressionist realist oil paintings.
Though she was somewhat puzzled by the name of the painting, she did not believe that a reputable art gallery would collect a counterfeit piece.
Besides, during her mother’s lifetime, the selling price of her paintings started in the six digits beginning with five.
After her mother’s passing, the value of each painting soared.
Therefore, this reparation...
Sienna Monroe could not refuse.
Moreover, she had no intention of exposing this matter.
Holding leverage in hand is more threatening and intimidating than throwing it away.
Not that she was planning to use Aura Art Gallery for anything, but at the very least, she would gain a "friend."
And another avenue.
Audrey and Teacher Indigo Quill arrived in Imperial City around four in the afternoon.
After they settled, Sienna invited them for a meal as Director Monroe of Serena Art Museum.
She sincerely invited Teacher Indigo Quill to be the keynote guest at tomorrow’s closing ceremony.
Just as Audrey said, her teacher had an eccentric temperament, neither cold nor warm to people, but fortunately devoid of airs.
Probably due to Audrey’s involvement, she easily agreed to it.
After raining all day, it cleared up on the day of the closing ceremony on the 6th.
Everything went smoothly.
Until the keynote figure Indigo Quill appeared, everyone present was filled with delightful surprise.
Even those from The National Arts Association were shocked.
Only the staff of Serena Art Museum and Audrey knew about this schedule.
Reporters and media rushed to conduct interviews, and when questions were veering toward her reasons for quitting the field, Sienna stepped forward to stop them.
The timing was perfectly managed.
Once the ceremony ended, everyone moved to the exhibition hall and banquet hall, and just like on the opening day, she saw Ivy.
But she was not surprised.
Last night Claire Grant messaged her on WeChat, expressing the desire to attend today’s closing ceremony, and Sienna agreed.
Most people were in the exhibition hall and banquet hall.
In the quadrangle courtyard, two walls were carved with vivid reliefs.
On the left, there was a set of fan-themed carvings featuring eight different styles, all crafted by Leah Hughes, Sienna’s mother.
Claire Grant was wearing a pale yellow silk cheongsam today, warm but not ostentatious, the fabric clinging closely to her curves.
It nicely complemented the two apricot trees on the right side of the courtyard.
Sienna’s gaze met hers in the air, elegantly walking into the courtyard, eventually stopping over a meter away from her.
She revealed a politely appropriate smile and softly said, "Miss Ivy, you are late, the closing ceremony is already over."
Claire also smiled slightly, "Well, congratulations, Director Monroe, the exhibition that stirred the entire art world has concluded successfully."
Sienna humbly nodded, "Thank you."
"However... Director Monroe, you have amazed me once again." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
Sienna paused.
Surprised?
This word...
Was somewhat peculiar.
She felt there was an underlying meaning in this statement.
Unfortunately, she could not grasp its implication at that moment.
She asked calmly, "Hmm? Surprised? What does Ivy mean?"
"Yesterday’s online plagiarism incident," Claire replied with a smile, "Director Monroe reacted quickly; what surprised me even more was that Teacher Audrey turned out to be Master Indigo Quill’s last disciple."
So?
What is the focal point of this statement?
Was it just because she handled it quickly, and the relationship between Audrey and Indigo Quill, that made her feel amazed?
Is it just that?
She wondered if she was being overly sensitive.
Every time she conversed with Claire Grant, she pondered over the meaning of each word repeatedly.
She chuckled, deliberately tossing the question back to Claire, "Were it not for the swift reaction, today’s closing ceremony would not have gone so smoothly; Serena Art Museum would have become the center of public criticism.
If that were the case, would Miss Ivy still collaborate with our art museum?"
"Yes."
Claire’s voice was light yet assured, "Rumors and gossip don’t bother me; what I value is Serena Art Museum’s capability and Director Monroe’s approach to matters.
I admire you; I wish to use this exhibition as a stepping stone to befriend Director Monroe, what does Director Monroe think?"
To be honest, she quite liked Claire Grant’s personality.
Had it not been for the prompt message, without Sebastian Prescott between them, perhaps they could genuinely become friends.
Now, was she probing?
Sienna wasn’t sure but didn’t care much either.
After all, when it came to acting, she could now be considered adept.
Speaking of which, she had to thank June Ewing and Caleb Sinclair for honing this skill.
Those four months of drama weren’t in vain.
She smiled, deftly shifting the conversation, "Miss Ivy is being too formal; we’ve known each other for a while now, I believe... we should consider ourselves friends already.
Of course, doesn’t Miss Ivy think so?"
