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Chapter 6

Author: Lotus
The soft lights of Cloudistic Odyssey Gallery bathed every painting in a warm glow.

All these years, I had never stopped painting and continued to submit my work to Vega Design. It was only after Mom's death and my receiving a full-time job offer that I learned Levi Archer was the man behind Vega Design.

He called me his muse. Back in college, he hid the fact that he was the heir to a financial empire just so he could be an assistant in my studio. We spent nights debating art theories and studying the trickiest brushstrokes.

"Congratulations, Scarlett. You did it." Levi handed me a glass of champagne and smiled warmly.

I took the glass over and clinked it lightly against his before looking up at my painting, a massive oil canvas named "Unbound".

On the canvas, a phoenix tore free from iron shackles as its wings of flame cut through the darkness and soared toward freedom.

"Ms. Emberlyn's work is extraordinary, Mr. Archer," a renowned critic murmured with genuine awe.

With a gent
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  • Mistress #100 Was the Last Straw   Chapter 9

    Levi frowned and stepped forward, but I raised my hand to stop him."Jaxon, what could you possibly have to offer and make me come back?" I asked in a cold, detached voice, as if discussing the weather.A flicker of hope ignited in Jaxon's dull eyes. "I—""With Wilde Group's 40 billion dollars in IOUs?" I cut him off with a cold smile.The last traces of color drained from his face as he swayed on his feet. He could barely stand still.I stepped closer, looking through his facade. "Or maybe with your arrogance and stupidity all these years? Did you really think that my mom drugged your drink that night just so I could climb up the social ladder?""Wasn't it—" he tried to argue.My voice pitched higher with a decade of suppressed fury as I snapped, "Of course it wasn't! It was from the Wildes—your self-righteous dad and calculating mom!"They needed an obedient daughter-in-law they could control, and they didn't like that Aveline was too strong-willed. But for me, I was the perf

  • Mistress #100 Was the Last Straw   Chapter 8

    A few days later, a charity auction gala jointly hosted by Archer Group and Cloudistic Odyssey Gallery was held at the top floor of Aero Suites.Levi opened the car door for me. I wore a midnight-blue gown he'd chosen, adorned with tiny crystals scattered across the hem like starlight. His ink-blue suit matched mine perfectly.When we entered the ballroom side by side, all eyes turned our way, and camera flashes rained on us."Mr. Archer and Ms. Emberlyn really are a perfect match!""It's impossible to get one of Ms. Emberlyn's paintings now!""I heard Mr. Archer Senior is pleased with this future granddaughter-in-law…"Levi handled the attention with effortless composure and kept me close, shielding me from the prying eyes. As we walked up the stairs, he bent gracefully to lift the hem of my dress and leaned close to whisper in my ear, "Remember that time in college when you knocked over the paint jars?"I smiled. "You still remember that?"He gripped my hand tightly and con

  • Mistress #100 Was the Last Straw   Chapter 7

    Jaxon never gave up, yet his so-called "redemption" seemed more like a farcical nuisance.At first, he delivered flowers to the gallery daily, until bouquets of roses piled up at the reception desk. The cards were filled with his bold signature and lines of belated remorse."I'm sorry, Scarlett. Give me a chance.""I fixed your wedding gown. Would you like to come back and check it out?""My stomach hurts. I can barely hold on without the medicine you used to get me."I didn't even bother opening the cards and had the cleaning lady take care of them for me.Later, he bombarded me with calls from unfamiliar numbers. Whenever I picked up, I'd hear his strained, anxious voice through the line. "Scarlett, let's just talk…"I hung up and blocked the number in one clean motion.When that failed, he resorted to waiting outside the gallery.With his luxury sports car parked by the road, he leaned against the door, holding a delicately wrapped box in his hands. He looked utterly haggar

  • Mistress #100 Was the Last Straw   Chapter 6

    The soft lights of Cloudistic Odyssey Gallery bathed every painting in a warm glow.All these years, I had never stopped painting and continued to submit my work to Vega Design. It was only after Mom's death and my receiving a full-time job offer that I learned Levi Archer was the man behind Vega Design. He called me his muse. Back in college, he hid the fact that he was the heir to a financial empire just so he could be an assistant in my studio. We spent nights debating art theories and studying the trickiest brushstrokes."Congratulations, Scarlett. You did it." Levi handed me a glass of champagne and smiled warmly.I took the glass over and clinked it lightly against his before looking up at my painting, a massive oil canvas named "Unbound".On the canvas, a phoenix tore free from iron shackles as its wings of flame cut through the darkness and soared toward freedom."Ms. Emberlyn's work is extraordinary, Mr. Archer," a renowned critic murmured with genuine awe.With a gent

  • Mistress #100 Was the Last Straw   Chapter 5

    "Pregnant?" The word drilled into Jaxon's skull like a stab of pain in his stomach, echoing in his mind.Elowen's eyes brimmed with tears that could barely hide her pride. "Yes, Mr. Wilde. Aren't you happy that we're having a baby?"His gaze turned cold as he ordered, "Get rid of it.""W-What?" Elowen's smile froze."I said, get rid of it. I don't want a child, especially not yours," Jaxon spat each word through gritted teeth."B-But I've disclosed the news! The press knows, and the Wildes will too!" Panic rose in Elowen's voice.Jaxon shot up and seized her wrist in a bruising grip. "You set me up, aren't you?"Elowen's face drained of color, but she still held her ground. "You might not want this baby, but the Wilde family will. This isn't just your decision anymore."Before either of them could say a word, the sound of screeching brakes came from outside the villa.Jaxon's parents stormed in with thunderous expressions. "How dare you hide something like this from the family

  • Mistress #100 Was the Last Straw   Chapter 4

    Jaxon's eyes stayed locked on the death notice."Time of death: October 10th, 2025. 4:23 am."His fingers clenched around the paper, but his hands wouldn't stop shaking."Dead? Is she really dead?" His voice cracked and carried a tremor even he didn't notice.Winston lowered his head and replied in a heavy tone, "Yes, Mr. Wilde. The hospital confirmed that Mrs. Emberlyn didn't pass in peace."Jaxon's mind flashed with my empty and numb gaze from yesterday. There was no desperation, and it was like I'd finally dropped the weight I'd carried for so long.A dull, slow ache trampled across his chest.But the next second, Mom's cunning smile, his own feverish body when he woke up, as well as the stunned and frightened look on my face beneath him that night flashed across his mind. The memory and humiliation of being "drugged" pounded on his mind like a reminder.He crushed the notice and threw it fiercely onto the floor.His voice pitched sharp and loud as if the volume could drown

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