Semua Bab Opening My Eyes to Reality: Bab 41 - Bab 50

Sienna knew she couldn't say any of this in front of Daphne. She took a deep breath, weighed her options, and decided she'd visit the Steiner residence later to ask Xavier for help.Just as Sienna was heading out the door, her phone rang. Irritated, she answered sharply, "Who is this?"On the other end, Seth Frey replied politely, "Ms. Spencer? This is Seth Frey from Boylen Gallery. I heard you were looking for a venue for an art exhibition."Sienna's eyes sparkled. Seth was a big deal. He was the owner of Boylen Gallery, one of the largest art galleries in Grendale. Usually, only established artists got to exhibit there.But thanks to Natalie, Sienna's reputation was in ruins. These days, even small galleries wouldn't give her the time of day, let alone a major one. That was why she hadn't even considered reaching out to Boylen Gallery in the first place.Her heart swelled with quiet delight, excitement bubbling just beneath the surface. "You're right. I'm looking for an exhibiti

Natalie and Shane bickered the entire elevator ride up. The moment they stepped out, he hooked her hand over his arm.Natalie looked down at it. "Do we really have to do this?"Shane put on a solemn expression. "Commit to the role. My mom's basically a human lie detector."Seizing the chance to mess with him, Natalie quipped, "Really? I don't see it. You clearly didn't get her good genes. Maybe I should convince her to start over with a new kid."It took Shane a second to catch the dig. His eyes darkened. "Oh, you're dead, Nat. This isn't over."Still bickering, they slipped into the private room, unaware of the man watching from 30 feet away, his gaze locked on their retreating figures.As Rowan's expression darkened, Landon broke out in a cold sweat. "Mr. Mattel, the man with Ms. Spencer is Shane Grove—her senior apprentice."Rowan stayed silent, but a dangerous glint flashed in his stormy eyes.After years at Rowan's side, Landon could read him like an open book. Without mis

Beneath Rowan's stern exterior, a hint of tenderness flickered. He quickened his steps and called, "Ms. Sutton."Natalie looked up to find Rowan beside her.Had he been following her? And if so, did that mean he'd gone into the private room earlier for her sake?She didn't want to judge him too harshly, but so far, nothing about him had given her great impressions.Natalie's eyes narrowed. "You've been looking into me?"Rowan's tone was indifferent. "Mrs. Grove told me your name."As if that meant he hadn't dug deeper. But Natalie wasn't some naive fool.Did he really think she'd buy that? Of course, he already had her number and maybe even knew which hotel she was staying at.Natalie needed to make herself clear. "Mr. Mattel, what you said last time still stands, so there's no need to keep showing up just to warn me."Rowan simply gave a noncommittal hum in reply.That was it? Nothing more?His reaction left Natalie confused. But staying away from a dangerous man like him w

Natalie watched as bulldozers and excavators rolled in—five or six in total. Her eyes widened in disbelief, but it wasn't until the excavator's arm slammed into the building that the truth sank in.She whirled around to face Rowan, who stood slightly behind her.His hands were tucked casually in his pockets, his posture tall and steady, unshaken as a stone pillar. His face betrayed nothing. Natalie had never met anyone so hard to read."Do you have a grudge against Jason?" she asked.Rowan's expression remained blank, his gaze fixed on the soon-to-be ruins. "You could say that."Natalie tilted her head, her voice sharp with frustration. "It's a yes or no question. Don't give me some vague answer."Rowan suddenly turned to look at her, and for a split second, Natalie thought she caught a flicker of something fierce in his eyes."Jason hurt someone I care about. That makes him my enemy, too," he said.Natalie, flustered, dropped her gaze as she turned his words over in her mind.

The reporters continued pressing Natalie with questions."Three years ago, you took the art world by storm with one painting, then vanished without a trace. Now, you've suddenly reappeared. What kept you away all this time?"Natalie was radiant, her bright eyes and dazzling smile impossible to ignore.Truth be told, her beauty had always been striking—almost too striking—but three years of playing the dutiful wife had softened its sharpness.Hypnotic and deliberate, her gaze drifted lazily toward Sienna, who stood nearby.A faint smile curled beneath Natalie's veil. She said softly, "To be honest, I'm not particularly close with Ms. Spencer. But three months ago, Mr. Rockwell refused to take her on as his last apprentice."Since I happened to be back in Dexia on business, I thought I'd visit her art exhibition to help her see where she falls short. Learning never ends, after all. Maybe she'll be lucky enough to call me her senior in another life."Anyone could tell from Amanda's