The gallery was narrow, high-ceilinged, and utterly chaotic. It wasn't one of the grand, hushed museums that typically courted the Conti name; it was a rough, vibrant space in a revitalized urban district. The air was thick with the scent of cheap wine, printer ink, and the electric energy of real artistic success. There was no velvet rope, no designated VIP section. There was only humanity, packed shoulder-to-shoulder, drawn in by the unflinching honesty of Clara’s work.I stood near the entrance, holding a glass of sparkling water, observing the scene like an anthropologist studying a rare, beautiful phenomenon. Alessandro and Amelia were nearby, both surprisingly relaxed. Amelia, the new CEO, was talking quietly with Isabelle, his hand resting on her shoulder, completely unconcerned that he was standing next to a discarded palette of paint. The corporate armor had fallen away from them both.But my eyes were fixed on Clara. She was in the center of the room, talking to a collector,
Last Updated : 2025-12-13 Read more