10.2903
Chapter21
Linda was at a loss for words. The more she said, the worse it got.
Dora tilted her head slightly, a lazy smile playing on her lips. “My little brother put a lot of heart into that painting. He made it just for me. Compared to all your so–called abstract art done last minute, I’d say this is more meaningful.”
The moment she said that, everyone around her groaned, mock–offended.
“Byron, say something! She’s slandering our masterpieces!” Derrick called out dramatically.
Byron shrugged, hands casually in his pockets as he leaned against Dora’s desk. “She calls the shots. I don’t tell her what to do–I take orders from
her.”
Dora lowered her gaze and let out a quiet laugh, her fingertips idly playing with the beads on his wrist.
Seeing everyone ignore her, Linda stubbornly stepped forward, unwilling to let it go. She turned to Byron and said, “Hey, you’re not from this
school, are you? I get that you’re working part–time to earn some money, but sneaking into school grounds just for a delivery fee–that’s a bit much, isn’t it?”
Byron narrowed his eyes slightly, puzzled. He already knew Linda wasn’t the sharpest, but he hadn’t expected her to be this clueless.
The whole class burst into laughter. Someone had just called Byron a delivery guy–hands down the most ridiculous thing anyone had heard all
year.
Effie was laughing so hard she could barely stay upright. She slapped
10:29)
Chapter21
29 Mers
Byron on the shoulder and joked, “A delivery guy like you, Byron–how do you expect to compete with me for Dora?”
Byron let out a low laugh and shot back, “Get lost.”
Dora smiled faintly, shaking her head. Any goodwill she’d previously felt toward Linda for having a bit of cleverness–gone. Linda always acted like some harmless, naive little flower. But no–she wasn’t innocent. Just
foolish.
‘Does she really think that someone who could joke around like an equal with this group of elite kids–someone they all respect–is just a nobody?‘ Dora thought.
“Erin asked me to pass on a message. The design plans and furniture are all set–he wants to know if starting construction tomorrow works for you,” Byron said quietly, eyes fixed on the pale, delicate fingers still hooked around the beads on his wrist.
“I’ll message him back later,” Dora replied softly, absentmindedly rolling the beads between her fingers. Then she glanced up, her eyes meeting Byron’s deep, unreadable gaze. “The acquisition deal–did you finish it?”
“Not quite. I’m flying out at eleven. Should have it wrapped up by the end
of the week.
Dora immediately let go and tapped his solid bicep. “Then go. Don’t miss your flight on my account.”
“Yeah. I’ll bring you back a souvenir.” Byron gave her chin a playful nudge, like he was teasing a cat, eyes soft with affection.
Their voices were low and unhurried, like an invisible barrier had gone up around them. The rest of the class instinctively gave them space, quietly soaking in the chemistry like they were watching their favorite on- screen couple.
Chapter21
Effie rested her chin in her palm and clicked her tongue dramatically. “Ugh. That damn Byron demon is stealing my wife again.”
Derrick blinked slowly, mentally typing out a question mark. ‘You do know your fiance is standing right there, right?‘ he thought.
As the school day wound down, the official competition results were posted on the school website.
“Unbelievable. Dora took first place again?”
“Over six thousand votes? Dora, be honest–did you hire a bot farm?”
288 Vouchers
“Good thing Morning Sea wasn’t painted by her, or she would’ve snatched the Unique Vision Award too!”
“So who did win that one?”
“Third place–Whitney Mathis.”
“Man, so jealous. They get to be in the auction and partner with Rainbow Group.”
At Ordstead Middle School, these student competitions weren’t about prizes like stationery–no one cared about that Cash bonuses didn’t impress them either.
The real reward came with the top ten entries: they’d be auctioned off at a school–hosted charity gala attended by board members and students‘ high- profile parents.
The final sale price would be donated to a charity under the artist’s name- a boost to both their resume and their reputation.
Dora paused, glancing at the painting Dewey had given her. ‘Using his gift to polish my own public image. is that a bit heartless? Maybe I can lie and say there is prize money involved?‘ she thought.
Chapter21
288 Vouchers
“Hey, Effie, what’s the usual prize money for school competitions?”
Effie blinked. She wasn’t sure why Dora was suddenly asking about this. ‘Does she want a reward? But she doesn’t need the money…‘ she thought.
Still, she answered, “I heard Yredo Middle School gave out 100 to 170 dollars for a speech contest last semester.”
“That’s it?” Dora frowned. “Kinda stingy, isn’t it?”
