8
My words completely enraged Blake. He pointed directly at my nose, shouting,
“I see you won’t believe it until you hit rock bottom! Just wait until Mr. Thompson announces the ownership of the gallery. Let’s see if you can still laugh then!”
As soon as he finished speaking, Mr. Thompson slowly emerged from the lounge, standing on the central stage, looking down at everyone.
Daisy sneered, pulling Blake away. As she passed me, she whispered in a voice only I could hear, threateningly,
“You b*tch, I’ll make sure you never get anywhere in life. You’ll be begging at my feet.”
I didn’t respond, quietly waiting for Mr. Thompson’s announcement. I was practically bursting with anticipation to see their faces when they learned the truth.
“Everyone, please quiet down. I have an announcement to make at this banquet!”
At Mr. Thompson’s words, everyone fell silent, waiting for him to continue.
“I am now transferring the ownership of the downtown plaza gallery to…”
Mr. Thompson paused. Daisy and Blake already wore triumphant smiles, sneering in my direction.
They looked like award winners, ready to walk onto the central stage.
“…Ms. Vivian!”
With that single sentence, the crowd erupted.
Daisy and Blake’s expressions froze, their faces twisting into grotesque grimaces.
“Why?!”
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Blake could no longer suppress his inner rage, shouting loudly.
“Aren’t you Daisy’s relative? Didn’t you two secretly agree already? Why did you give the gallery to Vivian?! You’re a liar!”
Mr. Thompson’s face darkened, and he motioned for them to be escorted out.
“Security! Who are these two lunatics? They don’t have tickets! Get them out of here, now!”
The two were roughly pushed and shoved, leaving the venue in a pathetic state. Even outside, Daisy’s expression was still one of disbelief, her eyes fixed on me.
Blake, knowing his only chance had been snatched by me, screamed and vented like a madman, completely losing all semblance of composure.
I patted Jasper’s shoulder beside me, saying softly,
“I’ll use that gallery to host your art exhibition. The profits earned, I’ll give you according to market rates…”
“I don’t want a single cent of the profits.”
Jasper interrupted me. His eyes held a myriad of emotions, his tone firm.
“You gave me this opportunity, bringing me into everyone’s view, Vivian. You are my benefactor. For me, our relationship can’t be measured by profit. Please don’t be so distant with me, okay?”
I was touched by Jasper’s sincerity. Looking into his eyes, I found myself reaching out and gently stroking his head.
His body stiffened in surprise, a flush appearing on his face. He lowered his head, letting me continue, his expression unreadable.
After the banquet, Jasper drove me home.
I immediately began planning the art exhibition, set to open in ten days.
During these days, to seek inspiration, I wandered the streets.
I coincidentally ran into Daisy and Blake, arguing in front of a supermarket, surrounded by onlookers.
“Blake, what did you say when you first got with me? That you’d make me live in luxury, that you’d give me anything I wanted!”
“And now? You can’t even afford to buy me a bouquet of flowers or a cake! What good are you to me?!”
Daisy was hysterical, her eyes bloodshot as she glared at Blake.
The affection and indulgence were gone from Blake’s face, replaced by a furrowed brow and impatience.
“Now you think I’m useless? I have no money right now, I’m struggling just to live, and you still want me to buy you this and that? Can you stop being so unreasonable?!”
“We agreed that gallery would be ours, and what happened? Nothing! I taught you how to paint, and you couldn’t even
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learn properly, you have no talent! And now you’re looking down on me!”
