Chapter
Everardâs gaze darkened slightly.
The man standing before him was none other than Louie, and his appearance seemed unexpected. After a brief expression of surprise, Louie adjusted his glasses with a deft touch.
Both men were of similar height, with slim builds, but one was in a crisp white suit, exuding a refined air, while the other was decked out in black, a cool and wild presence.
An invisible tension spread between them as soon as they met.
Ballaster, who stood to the side, felt almost suffocated by the overpowering atmosphere. Unable to bear the pressure, he quickly interjected, âMr. Watkins, Mr. Adams, Iâll leave you to chat.â
With that, he made a hasty retreat.
Once Ballaster was gone, Everardâs eyes narrowed with a glint of coldness. Just then, Louie suddenly looked past him, âLia â
nover
Everard paused, instinctively glancing over his shoulder, only to find nothing but empty space. Turning back, he was confronted by a pocket watch swinging hypnotically before his eyesâ¦.
Everardâs gaze involuntarily followed the pendulum motion of the watch, his body slowly stiffening as his eyes dulled.
To control someone, you need them off guard.
Loule hadnât held out much hope for swaying Everard, just wanted to try his luck, but to his surprise, he succeeded! He pocketed the watch to avoid seeming too deliberate.
Then, he adjusted his glasses, and the lenses caught a cold glint of light. Now was the time for subtle suggestions. If he told Everard to break up with Cordelia, it would no doubt be effortless.
Louie watched Everard for a moment before speaking gently, âListen, whatever your reasons for being with her, you must treat Cordelia well for life, never betraying her, understand?â
Everard, seemingly entranced, nodded, âUnderstood.â
âUnderstood what?â Louie pressed, seeking to reinforce the suggestion.
âA lifetime of loyalty to Cordelia, never to betray,â Everard repeated.
With anyone else, Louie might have reinforced the suggestion multiple times, but with Everard, he dared not. He feared being discovered. So he stepped back and snapped his fingers, âSnap!â
Everardâs focus sharpened as if heâd snapped back to reality, looking slightly bewildered.
Loule, satisfied with the result, retreated into the throngs of the auction.
Once heâd disappeared, a sly smile played on Everardâs lips, his feigned bewilderment vanishing, a cunning light flashing in his deep eyes.
How bold Louie was to try and hypnotize him. Heâd pretended to be hypnotized just to what Louie was up to, never expecting the suggestion to be so benign.
Everard lowered his gaze.
Within the Pioneers Group, he understood everyone except Louie, who, despite years of observation, remained an enigma.
On the surface, a psychologist, yet indeed, he seemed busy with consultations every day.
But could such a man be just a psychologist?
As he pondered, footsteps approached from behind. Everard turned to see Cordelia approaching. She looked
×××
12:09
Chapter 142
him, asking, âWhy you here?â
Leaning casually against the wall, Everard answered in velvety voice, âBecause I miss you.â
Cordelia uttered an uneasy âOh,â then added âWell, youâve seen me. You can go now.â
Everard was speechless. His girl was surely clueless about romance!
Cordelia led the way back into the crowd, searching for Lorna, only to find Fanny confronting B. AsterBallaster, âB. Aster, it wasnât on purpose. I thought with Lorna not painting for eighteen years, her pen name was dead. I no harm. You must believe me.â
Ballaster chuckled at her explanation, even Naylor shook his head slightly. Ballaster responded, âFine, all you did was giving me a false lead, but I canât do much about that.â
Fanny exhaled in relief, tentatively asking, âWhat about that game projectâ¦?â
Ballaster cut her off, âSorry, I need to ask Lorna first. If sheâs not interested, Iâll come to you.â
Bypassing Fanny, he headed towards Lorna in the crowd.
Fanny stood rooted, fists clenched Sheâd been embarrassed at the auction but stayed for the game project. Yet now, Ballaster was going to ask Lorna first? It was a bitter pill to swallow.
She couldnât allow Lorna to climb over her head!
As the auction neared its end, everyone prepared to depart.
Lorna, Sanderson, Cordelia, and Everard were heading out when they ran into Laurinda at the door.
Laurinda had toned down her act after Sandersonâs warning. But seeing Lorna bask in adulation, Laurinda couldnât hide her resentment and complained to Rachel, âWhatâs the fuss? Even if she sold a painting today. not a dime went into her pocket. Sheâs still broke. Who knows if her old paintings will sell?â
As she spoke, Lornaâs phone rang.
Answering the call, whatever was said on the other end excited her. Hanging up, she bubbled to Sanderson and Cordelia, âMy friend said several people came to his studio and bought all my paintings. The four I left there sold for five million! Itâs already in my account!â
Five million? Laurindaâs eyes bulged. Her company shares and cash on hand barely amounted to tens of millions, yet Lornaâs few paintings fetched five million?
She swallowed hard, unable to resist asking Rachel, âHow long does it take her to paint one?â
Rachel pondered for a moment before replying, âOne day, I guess.â
One painting a day, thirty in a month, holy smokes, how much could she rake in?
Laurinda tried to crunch the numbers, but what she did understand was that Lorna was no longer the Lorna they knew!
Suddenly coming into five million had left Lorna gobsmacked.
Just as she was about to head out, she was stopped by Ballaster. Wearing a grin, Ballaster said, âLorn, hello, I wanted to chat with you about a collab. Iâve taken on this video game design gigâIâm on character creation, and I was thinking you handle the landscapes and settings. Sounds good to you?â
Fanny, who had been lurking not too far away, perked up her ears.
Back in college, Lorna wasnât into all that fuss; she just wanted to focus on her art. Chances are she might turn it down! And if she does, that golden opportunity would still be up for grabs!
Chapter 143