Chapter 249

Chapter 249:

Elaine said coldly, “Before this banquet, we had no idea that Hutton was considering Madisyn as his student, nor did we realize she was so talented in painting. Hutton mentioned he would hold a banquet to introduce his new student, so we informed you.”

“She’s your daughter. How could you not know she is good at painting? Who would believe that?” Sarai found Elaine’s words absurd. Her eyes brimmed with resentment and disdain.

Courtney felt like she might burst into tears. Most people tend to sympathize with the underdog. Witnessing this scene, many felt sorry for her.

“I do feel sorry for Courtney… Since it’s a new student introduction banquet, shouldn’t Glenn have made it clear who it was for…”

“That’s right. He let them be happy for a while, only to be embarrassed later.”

“I might have reacted like Courtney if I were in her shoes. After all, she didn’t know Madisyn could paint.”

“Is this some kind of scheme?”

Some began to view Glenn and his family skeptically. Seeing this, Sarai smirked inwardly. Even if Courtney wasn’t chosen as Hutton’s student, this was enough. In time, everyone would see how Madisyn mistreated Courtney. She would never enjoy a good reputation again. Even Glenn’s reputation might suffer.

“What does this have to do with them?” Hutton’s voice suddenly cut through the murmurs. He had approached as soon as he heard the commotion. He had never liked Rowan and his family. “Rowan, you just allow your wife and daughter to behave like that?”

Rowan was caught off guard by Hutton’s public reprimand, his face turning red. “Mr. Marquez, I…”

“I visited your home, and after seeing your daughter’s paintings, I said I’d consider mentoring her. I thought you understood my meaning.” Hutton’s tone was frosty. “I won’t take any student who isn’t talented enough.”

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His comment left Rowan visibly more mortified. It turned out Hutton was declining to mentor Courtney with those words. At that moment, everyone finally grasped the situation.

“Oh, so Hutton had already turned Courtney down.”

“Well, Hutton’s rejection was too subtle.”

Hutton said, “I spared the time to see your daughter’s paintings out of respect for your elder brother. It’s disappointing to see how you reproach him like that now. You are no longer welcome at my banquet.” It was clear that Hutton was showing Rowan and his family the door.

Rowan and his family were visibly shaken. Rowan quickly approached Glenn and apologized, “Glenn, I’m sorry. I don’t blame you. My wife and Courtney acted impulsively because they struggled to accept the reality. Please don’t hold it against them.”

Glenn looked at his younger brother and said softly, “After our father passed, I’ve always tried to support you. I even bought up all the paintings you couldn’t sell each year. Yet, I never expected that you would think I would do something like that to you.”

Rowan was struck speechless. His artwork had always sold out over the years. Even those that didn’t sell initially would be bought at a high price by the end of the year. That was how he could afford a home in Ansport. But he had never known it was Glenn who had been aiding him discreetly all along.

At that moment, Rowan was overwhelmed with shame. He was heartbroken and couldn’t even face Glenn. “Glenn, I…”

“You can go now,” Glenn said.

Feeling disgraced, Rowan left with Sarai and Courtney. After they departed, the atmosphere at the party lightened considerably, and everyone began to relax and enjoy themselves.

Sitting next to Madisyn, Andrew looked over at her and inquired, “Sweetheart, how many more secrets are you keeping from me?”

“Not many,” Madisyn replied with a smile.

Gazing back at him, she teased, “I don’t think I have as many as you do.”

Andrew’s dark eyes widened in surprise. How could Madisyn know…? But then he caught the playful glint in her eyes and realized she had been jesting. She was quite adept at using psychology.

After the dinner, the guests dispersed. Glenn invited Hutton to visit his home, and Hutton accepted the invitation. They were enjoying tea and having lively conversation there. Conversely, the mood in another place was decidedly chilly.

On the way back, Courtney was crying the entire time. Rowan was frustrated. “Enough! Stop crying.”

Sarai, feeling pity for Courtney, said, “She’s already so upset. Is that how you act as her father? Why are you speaking to her like this?”

“She should have realized she’s not the best,” Rowan retorted sharply. “If she had, today’s embarrassment wouldn’t have happened.”

Sarai’s eyes widened in disbelief, and she said, “Rowan, are you serious? Your brother and his family kept the truth from us on purpose because they wanted to see us embarrassed. Don’t you see that?”

“Glenn wouldn’t do something like that,” Rowan said.

“If he had no such intentions, things wouldn’t have unfolded like this today. Did you change your stance just because you knew he bought your paintings?” Sarai said sarcastically. “You’re too soft-hearted, and that’s why you’ll never outdo Glenn.”

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