Chapter 179: Money Transferred

Chapter 179: Money Transferred

The leader on stage kept talking, while Cheyenne happily received her

money off stage.

The sound of the software transfer continued to ring in the background

for about twenty minutes.

When the last payment was transferred into Cheyenne's account, Sean

sitting in front of her couldn't take it anymore and turned around to look

at her.

He saw that annoying woman sitting there with a country bumpkin look

on her face, holding her phone and giggling. In stark contrast was a

red-haired young man with tears in his eyes looking very upset.

Sean raised his eyebrows with disgust and impatience. "Cheyenne,

why are you so annoying? Can you put your phone on silent? Don't you

see that someone's speaking up there?"

Cheyenne sneered and thought, "Wasn't he chatting and laughing with

his girlfriend Mikaela? Pot calling kettle black!"

Without a doubt, Cheyenne gave him an eye roll and then she opened

up Paypal to check her balance. It showed over ten million dollars!

Not bad at all.

“If you find it annoying, you can plug your ears. I love the crisp sound

when money is transferred into my account; it's simply the most

beautiful music in this world!"

Sean gritted his teeth; this little bitch was showing off how rich she was!

Jerry felt heartbroken but listened anyway as coins clinked onto the

ground...

Finally, after much anticipation, the painting competition began.

Thousands of college students came to register for participation.

In order to ensure fairness and transparency during judging process,

the organizers decided that all participants must submit their works on

site for review before being admitted into one of four groups: oil

painting group, traditional painting group, calligraphy group, and

creative art group.

Nora studied oil paintings; over these past ten years or so she had won

numerous awards among young people which made her quite

accomplished in this field.

Her appearance caused quite a stir - it really looked like an idol walking

through an airport terminal surrounded by fans asking for autographs.

Mikaela followed behind Nora along with her friend Eleanor Sharp as

they went together to register their works.

“Nora is so pretty and talented, really makes me envious," said Eleanor

admiringly.

Hearing her friend's admiration, Mikaela replied expressionlessly,

"Hmm." A dark glint flashed quickly across her clear cold eyes like mist

rising from water covering Mikaela's eyes.

Meanwhile, Cheyenne stood up elegantly, stretching lazily before

stepping forward towards registration booth in slippers. As soon as

Nora submitted hers work, the judges’ eyes lit up simultaneously while

glancing at each other approvingly.

"Great! This piece has the master's style, with perfect composition,

color and handling of light and shadow. It's her!" The other two also

nodded in agreement.

“It would be impossible for this young girl to have such painting skills

without at least ten years of practice. There aren't many young people

nowadays who have this kind of perseverance," one judge commented.

"Her recommender is Xzavier Rivera. Miss Nora, may I ask what your

relationship is with Mr. Rivera?" The elderly judge asked while stroking

his beard, his eyes filled with admiration.

“I am Mr. Rivera's student,” Nora timidly replied.

The three judges all had a look of understanding on their faces.

"Well done! No wonder you are Mr. Rivera's student, Miss Lawrence.

Your painting also embodies the consistent style of your teacher and is

a rare masterpiece,” said the elderly man whose white beard covered

his face that was full of wrinkles except for his eyebrows which were

missing altogether.

He wore a crystal badge on his chest with his name written on it - Theo

Roberts - which made Nora feel hot-headed, almost losing her

composure as she realized that this ordinary-looking old man was

actually the vice president of Chulae Art College and one of eight

commissioners for Onistead Calligraphy and Painting Association.

His father Stanley Roberts studied oil painting and became famous

both domestically and internationally. He founded an art gallery which

has now become one must-visit tourist attraction in Onistead where

many previous famous artworks including works by the Roberts family

can be found, each costing no less than six figures.

In front of many participants, Theo placed Nora's artwork separately.

He divided the several hundred thick stack of artworks into three

categories: one for those that could advance to the next round, another

for those to be discarded and eliminated, and the third category had

only two or three pieces, which they believed had the potential to win

awards. In the minds of these three judges, Nora's painting was

undoubtedly a top contender for the gold prize.

The weather was scorching hot, and the other contestants were

queuing under the blazing sun to submit their artwork. However, the

person under the eaves instantly became the center of attention for

everyone. The woman took out a table from the promotional service

area, and after saying something to the people around her, the security

guard stepped aside.

A few minutes later, the security guard hurriedly brought a pile of things

to Cheyenne.

On stage, Layne felt a headache watching his granddaughter who just

started working on her painting.

Standing next to him was his arch-nemesis, Theo.

They had known each other for years and conflicted because of the

competition for vice president of the association.

The former president actually favored Layne's traditional painting.

However, for some unknown reason, Theo became the vice president

while Layne chose to leave the association altogether.

For years, they hadn't crossed paths. However, Theo had silently kept

an eye on Layne for over a decade, including learning about the news

that Layne's painting "Summer Retreat" had recently sold for several

million dollars.

In response, he painted his own version hoping to prove that he was

better than Layne but ended up getting embarrassed instead.

Summer Retreat is all about capturing the coolness and tranquility

through spiritual means - using objects as carriers of emotions and

giving people room for imagination. On the other hand, oil paintings are

straightforward representations of reality where accuracy in depicting

objects and people determines its quality. His Summer Retreat failed

miserably against Layne's work.

“I remember that girl is your own granddaughter, Layne? I wonder

which category she'll compete in today?"

Whispers from those waiting behind them could be heard murmuring

among themselves.

“I saw her materials were all new and unopened earlier on! Is she going

to paint live?"

"That can't be right! A painting takes at least half a day; there's no way

she can finish it within an hour.”

"Hurry up! Look at how fast her hands are moving!"

Amidst everyone's amazement, Cheyenne calmly prepared her colors

before picking up two brushes simultaneously to start painting with her

hair tied back using one brush as a holder while sitting confidently on a

blue plastic chair facing away from everyone else around her.

The dark shadow cast by the eaves divided this bustling competition

scene outside from inside where time flowed peacefully like music

playing softly in one's ears.