Chapter 80

Chapter 080 Can We Start Over Met with Owen’s astonishment, Hailey said nonchalantly, “Mr. Moore, you don’t have to lay it bare.” It was really created by her. What other skills of hers were beyond his knowledge? Under Hailey’s composed gaze, Owen overcame his shock and doubts. This woman had perfectly kept everything from him. If he made a fuss, it would make him look like an ignoramus, and she would look down upon him.

Painting itself was no secret, but reproduction was a different story. The possessors of such skills usually kept low profiles. She saw through his doubts and admiration for the painting. He couldn’t tear his eyes away and held it so carefully as if his touching would break it. His cautious look was really funny. Hailey offered her explanation. “I painted it when I was little or young, to be exact. At 14 or 15, I went to an exhibition with my dad and saw this painting. I liked the heroic poem on it. The storms are nothing to be afraid of. They’re just ingredients of life.” “14 or 15. That was after your abduction, right?” Owen naturally picked up the conversation and suddenly realized that they had witnessed the darkest days in each other’s life. Fate was really too wonderful for words. Hailey lightly hummed and nodded. Owen looked down at the painting still incredulously. “You saw the painting and then reproduced it?” “Of course not, I’m not a god,” Hailey said helplessly. Even if she was gifted with a photographic memory, she couldn’t possibly remember every detail from the paper to the painting work. “My dad liked it very much and wanted to buy it. However, the curator was reluctant to sell. He pestered the curator till the latter agreed to lend him for three days. Since my dad liked it so much, I painted this after the original… Back then, I was too young to possess profound skills or comprehend the poem. I just mechanically copied it. My dad liked the replica so much that he hung it in his office till this day.” She narrated the story in such a flat tone as if it was not a big deal. Now he finally understood what humblebragging meant. “The replica is vivid. I think you’re being humble.” Hailey lightly shook her head. “This shows that you’re still an amateur in this trade. Dilettantes watch the scene of bustle while adepts guard the entrance. If my teacher saw this painting, he would scold me for sure. It’s just that my hands are no longer fit for the job, and I can disgrace him no more.”

Owen furrowed his brows. “You mean the calluses on your hands?”

Hailey didn’t respond. In this trade, reproduction was more than copying. The fine texture should be retained, but her fingers had been thickly calloused. She could no longer feel the texture, and her reproductions could no longer compare with the originals. Since he learned about Hailey’s true identity, Owen had been wondering how the calluses on her hands were formed. She was a daughter of the Newman family. Even if she hadn’t been pampered from her childhood, she couldn’t work all day as those rural children did. How were the calluses formed?

Just as he was about to ask, the waiter came in with the dishes. He put the painting away and put his questions aside. Even the most common dishes cooked by the chef of the national banquet were different. They smelt heavenly and made his mouth water.

“Dig in.” Face to face, they ate and talked about the racecourse project. Neither of them talked much, but their words were to the point. As soon as he mentioned something, she’d know what he was going to say. There was a tacit understanding between them. The meal was a joyful one. The atmosphere was harmonious, and they interacted like old friends. Hailey suddenly remembered what Matthew had said. Although they couldn’t be husband and wife, they could be friends. Her pupils slightly contracted as her eyes fell on Owen.

Obviously, he had preened himself for the dinner. Usually, he was dressed in a business suit. Tonight, he was wearing a cyan suit with indigo cufflinks and a red tie that was not his usual style. His overall image was yuppy.

Other things aside, the appearance and temperament of the man were unparalleled. Few women could resist this type, and she was no exception. If she hadn’t loved him so much and he hadn’t hurt her so badly, they might become friends or even confidants.

Owen talked for a while before noticing Hailey’s silence He Innked down and saw her quietly gazing at him. Her pretty eyes were thick with sadness. The mole under her watery eye looked distant. He then realized that he had talked a lot tonight. It was more than what he usually spoke in a week. He wasn’t forcing himself to talk. He just naturally voiced whatever came to mind. In the past, he hadn’t found that Hailey and he could have so many things to talk about. That was because she had disguised herself in front of him, and he had never opened himself up to her. “Hailey,”

he suddenly called out to her. The woman in a daze subconsciously hummed. Owen’s obsidian eyes gazed at her across the table. A hint of rare shyness crept onto his handsome face. His lips parted, and he said bluntly in a deep, hoarse voice, “Can we start over?” Hailey’s heart convulsed. The information sank in, and she came to her senses. It was a long silence. Her gaze flustered Owen. At that moment, he was like a teenage boy confessing to the girl he liked. He was afraid of her rejection but could not suppress his feelings. He was anxiously waiting for her answer. The corners of Hailey’s lips slowly curved up but not in a delightful way. She sneered, “Did Eliza awaken the Casanova genes of a spoony bird?” Her words dampened his enthusiasm. Owen’s pupils contracted, and his lips were pursed into a line. “What do you mean by that?” “You went to meet a beautiful lady in red last night and came to net your ex-wife tonight. Mr. Moore, your cheating skills are as impressive as ever.” Hailey slightly curled her lips, but the look in her eyes was chilling.