Chapter 140
Master Killian stood with an air of pride beside Noella.
Glancing behind him at the exhibition hall, he took in the artistic atmosphere. A symphony of colors and strokes had turned the modest space into something out of a Renaissance dream, with a luminous full moon hanging high above the carefully curated exhibits. Clearly, this was Noella’s handiwork. She had indeed surpassed the teacher.
He couldn’t fathom why these upstarts thought they could get the better of the talents he and the other old guys had painstakingly nurtured.
“Kiddo, don’t let them walk all over you,” he said, his voice carrying over the murmurs of the crowd. “It’s just an art exhibition, and not everyone deserves an invite.”
His gaze shifted to Walden, who stood there, stupefied.
The Gruber family had thrown a fortune at the chance to have Master Killian grace their gallery. They had sent out invitations like confetti, but to no avail–they hadn’t garnered a single
response.
Walden approached hastily. “Master Killian, our gallery would be honored to host you as our premier artist. We’ve sent numerous invitations, but we’ve heard nothing back. We truly seek your presence!”
If Killian agreed, the Gruber Family’s gallery would make its mark on Imperial City and ascend to new heights.
Killian regarded Walden with a look that bordered on disdain. “Who are you, again?”
Walden’s cheeks flushed a shade of crimson. In front of the press and the public, Master Killian had snubbed him. If word got back to his family, the other Grubers would never let him live it down. As a bastard son, he had to excel in his work to secure a foothold in the family.
“Master Killian, I am Walden of the Gruber family. Our gallery in Imperial City is about to open, and we’d be privileged to have you.”
Master Killian gave Walden a look that could only be described as ‘are you serious?‘
“Why would I forsake my apprentice’s gallery for yours? Is it you who’s lost his senses, or am I just too brilliant?”
Walden struggled to maintain his composure.
“Girl, a gallery isn’t complete without artwork. Bring me my tools!” Master Killian extended his hand, and Noella stepped forward to roll up his sleeves. He was about to create a masterpiece–right there and then!
The Schnabel family and the media were agog with surprise.
Sienna nudged Tristan, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Honey, can you believe Noella is Master
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Killian’s apprentice? Our little girl is a protégé of a painting legend. How did she manage that?” Tristan, although clueless about when Noella became acquainted with Master Killian, puffed out his chest with pride. “Our daughter is exceptional!”
He leaned toward Marcel, whispering, “Dad, did you introduce Noella to Master Killian?”
Marcel looked baffled. “I don’t even know the man, let alone introduce her.”
He wondered if perhaps Palmer had arranged the meeting. It wasn’t beyond the realm of possibility–given the Pollack family’s clout, they could have sought Master Killian’s support for Noella in advance.
Master Killian rarely painted in public anymore, and never with an apprentice. The media present were in a frenzy.
Who would dare call Ms. Schnabel’s gallery a joke now? With Killian’s arrival, the Grubers were the real laughingstock!
As Master Killian prepared to paint, Walden frowned. “Master Killian, isn’t painting before the media a desecration of art?”
Master Killian put down his brush and looked at Noella. “Who is this guy? Annoying, isn’t he? Can we hit him?”
Yes, but not in front of these people.
Noella glanced at the persistent Walden and summoned security.
“Walden poached our staff, sabotaged our partnerships, and stole trade secrets,” she said with calm authority. “Shall we discuss this here, or at the police station? It’s funny, just yesterday, I dealt with a greedy employee who, as it turns out, was Walden’s aunt.”
Walden studied Noella’s face, which was as beautiful as any painting, and clenched his jaw. “Ms. Schnabel, I’ll remember you. Make sure you remember me, too. We’ll cross paths again.”
“I have no interest in remembering a fool,” Noella replied coolly, dismissing him without a second thought.
Walden gritted his teeth, about to confront Noella, but the Schnabel brothers stepped in front of
him.
Beckett cracked his knuckles, the sound echoing ominously. “The weather’s getting cold. Perhaps the Gruber family’s business could use a chill, too.”
Ulrich’s lips curved into a smirk. “And those old injuries of yours, Walden–they must flare up in this damp weather.”
Stirling turned to the media. “You know how to spin this, right? Walden’s antics need to make headlines, for those who need to know!”
The people who needed to be in the know were, of course, all members of the Gruber family.
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Jasper squinted his eyes and said, “The cease and desist letter will be sent along with you. Now, get out.”
It was a blatant threat!
Walden cast a glance at them before following the security guard out of the gallery, He couldn’t quite wrap his head around it. Everything had been meticulously planned, foolproof. He was supposed to create a scene at the gallery today and then graciously offer his help, Surely, Ms. Schnabel would remember him that way.
Yet, she dared to snub him like this!
Once the Gruber family caught wind of this, it would surely tarnish the reputation he had worked so hard to build among them!
That damn Yvonne had claimed Ms, Schnabel was just a country bumpkin fresh from the sticks. How on earth could she know Master Killian? Could it be that the Schnabels had paved the way for her long ago?
The more Walden thought about it, the more uneasy he felt! He had to get Wise Fool to agree to collaborate with him. Any living Schnabel would pose a significant obstacle to his ambitions!
Back in the gallery, Master Killian massaged his wrist as he surveyed the three–meter–long
canvas.
“Noella, your side is over there, and mine is here.”
“Got it.”
Sienna’s eyes widened with excitement. “Is Noella painting too? Quick, get it on camera! Send it to Elara and my mom!”
Stirling had already set up the ultra–high–definition camera equipment, aiming it at Noella.
On the stage, both Noella and Master Killian held several brushes, splashing the pre–mixed paints directly onto the canvas as they began their creative endeavor!
Everyone present held their breath, not wanting to disturb the moment that seemed nothing short of miraculous.
An hour later, Noella and Master Killian stopped painting simultaneously, both rubbing their slightly sore wrists.
Before them stretched a breathtaking oil painting, three meters in length and two in width. It depicted rolling green hills, a quaint bridge over a babbling brook, with vibrant flowers scattered across a picturesque village. The romanticism of the countryside leaped out from the canvas, stunning onlookers with its vibrant color balance, as if the very soul of the scene was dancing within the painting!
This was no mere painting; it was a masterpiece!
Walden had brought a host of artists to stir trouble, but they were all dumbfounded by the
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artwork before them. Most astonishing was that the painting showed no signs of being a collaboration; the junctions were flawless. Ms. Schnabel’s artistic talent was undoubtedly of a prodigious caliber!
Noella set down her brushes and faced the crowd. “This painting is the sole exhibit for today. Are you all satisfied?”
