Chapter 626
Nathan and Cameron followed the sound to the living room, only to find it empty. They realized the noise was coming from Mila’s studio and hurried over to see what was happening. The door was left open. The studio was filled with paintings hanging on the walls and some propped against the floor.
Fenna crouched down, feigning nervousness as she attempted to lift a sizable painting from the ground. She said sheepishly, “Sorry, Nate. I accidentally knocked over this painting.” Nathan’s face darkened, while Cameron hurried to help Fenna lift the painting. Yet, as they lifted it, Cameron’s complexion drained of color, and he stood frozen in disbelief.
On the four-foot square wooden board lay a portrait painted by Mila, depicting her family of three. However, it was marred by splatters of black ink.
Cameron’s voice rang out in dismay. “How could you damage someone else’s painting?”
Fenna’s expression fell as she gestured toward the spilled ink on the floor, explaining, “I didn’t mean to. I was just exploring and accidentally bumped into this painting. It fell and knocked over the ink on the floor.”
Cameron nervously glanced at the spilled ink, then shifted his gaze to Nathan’s somber visage. “Nate, I’m truly sorry. How can we make this right with the painting?”
Nathan’s hands were tucked in his pockets as his expression soured, his anger simmering. He had no idea Mila was painting a family portrait of them in the studio, let alone see the finished painting. And now it was ruined.
How could Mila, known for her usual carefulness and responsibility, have left the ink on the floor?
“This isn’t your concern,” Nathan told Cameron. “Fenna is 26, not 16. She needs to own up to her mistakes.”
“I’m sorry, Nate, it’s my fault. I was just being careless,” Fenna muttered apologetically.
“Just careless, huh? Or was it on purpose? You know the truth,” Nathan replied sarcastically.
He entered the studio slowly, his gaze falling sadly upon the painting they had just lifted. A sharp pang of heartache engulfed him.
Mila cherished her time, and it was difficult to imagine the effort and emotion she put into creating such a beautiful painting.
Nathan thought Fenna must be wicked to stir up trouble in his home. His expression hardened as he spoke firmly, “Inkwell’s paintings are worth at least a million dollars.”
Fenna was taken aback. “Who’s Inkwell?”
Nathan’s tone became sharper. “The painting you destroyed is worth at least a million dollars.”
Fenna scoffed and smirked before
i.ne
looking up at Nathan. “Come on, Nate, I understand you’re upset, but seriously? I didn’t mean to do it. Plus, who would value such simple paintings at a million? Who are you trying to fool?”
Cameron gripped Fenna’s hand tightly, frustration evident in his grip. “Fenna, this is too much. Wanda is a well-known philanthropic artist in Sunterland-Inkwell.
“Her top-selling painting went for tens of millions at auction and is showcased in museums. Why would you damage her artwork?”
Fenna’s expression shifted instantly
to seriousness, her voice trembling as she responded, “What? A philanthropic artist in Sunterland? How can a painting fetch tens of millions? Cam, are you crazy?”
Cameron was furious, holding his forehead with both hands. He muttered anxiously, “You’re the one who’s crazy.”
At the same time, Mila heard the noise downstairs and hurried into the studio. Seeing the portrait she had spent a week working on destroyed, she was stunned. Her heart felt like it was breaking.
During the days when Nathan
vanished, she fretted over his
absence. In her darkest times, she channeled her longing for him and her love for their child into her art, hoping to find comfort for her soul.
And now, it was all ruined.
Her emotions were a tangled mess of frustration and powerlessness. She wanted to scream out her anger but felt completely impotent.
Fenna still couldn’t grasp the gravity of the situation and continued to defend herself. “It’s just a painting, after all. Demanding millions is nothing but blackmail!”
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