Chapter 45 Reminiscence
The two hadn't seen each other in ages, so naturally, they had a ton to catch up on.
Evelyn and Freya chatted for hours. Realizing it was getting late, they reluctantly took the kids back to the hotel.
With several days left before the art competition, Evelyn planned to spend some quality time with her kids and explore the area.
Sarah's latest report quickly went viral.
Arthur, scrolling through his phone, stopped at a photo of Evelyn and Freya together.
"Dad, do you think we'll see Mom?" James asked anxiously.
He and John were still squabbling, even after flying all the way overseas.
"Absolutely," Arthur reassured him, glancing at the competition's address. "I always keep my promises."
His words planted a seed of hope in James's heart.
Not far behind, Seraphina followed, her expression dark with anger.
What was supposed to be a romantic trip with Arthur had turned into a family outing because of John and James.
How was she supposed to get close to Arthur now, to share intimate moments with him?
Arthur's attention was entirely on the kids, not her.
The more she thought about it, the angrier she became, stomping her foot in frustration.
On the day of the art competition, the venue buzzed with excitement. Evelyn couldn't help but feel a bit nervous.
"Mom, you got this!" Ella mouthed, standing on tiptoe to kiss Evelyn, who had bent down to her level.
Evelyn gradually calmed down and confidently walked onto the stage.
"Art knows no borders," She said, looking at the lively crowd with a serene smile. "I'm honored to be a judge for this competition."
"Winning is important, but what's more important is finding joy in the process of creating art. I hope everyone here can find their own answers through this competition."
Her poised speech earned her enthusiastic applause, officially kicking off the event.
Freya then took the stage, putting an arm around Evelyn's shoulder. "Sarah is the most promising emerging artist I've admired in recent years," She told the audience with a smile. "I believe her insights will offer everyone a fresh perspective and lead us in appreciating a variety of artworks."
Freya's words, coming from such a respected figure in the industry, were as good as a public endorsement for Evelyn.
No one doubted her, and expectations for Evelyn soared.
"And now, please welcome the representative from the Collins Family Foundation to give a speech," The host announced.
The Collins Family?
Evelyn was stunned, frozen in place, unable to believe her ears.
She watched Arthur calmly walk up to the stage, her body stiffening.
Why was Arthur here?
"I'm delighted to sponsor this event," Arthur said, deliberately standing next to her as he took the microphone. "I hope everyone brings their best!"
The sight of them standing together immediately set off a frenzy among the media, who snapped photos crazily.
The Collins Family and Sarah had been the subject of rumors for a while, and now, seeing them together was a scoop no one wanted to miss.
"Sarah, Mr. Collins, over here!"
"Please look this way and smile!"
Seraphina, watching from the audience, was seething.
She gritted her teeth but, with so many people around, had to force a smile to maintain her image.
Who did Sarah think she was? Even abroad, she couldn't shake her off!
What right did she have to stand next to Arthur? That spot was supposed to be hers!
Unlike Seraphina's frustration, John and James were captivated by the scene.
"Dad and Mom really are a perfect match. Just standing together, they look amazing," James said.
"Hey, look, it's Ella and Julian!" John exclaimed, spotting them in the crowd. He grabbed James's hand, and they ran over.
"You guys are here too!" Julian said, surprised to see John in a foreign country.
Ella waved excitedly, using sign language to greet them.
Having spent some time with them, John had learned a bit of sign language and smiled, "Hey, Ella."
He couldn't help but glance at Evelyn on stage, admiringly saying, "Mom is incredible!"
Ella nodded vigorously, her big, bright eyes fixed on Evelyn.
But James felt left out, turning away coldly.
He felt like an outsider, a mix of emotions welling up inside him.
Why did they get to be so close while he was excluded? It wasn't fair.
Photos and videos of Sarah and Arthur together quickly spread online, sparking a new wave of public interest.
The topic of Sarah and the Collins Family shot to the top of trending lists.
[Sarah and Mr. Collins on stage together? Does this confirm their rumored relationship?]
[Sarah previously distanced herself from the Collins Family and refused their sponsorship, yet here they are interacting abroad. Their relationship must be special!]
[I can't believe it! I thought those past stories were just tabloid gossip!]
Seraphina, standing in a corner, read through the comments, shaking with rage.
This trip, meant to bring her and Arthur closer, had instead become a stage for Sarah.
Now, everyone was talking about Sarah and Arthur, while she remained invisible.
Evelyn totally wrecked her meticulously planned scheme.
Seraphina glared at the woman on stage, wishing she could drag her down and make her apologize.
Meanwhile, Evelyn's emotions were a whirlwind.
She deliberately avoided looking at Arthur, striving to stay composed in front of everyone.
But inside, she was a mess, her mind racing.
What was Arthur's game? Had he followed her here on purpose?
Was he just supporting this international event, or did he have another agenda? Was this all part of his plan?
Evelyn's eyes scanned the crowd for her kids, hoping Arthur wouldn't notice Julian and Ella.
If he did, her situation would only become more precarious.