Chapter 207 Bianca Can Recognize Others as Father
However, Ivan could only think about it. After all, Andrew was still right there.
He didn't dare actually steal someone's student.
The most shocked person at the scene was none other than Delmar.
His expression was one of complete disbelief.
Such a young child already qualified to join the Art Guild?
You have to know, back when he started, it took him over ten years to make even a small name for himself in this circle.
He only successfully applied to join the association fifteen years into his career.
He never expected reality to slap him in the face like this.
Delmar's face changed colors repeatedly. Full of resentment but not daring to directly question Ivan, he could only turn to look at Sophia and ask her, "Didn't you say she just paints for fun?"
"I... I didn't know either..." Sophia's face was also turning from pale to purple.
She never dreamed that this little fool would have such talent.
Why did all the good things in this world go to Olivia?
At the previous two summits, she had already made her lose face.
This time, she thought she could turn things around through her son's achievements and make everyone see them in a new light. But once again, she was harshly slapped in the face.
The words of praise for Aiden earlier felt like a slap across her face, burning with discomfort.
She clenched her hands and instinctively looked at Michael's reaction, feeling very anxious. She was afraid Michael would regret the divorce because of this, afraid he would turn his attention back to Olivia and her fool of a daughter.
Michael also seemed to have just learned about this, his expression very surprised.
His inner turmoil was stronger than anyone else's.
Whether it was Olivia or Bianca, he realized he knew so little about them.
Every time he learned something about them, it was from other people.
He suddenly remembered back when he and Olivia hadn't divorced yet, Bianca wanted to give him a painting, and Olivia told him she wanted to send their daughter to learn painting.
At the time, he didn't take it seriously, thinking everything was just Olivia's tricks to get his attention.
But now, suddenly learning the truth, he found it hard to believe.
Was Bianca really that good at painting?
Even the Art Guild had sent her an invitation.
Olivia saw everyone's changing expressions.
But she couldn't be bothered with these people's feelings. She just glanced at Andrew, her eyes showing some gratitude. "Thank you."
She thanked him quietly.
Her tense emotions could finally relax.
She knew that with Andrew's status, Bianca's membership qualification was also at his suggestion, which is why Ivan made the offer.
Andrew looked at her with gentle eyes and replied, "No need to thank me. This is what Bianca deserves. She's very talented and people can see her potential, that's why they invited her."
Olivia nodded, accepting this explanation, but she was still grateful to him in her heart.
Andrew didn't dwell on this topic. His eyes coldly turned to the nearby staff member, saying, "Go get your exhibition manager. Since both sides have different stories about this painting and can't settle it, let's check the surveillance footage. Whoever came first gets it."
Hearing this, the staff member, being sharp, immediately saw that this person had an extraordinary status. Having already made a mistake earlier, they didn't dare delay now and quickly responded, "Okay, I'll go right away!"
Soon, the exhibition manager came over.
On the way, they had already learned what happened. To avoid making things bigger, and with the frequently-seen Ivan there to keep things under control, pulling up the surveillance footage didn't take much time.
Soon, the screen showed Olivia appearing with Bianca.
The mother and daughter first stopped in front of the sunflower painting. Olivia crouched down to talk with Bianca about the painting, and she was also the first to call over a staff member.
Worth mentioning was that during this time, Aiden also appeared.
He wandered around the venue, showing no interest in any particular painting, just like he was there to play.
Until he saw Olivia and Bianca and watched behind the mother and daughter for quite a while.
Only when Olivia called out to the staff member to buy the painting did he suddenly alert and shout, "I want to buy this painting!"
Seeing this, Michael's face darkened, looking extremely unpleasant, the irritation in his heart growing stronger.
He looked coldly at Aiden on the ground.
Sophia was frightened by his look. Her heart jumped, and she quickly said, "Michael, Aiden definitely didn't say he wanted it just because he heard them say they wanted it.
He must have been looking at the painting then, not at Olivia and Bianca."
Aiden also panicked a bit and quickly agreed, "Yes, Daddy Michael, I was looking at the painting because it was damaged and I was curious, so I watched. I didn't even notice it was them."
However, these words no longer had the credibility they had at the beginning.
Andrew on the side had no intention of continuing to watch.
He spoke to the exhibition manager, "Since things are clear now, please take down the painting. We'll take it."
Hearing this, a hint of hostility appeared in Michael's eyes.
With a stern face, he stepped forward and said, "Bianca is my daughter. Since this painting is what she wants, I'll pay for it."
Hearing this, Andrew's deep gaze lightly fell on his face.
Michael met his eyes, a strong sense of hostility shooting from his eyes.
Both men held high positions, and their presence was naturally formidable. People around them felt a strong sense of pressure from them.
This feeling was almost suffocating.
The exhibition manager's mind went blank.
What was going on now?
Who should they give the painting to?
As the exhibition manager struggled, Olivia stepped forward.
She spoke in a cold tone, "No need to trouble Mr. Johnson. Whatever Bianca wants, I'll pay for it myself.
Since you didn't want to give it in the first place, there's no need for this late charity. Bianca won't be happy taking it anyway. If you really care about her, don't ruin her rare good mood."
After speaking, Olivia ignored Michael's surprised and somewhat displeased expression and directly instructed the exhibition manager, "Please help us take down the painting. I'll go pay in a moment."
"Okay, please wait. I'll have someone take it down right away." The exhibition manager breathed a slight sigh of relief and quickly had the staff take down the painting.
Olivia also withdrew her gaze, ignoring Michael and the others. Instead, she looked at Andrew and said warmly, "We've found the painting. Let's go."
"Okay." Andrew nodded slightly, withdrew his gaze, and took Bianca's hand.
Bianca showed no resistance to him at all.
This formed a strong contrast with her timid appearance hiding behind Olivia when she saw Michael earlier.
Seeing this, Michael's eyes finally darkened.
He could no longer stand this feeling and said sternly to Olivia, "Olivia, don't forget, I'm Bianca's father!"
Olivia's steps toward leaving stopped.
She found Michael's words somewhat ridiculous.
What she didn't understand even more was what Michael meant by emphasizing this now.
In the past, when Bianca needed a father, he was dismissive, cold, and ignored the child's needs.
Now he was rushing to assert his status.
But did he deserve it?
Olivia didn't want to waste words with him. She just wanted to take Bianca and leave quickly, away from these people.
But unexpectedly, Bianca stopped herself, turned to look at Michael, her big watery eyes no longer timid.
Her small voice asked clearly, "Daddy, if you can be someone else's father, can I recognize someone else as my daddy too?"
Michael, who had just been angry, heard his daughter's words and his expression suddenly froze. Then, he looked at his daughter with some disbelief.
What did she just say?
She wanted to recognize someone else as her father?
Michael's face became unpleasant again.
Olivia was also somewhat stunned.
She didn't expect her daughter to say such words.
With red-rimmed eyes, Bianca said stubbornly, "Daddy doesn't like me and always bullies Mommy...
You only like Aiden and that bad woman. When I was sick and they called me a fool, you protected them."
Tears welled up in Bianca's eyes as she sobbed, "I can paint, and I'll become very good in the future. I'll protect Mommy. I don't need a daddy."
Hearing Bianca's tearful complaint, Olivia felt her heart being crushed with pain.
In her marriage with Michael, because Bianca was present, she tried to avoid arguing with Michael.
But Michael wouldn't consider these things.
At that time, Bianca's autism was very severe.
She thought Bianca wouldn't take those arguments to heart. She wouldn't remember them.
But actually, Bianca was very clear in her heart.
Now that she actively said she didn't need a father, it showed how disappointed she was in Michael.
Olivia's heart ached terribly. She felt the air here was suffocating.
She couldn't stay another moment. She quickly picked up Bianca and left.
She was afraid Bianca's emotions would fluctuate too much and she'd be affected by them again.
Seeing this, Andrew quickly followed them.
Michael stood behind, watching them leave, without the courage to chase after them. His body couldn't help but sway.
He had never liked his daughter Bianca much, that was indeed true.
But even though he didn't like her, deep down he was still confident that Bianca was his daughter.
No matter how he treated the child, she wouldn't become distant or estranged from him.
But only now did Michael realize he was wrong.
Bianca's declaration just now caused him strong backlash.
The crying little voice, full of endless grievance, was something he had never seen before.
She said she didn't need a father anymore.
For the first time, Michael felt his heart being torn apart with pain.