Chapter 86: A Subtle Shift
Evelyn walked out of the museum with the painting. The wind at the entrance made her shiver. Down the steps, a figure stood in the shadow of a streetlamp, rubbing their hands together.
“Evelyn!” Seeing her, Sophie ran up, holding a thermos and a cashmere coat.
Before Evelyn could speak, Sophie draped the coat over her shoulders and pushed the thermos into her hands. “Drink this hot water. Your hands are freezing.”
Evelyn held the cup, feeling a wave of warmth that made her eyes prickle. The coldness she had felt inside vanished with the heat.
“Why are you here? I thought you were supposed to be resting?” Evelyn’s voice was hoarse.
“That Mr. Ryan Lawrence we met, he told me you were here,” Sophie scoffed, guiding her to the car. “How could I let you come alone? Besides, I have good news.”
They settled into Sophie’s car, where the heater was running. Sophie turned to her, her eyes bright. “The thing with Ethan is resolved.”
Evelyn was stunned. “Resolved? How?”
Sophie shrugged, her voice light. “Ethan and I released a joint statement—we’re dating. So all those photos of you two are now just friends hanging out or a doctor caring for a patient.”
Evelyn stared at her friend in shock. “Sophie, are you insane? Your reputation…”
“Reputation isn’t important. If it means Damian will stop harassing you and you get fewer rumors, who cares if I say I’m his girlfriend? Besides, Ethan is good-looking. I’m fine with it.”
Sophie cut her off and started the engine. “Also, Mr. Ryan helped resolve the malicious slander against Ethan.”
Evelyn lowered her head, tears falling into the thermos. Ethan risked his good name for her, and Sophie sacrificed her honor. It felt like she, "Mrs. Green," did nothing but cause trouble for those around her.
“Don’t cry,” Sophie said, freeing a hand to squeeze Evelyn’s. “We’re best friends, aren’t we?”
“But that Mr. Ryan is clearly interested in you. What’s the deal between you two?” Sophie asked, perhaps to lighten the mood or just for gossip.
Evelyn hesitated. She honestly didn’t know what her relationship with Ryan was: investor? collaborator? A partner for pleasure?
“He’s not just the Nova Group CEO, the partner for Professor Hayes’ design team,” Evelyn said, avoiding eye contact, feeling guilty about her intimate moments with him. “He is… the ‘Mr. K’ who funded me during college.”
“Ah, that makes sense,” Sophie nodded. The car merged onto the main road, and the city lights streamed across the window.
Evelyn wiped her tears, changing the subject. “Sophie, I have to go meet Ayla Vance.”
Sophie’s hand twitched, making the car momentarily swerve. “The Vance Group heiress? Damian is forcing you?”
“Yes.” Evelyn looked at the drawing tube in her lap, her fingers tightening. “That bastard!” Sophie hit the steering wheel, swearing under her breath.
After venting, Sophie quickly calmed down. “Ayla Vance is difficult. She’s high-maintenance in her circles and hates anything commercial.”
Sophie frowned, remembering. “But I saw her at a design show once. She’s very sensitive to color, especially melancholic, vintage shades. And that painting in your hand…”
“It’s The Broken Iris,” Evelyn murmured.
Sophie glanced at her in the rearview mirror. “With that painting as your calling card, you have a solid chance. I’m going with you.”
“No, I can’t let you trouble yourself…”
“Stop arguing,” Sophie interrupted. “I know the fashion world gossip better than you and how to handle those divas. Besides, two heads are better than one.”
The car stopped at a traffic light. Evelyn looked out the window and noticed a black sedan following them closely. The license plate was familiar, and the feeling of being followed made her uneasy. It was Damian’s car. Even after pushing her this far, he was still having her monitored.
“Don’t look back,” Sophie noticed. “If they want a show, let them have it.”
Sophie flipped the car behind them the middle finger in the rearview mirror, a defiant smile on her face. Then, she looped her arm through Evelyn’s. “Come on, honey, let’s go grab a good meal to celebrate that we survived another day!”
The black sedan seemed momentarily confused by the gesture, hesitated, and then dropped back. Evelyn looked at Sophie’s fearless face and felt her own fear lessen. Yes. As long as I’m still breathing, I have to keep fighting.
Late that night, back at the mansion, Evelyn found Damian still hadn't returned. He was probably with Sienna. She locked the bedroom door and took The Broken Iris out of the tube, placing it on her desk.
The desk lamp illuminated the canvas. The shattered iris, broken by the storm, was painted with a powerful, unyielding spirit. This was the painting Ayla Vance wanted. The painting Ryan gave her.
Evelyn’s fingers lightly traced the frame. It was an antique wooden frame, aged, with worn edges that gave it a rustic feel. Her fingertip slid along the inner edge of the frame, noticing a strange texture, like an etching.
Evelyn's heart skipped a beat. She grabbed a magnifying glass to examine the inner frame. Concealed by the wood grain was a tiny mark.
It was a line drawing of an iris, with a small barb at the tip of one petal—her unique personal signature mark!
Her breath hitched. This frame was custom. It wasn't the original antique; someone had commissioned a replica. And the person who commissioned it had placed her mark in the most hidden spot.
The phone screen on the desk lit up. A new email notification broke the silence. The sender was Ayla Vance’s personal assistant.
Evelyn took a deep breath and opened the email. Dear Mrs. Green, Ms. Ayla Vance has learned that you acquired The Broken Iris and commends your taste. Our meeting has been moved up to 9 AM tomorrow at Ms. Vance’s private studio. You may bring one companion. Furthermore, Ms. Vance specifically mentioned that she is looking forward to meeting the “designer with a soul” recommended by Mr. Ryan.
Evelyn gripped the phone tightly. Recommended by Mr. Ryan. While she was worrying about how to get a meeting with Ayla Vance, Ryan had already paved the entire road for her.
He hadn't just given her the key to the door; he had personally given her an endorsement. Evelyn turned to the dark window, the image of Ryan’s knowing, teasing eyes filling her mind.
“Ryan…” she whispered the name. This time, the guardedness in her voice had lessened, replaced by a complicated mix of feelings.