Chapter 87: The Uninvited Guest
The next morning at nine o'clock, a black car pulled up to a private estate in Long Island's affluent neighborhood. Evelyn stepped out, carefully holding a tube containing the artwork. Despite her preparations, she was still nervous about facing Ayla.
“Don’t be nervous,” Sophie said, locking the car and straightening Evelyn's collar. “Ayla only cares about talent.”
Evelyn took a deep breath and nodded. The estate's butler was waiting at the door and escorted them to the second-floor studio. The room was vast, covered in paintings, smelling of oil paint and turpentine. A woman in a long dress stood with her back to them, dabbing paint onto a canvas. It was Ayla Vance.
“Ms. Vance,” Evelyn said, her voice steady. “I am Evelyn Green, and this is my friend Sophie.”
Ayla stopped painting and turned. Her eyes were sharp, scrutinizing Evelyn, then Sophie, and finally resting on the drawing tube. “Someone told me you would bring what I want,” Ayla said, wiping her hands as she approached. “I hope you don’t disappoint me. I skipped an auction just to see you.”
Evelyn skipped the pleasantries. She opened the tube, put on gloves, and carefully unrolled The Broken Iris before Ayla. As the canvas unrolled, Ayla’s expression changed. Her earlier detachment vanished, replaced by an intense passion. She hurried forward, almost reaching out to touch the painting before stopping herself.
“This brushwork… this vitality…” Ayla murmured, her gaze fixed on the iris. “This is true art, not the junk on the market.”
Sophie added, “The artist created this piece during a low point, which aligns perfectly with your concept of ‘Broken Aesthetics.’ Evelyn went to great lengths to acquire it.”
“You understand me well,” Ayla said, smiling at Evelyn. “It seems that person didn’t lie to me. You have an eye for art and you understand the piece. We clearly have a lot to talk about.”
The atmosphere warmed. The butler served coffee, and Ayla invited Evelyn to sit, immediately launching into a discussion of the painting's composition and color. Evelyn, drawing on her professional background, answered flawlessly, matching every one of Ayla’s preferences.
Just as Evelyn felt the collaboration was secured, the studio door burst open.
BANG! The harmony was shattered. “Stop! Ms. Ayla, you can’t sign a contract with her!” a shrill voice cried out as Sienna stormed in.
Sienna was overdressed, dripping in diamonds and gold bangles that clanged as she walked. The butler tried to intervene. “Ma’am, Ms. Vance is in a meeting, you cannot—”
“Get out of my way!” Sienna pushed the butler aside and slapped a file down on the table near the easel. She jutted out her chin, glared at Evelyn, then addressed Ayla. “Ms. Vance, I am the representative of the Omni Group, Sienna. This is the authorization signed by CEO Damian Green. Only I am qualified to negotiate this deal.”
“As for Evelyn, she's just a housewife who knows nothing about business or fashion. She’s here to crash the party,” she said, pointing at Evelyn with contempt. “Some people can’t stay home and do their housework. Dressed so cheaply, she’s lowering the tone of your estate, Ms. Vance.”
Evelyn was in a simple, chic beige suit with only an iris necklace, devoid of any other jewelry. Compared to Sienna’s gaudy outfit, Evelyn's look was “cheap,” yet sophisticated. Ayla Vance said nothing, narrowing her eyes and frowning at Sienna’s jewelry.
Sienna, assuming Ayla was impressed, grew more confident. She reached for the painting. “And this painting is likely stolen, isn’t it? How could Evelyn afford something like this? She must be squandering Damian’s money…”
“Don’t touch the painting!” Evelyn stood up, shielding the canvas. Before Sienna’s hand reached the artwork, a bodyguard nearby grabbed her wrist.
“Ah! What are you doing! Let go!” Sienna shrieked. “I’m the representative of the Omni Group! How dare you touch me?”
“This is my estate,” Ayla Vance finally spoke, her voice ice-cold. Ignoring Sienna, she instructed the butler, “Charles, please fetch fresh coffee for Mrs. Evelyn and Miss Sophie.”
The butler bowed. “Yes, Ms. Vance.”
Sienna was stunned. Rubbing her wrist, she looked at Ayla. “Ms. Vance, you must be mistaken! I am the person Damian authorized! I have the document! Evelyn is nothing!”
“Document?” Ayla picked up the authorization form, tossed it straight into the wastebasket without looking at it. “I never work with people who lack courtesy and understanding of art. Your jewels don’t hide your tacky taste. Your presence is polluting my studio.”
“You…” Sienna’s face turned scarlet. She hadn’t expected Ayla to be so dismissive of Damian.
“Get out of my studio.” Ayla didn't even look at Sienna. “I don't care who Damian authorized. Without my approval, you wait outside.” Ayla then ordered the butler, “Open the windows and air this room out. That perfume is noxious.”
Sienna trembled with rage, glaring at Evelyn with venom. She wanted to lash out but held back, seeing the butler and bodyguards around. “Fine… fine!” Sienna hissed. “Evelyn, don’t get too comfortable!” She spun around and left, nearly tripping on her way out.
Silence returned to the studio. Evelyn watched Sienna’s retreating back, her shoulders finally relaxing. She turned to Ayla. “Thank you, Ms. Vance.”
“Don’t thank me,” Ayla said, a genuine smile replacing her coldness. “I simply despise fools.”
The hot coffee arrived, and its aroma filled the air. Just as Evelyn raised her cup to finalize the deal, the chandelier above flickered.
Zzzzt— A crackle of electricity, and the lights in the entire estate went dark. Sophie gasped at the sudden blackness. Outside, it was a rainy day, making the room instantly dim and shadowy.