Chapter 26 Autumn
Rachel pressed her lips together, her eyes growing cold and indifferent.
'Fine, let it be sold. Maybe it's for the best.' She thought.
Once she reclaimed the villa in Scenic Bay Estates and got back the $300,000 she lent, what kind of situation and feelings would Nancy have then? Flat broke? Destitute?
Rachel looked forward to it.
After resting at home for two days, Steven stayed by her side the entire time, cooking for her, washing her hair, and drying it with care and tenderness. Even Quinn couldn't help but praise him multiple times.
Steven had always been attentive to her, never once neglecting her over the years. From dating to marriage, he had always made her feel secure. His love might have been real, but so was his betrayal and infidelity. So Rachel couldn't quite figure him out. She truly understood what it meant when people said that sincerity is a fleeting thing. No one can truly grasp it.
It wasn't until her health really improved, and the doctor said there were no issues, that Rachel finally went back to work.
Autumn's solo exhibition was fully decorated, with a total of 108 paintings on display. Many small paintings had already been placed, but the main paintings for the four exhibition areas were decided but not yet installed. And there was only a week left until the exhibition day.
Fortunately, on the last day of October, Autumn returned to the country. Rachel went to the airport to pick her up. Even though it was almost winter, Autumn, pushing a luggage cart, was dressed very lightly and simply, wearing a green shirt, a black wool coat, and a knee-length leather skirt. Her striking beauty and intense eyes, combined with her powerful and imposing presence, made people around her instinctively keep their distance.
In contrast, Rachel's sharp features also had a certain intensity, but her clear and gentle eyes softened it, making her seem more approachable and easygoing.
Rachel waved with a smile, "Autumn!"
Autumn pushed the luggage cart over and smiled warmly, "Rach, long time no see."
Autumn followed Rachel's brother's lead and called her "Rach." The last time they met was at her mother Joan Parker's funeral last year, when Autumn rushed back from abroad to pay her respects.
"Why do you look worse after a year? Have you lost weight?" Autumn frowned slightly, looking her up and down.
Seeing Autumn made Rachel feel a sense of warmth and closeness. It made her want to pour her heart out to Autumn about Benjamin's affair. But she couldn't bring herself to say anything. Autumn's first solo exhibition in the country was on the 6th, and she couldn't let her own issues affect Autumn's mood.
"Maybe I caught a cold a few days ago."
Autumn noticed her slightly red eyes and understood that Rachel had something on her mind, but since Rachel didn't want to talk about it now, she didn't press her, just frowned deeper and gently touched Rachel's thinner cheek.
"Professor Parker would be heartbroken to see you like this. There's no flesh on your face."
Rachel smiled, "I'll slowly gain it back. Let's go eat."
"What do you want to eat?"
"Meat?"
Autumn raised an eyebrow, "Alright, let's go eat meat."
They chose a restaurant and chatted while eating. Rachel asked, "Autumn, how long are you planning to stay in Dawnlight City this time?"
"Until after the New Year," Autumn said.
"Really? That's great."
"It's been years since I last spent New Year's here."
"Are you staying at the Davis Villa?"
Autumn shook her head, "No, I had a cleaning company tidy up my place before I came back, so I can stay there."
Rachel fell silent, understanding what she meant, and nodded with a smile, "Alright."
After eating, Rachel suggested that Autumn rest after such a long flight, but Autumn insisted on going to Stargaze Gallery first to check the venue setup and select the main paintings.
When Autumn arrived, the staff at Stargaze Gallery greeted her at the entrance. Nancy, overly enthusiastic, linked arms with her. "Autumn, welcome back! You're still as stunning as ever."
Autumn frowned slightly and nodded coolly. "Long time no see."
She quickly pulled her arm away.
Autumn was known for her cold demeanor and was often seen as aloof, but she was warm and friendly to those she was close to. She only knew Nancy because of Rachel, and they had only met a handful of times, definitely not enough to warrant such familiarity. Moreover, Autumn was naturally proud and didn't like too much physical contact with others.
Nancy's hand awkwardly hung in the air, her face blushing. She hadn't expected Autumn to be so dismissive. She looked to Rachel for help, but Rachel didn't even glance at her and instead spoke to the exhibition department head, "Wayne, show Autumn around the exhibition areas we've set up."
"Sure. Ms. Stone, please follow me."
Wayne had been with Stargaze Gallery since Joan founded it. Since Stargaze Gallery didn't have a deputy director position, Wayne held the highest position next to the director. After Rachel took over Stargaze Gallery, he helped her manage the gallery's affairs more efficiently.
The group went inside, leaving Nancy standing awkwardly alone. She bit her lip hard, glaring at Rachel and Autumn's backs.
What was the big deal? What was so great about them?
She pulled out her phone and texted Steven: [Honey, I feel so wronged. I need a hug and a kiss.]
The gallery was divided into four exhibition areas: A, B, C, and D, covering a total area of 1.5 acres. The entrance featured a large geometric crystal ornament, which displayed beautiful artworks when it rotated. To the right was a glass elevator, and behind it were four large exhibition halls. The second and third floors housed the collection rooms, offices, and meeting rooms.
The design and decoration of the exhibition areas were based on Autumn's requirements and were implemented after her final approval. After touring the four exhibition areas, Autumn was quite satisfied. She made a few suggestions about the lighting and then told Rachel, "The main paintings will arrive by courier tomorrow. You can send someone to pick them up from my place in the afternoon."
One of the main paintings had won first prize at an international art exhibition earlier that year and had even been offered a million euros by a collector, but Autumn had turned it down.
Rachel nodded and looked at the head of the maintenance department, "Lisa, you go with a team tomorrow. I'll send you the address later."
Lisa nodded, "Got it."
Autumn stayed at the gallery until four in the afternoon before heading home. Rachel lent her car for Autumn to use.
Steven suggested they have dinner, but Autumn was tired and postponed it to the next day. Steven had no choice but to agree. In the evening, he drove to Stargaze Gallery to pick up Rachel, asking gently, "How are you feeling today? Any discomfort?"
Rachel shook her head lightly. "I'm fine, fully recovered. I'm not fragile, you know."
"How can I not worry? The doctor said you need to avoid stress."
"Alright."
"Do you want to eat at home or out tonight?"
"Either is fine."
"Let's eat out then. There's a restaurant on Amber Avenue with great barbecue ribs. You'll like it."
"Okay."
Amber Avenue wasn't far from Stargaze Gallery, and it wasn't rush hour, so they arrived in ten minutes. In the restaurant, Steven suggested, "Let's sit by the window. You can enjoy the night view, and there's a light show at 8:30."
Rachel smiled and asked, "Have you been here before?"
Steven replied calmly, "Yeah, I had a business dinner here last night. The client booked a private room."
"Alright."
Rachel nodded lightly and took a sip of water. A text message came in: [Steven and Nancy had dinner here the night before last and last night, sitting by the window.]