Chapter 155 A Painting
Ideen struggled with an avondant personality, using avoidance as a coping mechanism in the face of emotional turmoil to alleviate her anxiety During moments of pain and discomfor she sought solace m solitude, finding prace with the tranquility of her heart or even relying on forgetfulness for relief
She also desired to confront her issues, but fear held her back Both the environment and the atmosphere surrounding her could trigger psychological unease
Thus, she preferred solitude. Even when Jasper attempted to approach her, coaxing her to step out of her comfort zone, she just couldn’t bring herself to do it.
In the Smith residence, aside from mealtimes, Eileen spent most of her time alone in her room, engrossed in her hobbies,
Whether it was drawing, studying, or listening to music, she enjoyed being alone and avoided. interacting with anyone.
In Primas Plaza, Quinton brought Eileen a cake from Bamboo Palace. “Take a break and have something to eat.”
Setting aside the golf club, Eileen took a few sips of water and accepted the cake from his hand. “Thank you.”
“I’ve noticed you’ve been a bit off all morning. Have something sweet. It might cheer you up a bit. Quinton suggested.
Eileen gave a slight smile. “How did you figure it out?”
Quinton picked up the thermal mug next to him and took a sip. “It’s not hard for me to tell when it comes to you. When bad things happen to some people, their emotions will show on their faces. Most of the time, they will vent their dissatisfaction through physical activities.”
“Perhaps I have been too stressed out by my studies and extracurricular cla*ses lately that I don’t have time to myself to do what I enjoy doing,” Eileen explained.
Quinton crossed his left leg over his right, resting his folded hands on his knee, nodding in agreement. “Hmm, indeed. Stress can be rough. But don’t you find anything you’re doing enjoyable?”
Eileen thought for a while and said, “There’s nothing I particularly enjoy. My father never allows me to do anything I like.”
“Do you like drawing? I have a painting here, Would you like to take a look?”
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Etuinton lifted lax wrist to dik, his watch and realized the cla*s was over. Come with t
Quinton guided her to his private other on the per floor, leading her into a rest area A pating, about three meters in length was concealed beneath a black cloth Quinton moved toward to unved the artwork saying. Don’t mad the mess in the room”
Not at all In reality his room was impeccably dean, almost untouched, as if it hadn’t been phaboned for a long time
Qumion revealed the enormous painting. The moment Eileen saw it, she was utterly astounded by the masterpiece before her. This this is Night of Stars by Ira Gogh? But I thought it was lost to the world?”
Ira Gogh stood as one of the ten most influential painters in the world. Throughout her lifetime, she created only five paintings, each possessing the ability to captivate the world. Despite her artistic brilliance, she never made public appearances, and the only fact the public knew about her was that she was only twenty-six. Unfortunately, after completing her final masterpiece, “Night of Stars,” she vanished without a trace.
In the decades to come, she never produced another artwork.
Rumors circulated widely, suggesting that she had already pa*sed away.
However, no one was aware of the actual truth.
“An old friend gave this to me. I’m unsure if it’s genuine or a replica. Could you examine it for me?” Quinton asked.
A surge of indescribable excitement and joy welled up in Eileen’s heart. “May I take a longer look?”
“Of course. Go ahead.”
Eileen gently caressed the gla*s picture frame, her eyes reflecting the painting that could be described as unparalleled in the world. Whether it was the colors or the imagery, it seemed as real as life itself, as if one could get lost in it.
Eileen had encountered Ira Gogh’s work only once before; this was the second time.
Half an hour later, she concluded that it was indeed the authentic piece.
“It’s the real deal.”
“Are you sure?”
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selams and unlead Lab 7ally has her amic for once
“Looks be But
Landsiske my trick didn’t he to me ther all at how do you know this is the real deal
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Filen shook her Lead Im not cutirely sure the painting feels somewhat familiari me However, Lancay with retains thor is able to eat ཟླ་(| ན་། iAA:i་དམ་སྟེ།
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So that’s how Is Quot sand with a soft laugh If your say it true then Thelieve you
།ར་ནོ་
seems that the person who gave you this painting must owe you his life (wherwise anyone who knows the value of this painting wouldn’t give it away so easily Id feel ashamed
ས།།་། ། toarvept what isn’t rightfully mine. If I take it, I owe someone a favor. And sooner or later this favor must be repaid
“Indeed, you re right”
“So it is a life-saving favor, right”
Quinton laughed softly, shaking his head. “All right, that’s enough talking. Let’s go get something to eat. I haven’t been back for a while and I heard there are quite a few new dishes. Shall we try them together?”
“Okay,” Eileen replied.
Eileen didn’t feel distant from Quinton. Perhaps it was because they had known each other for many years. She started learning at the age of thirteen and had been acquainted with him. for five years. Throughout this time, Quinton consistently maintained a comfortable. distance, never crossing any boundaries. Sometimes when she was in a bad mood, he would try to cheer her up in a manner that felt neither abrupt nor intrusive, just like how he shared the painting with her today.
The fact that she loved to draw was actually something he had known for quite some time.
The two of them took the elevator to the restaurant and settled into the same familiar old
spot.
The place was bustling with activity as quite a few diners came to dine at this hour.
Those frequenting the establishment were either affluent or of noble standing.
Primas Plaza wasn’t a place where just anyone could stroll in casually.
After placing their order, Eileen excused herself to visit the restroom.
In the dimly lit corridor outside the private room, she unexpectedly ran into Gavin. As soon
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as echt eyes thet leen parkly looked away she had no idea at te would also be at
Eileen waited for a moment, then promptly left the restroom without even using it
Quinton, Emm sorry Something unexpected came up and I need to leave I wont be able to
Tim to your for dumer this time
Quinton nodded. “Do you need me to take you home
No its not necessary The driver is waiting outsble 1 pust go I’m truly sorry”
No worries There’s no need to apologize Just be careful on your way home”
“Okay”
If she had known Eric was here, she definitely wouldn’t have come.
Eileen should consider herself lucky, as Eric had been too busy with company matters lately to bother her.
Just as she was about to step into the elevator to leave, her hand was suddenly grabbed by a
force. A strong smell of alcohol then surrounded her.
strong
In the quiet escape corridor, Eileen was pressed against the wall, with the man behind her in close proximity. His hands rested on her waist, lifting her clothes and reaching inside, firmly grabbing her breasts.
Eileen grabbed the man’s restless hand, lowering her voice. “What are you trying to do? Someone will see us.”
His warm breath, mixed with alcohol, brushed against her neck, sending a tingling sensation. through her nerves. Eric’s tall figure loomed over her, completely enveloping her. He spoke with a captivating voice above her head. “If Gavin hadn’t informed me, were you planning to run away from me?”
He lightly pinched her as a punishment, and her breathing became ragged and labored. “S- Stop it! That’s enough!”
