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Chapter 37
Chapter 37
Witholivia’s constant prodding, Letoy finally lett the luse.
At the agreed–uponcate, he glanced at his phone. Aside from a test from Zor wishing him a good day, Here were no other messages. A way smile tagged as the events of the previous day lingered in his mind.
“Leroy, have you been walling long?” Yvonne’s cheerful voice broke through his thoughts.
He looked up as she approached, her expression bright and full of warmth. Today, she wasın
to herumal youthful charm..
“I figured since we’re going to an art exhibit, I should dress appropiately,” she said with a playful prin
“How do I look, Leroy? Does this suit me?”
Leroy smiled faintly, giving her a small nod of approval.
Yvonne’s face lit up at his response, and she seemed even mour enthusiastic, “Great Let’s head unt. I heard our of fin featured pieces is from a renowned artist,” she said, linking her arm with his as they left the caté.
While Yvonne’s excitement bubbled over, Leroy remained more sububied. His culosity, however, was piqued as they arrived at the gallery.
A large hanner outside showcased the exhibit, and Lemny paused briefly, a flicker of surprise crossing lils face,
“Leroy? What’s wrong? Come on, we don’t want to miss it!” Yvonne unged, pulling him along, oblivious to the shift in his expression.
“This exhibit features pieces by Hullip Yaughin,” she explained animatedly, “He’s seventy now, as his work is so sought after. I’ve heard top executives would do anything to get their hands on one of his paintings.”
As Yvonne chattered away, Leroy simply smiled, choosing to remain silent.
He couldn’t help but think of Scarlett. She owned one of Phillip’s works—a piece she had gone to great lengthis to actpiire
It had been during those three years he spent taking care of her, and it was the one and only time he had seen her sanile so genuinely. The memory surfaced unbidden, and for a moment, Leroy’s lips curved into a soft, bittersweet sindle.
“Leroy, what are you thinking about?” Yvonne’s voice pulled him back to the
present.
Startled, he shook his head. “Nothing, just thinking about the past,” he said, brushing it all. “From what you’ve said, Phillip sounds like quite the legend. ” Yvonne nodded enthusiastically: “Oh, he is. Most of the city’s business elites are on walling lists for his work. His pieces are iconic.”
She stopped in front of a large painting displayed prominently on the wall. Her eyes widened with awe.
“This one,” she said, pointing to it, “is my favorite. Heard someone once offered anlase amount of money for it, but Phillip refused to sell it holds special meaning for ham TM
She sighed wistfully. “Not that I could even afford to dream about something like that. I probably couldn’t even scrape together a fraction of what it’s worth.” Leroy stood quietly beside her, his gaze fixed on the painting. His thoughts wondered back to the past again.
s this painting.” he murmured softly, his tone tinged with understanding.
Younger planced at lum curiously, but lar dider’t elaborate.
Leroy remembered that painting well it was the our Scarlett had obsessed over, she had been willing to pu
pay any pilor for it, no matter the cost,
It was during one of her most fuller times, and had just started taking rate of laer. Back then, her temper was sharp, her demeanor abrasive. The p that painting had constated her completely.
Thandully, the company’s board intervened and talked her out of malding an inational decision. Afterward, in Leroy cated for her, her tiery temper began to Hellow, slowly replaced by a calmnei, neure rational side.
The summery brought an unbidden smile to Lartoy’s lips, a flicker of wattutha andidst the Iditersweeties
Yvonne noticed but didn’t internat. She stood silently, observing làm, though a small pang of mease crept into her chest.
