Yvonne couldn’t help but wonder what was on Leroy’s mind. They were supposed to be enjoying the art exhibit together, yet his thoughts seemed far away. Was he thinking about someone else?
Leroy snapped out of his daze, realizing he had drifted off. “Sorry, Yvonne. I just remembered something,” he said, offering her a faint
Yvonne, ever cheerful, brushed it off with a light laugh. “It’s fine, Leroy. But whatever you were thinking about must’ve been pretty good smile,” she teased, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
Leroy hesitated for a moment. “bust, an old memory,” he explained, but a sharp voice interrupted him from behind.
“well, if it isn’t Dr. Olson. I didn’t expect to see you here,” Scarlett said as she walked up with Cedric by her side.
you couldn’t hide that
Leroy and Yvonne tumed to face them. Scarlett’s expression was guarded, while Cedric’s smag grin showed he was already gearing up to mock Leroy. “Let me guess,” Cedric began, giving Leroy an exaggerated once–over, “you’re here because your lunrw Scarlett would be. You probably figured you’d run into her at Phillip’sexhibit”
He leaned in slightly, his tone dripping with condescension. “I mean, it makes sense. You spent so many years looking after her. You must’ve memorized all her
Cedric’s words hung in the air, Instantly souring Leroy’s mood. The exhibit’s pleasant atmosphere disappeared.
Initially feeling a twinge of happiness at seeing Leroy, Scarlett glanced at him warily, her mind swirling with doubt after Cedric’s remark
Before Leroy could respond, Yvonne stepped in, her voice calm but firm “Actually, Limited Leroy here. I’ve always admired Phillip’s work and thought he’d enjoy
the exhibit too
She moved closer to Leroy, looping her arm through his. Her casual display of affection sent Scarlett a pang of jealousy
Why was Yvonne so comfortable around him? And why didn’t Leroy seem to mind?
“Ah, a date then.” Cedric said mockingly. “Lettle, we’re clearly interrupting. Let’s leave them to enjoy their time together.”
But before they walked away, Cedric pointed at a painting just behind Yvonne. “Lettie, Isn’t that the place you’ve always liked? Looks like Phillip decided to include it in the exhibit after all.”
Cedric strode toward the painting, leaving Scarlett standing still for a moment. Yvonne noticed the flicker of something in Scarlett’s eyes—a mixture of hurt and
Leroy, however, pulled Yvonne gently toward another part of the gallery. “Let’s keep moving. We haven’t seen everything yet,” he said Yvore followed, but the smile she had worn earlier was gone. A single question lingered in her heart
softly.
—was Leroy thinking about Scarlett just now?
Meanwhile, Scarlett stood in front of the painting, her thoughts in disarray. Seeing Leroy here, laughing and smiling with Yvonne, had unsettled her more than she Gued to admit.
*Lettie, are you feeling alright?” Cedric asked, noticing her distraction.
Scarlett shook her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the painting. “I’m fine,” she replied cuntly.
Cedric misinterpreted her praction, assuming she was upset about the painting itself.
“Leme, if this piece meard so much to you, why not make an offer for it? Phillip might be having some financial trouble, and he’d probably sell it for the right price,” Cedric suggested, lustone full of confidence. “After all, the Payne Group’s financial standing is better than ever.”
Scarlett gave him a sidelong glance, her expression unreadable.
“Some tunga can’t be bough with money, Cedric,” she said coolly. “Pullip announced a long time ago that he wouldn’t sell any of his works anymore.
H
She paused, her pare drifting back to Leroy and Yvonne in the distance. “But I suppose you wouldn’t low that, having been abroad all this time,” With that, she
“Let’s go,” die sold firmly.
The gallery, once a place had eagerly anticipated visiting, now felt su
suffocating After seeing Leroy again, everything else had lost its appeal.
