Chapter 33
This made Melissa notorious as a spoiled woman in aristocratic circles, and very few dared to challenge her. Everyone who saw her made sure to steer clear.
Avery’s reputation wasn’t much different–she was also known for being a stubborn woman. Back when she and Clyde were together, Melissa couldn’t stand her and often whispered bad things about her into Clyde’s ear
Now, fate had thrown them together in the same place, and neither was happy about it
Melissa sneered “it’s my unlucky day, running into someone like you as soon as I stepped out”
Avery was about to retort when James, who had been silent until then, suddenly spoke up. His expression was full of fake surprise as he looked at the drawing in Melissa’s hands. Hey, what’s this? It looks like it’s been corrected a lot.”
Melissa, startled, quickly hid the paper behind her back.
Feigning shock, James continued, “Could it be yours, Ms. Smith?”
Melissa replied, “What nonsense are you talking about? Stop slandering me!”
“Ah, how could I forget?” James continued with a grin. “Ms. Smith, you’re a master at painting, a talented artist since childhood. There’s no way you could have drawn something
so miserable!!
He turned to look at the exhibition area. “Twonder which piece here was painted by you.”
Melissa’s face flushed with anger. She snapped, “You’re a cripple who’s thing off the Alston family. Who do you think you are, judging my art?
Avery stepped in with acold laugh. “Isn’t art supposed to be looked at? Are you so afraid of people seeing your work because it’s terrible?” Melissa’s face turned red with fury. She pointed at Avery but was unable to get a single word our
Avery didn’t back down. “But Thave to say, the pieces displayed here look pretty good Could it be that your drawing isn’t here, after all?
She paused for effect, as though a realization had struck her. “Oh, I get it. The one you were holding earlier was the one you drew, isn’t it?“! Whispers began to spread among the crowd.
“Ms. Smith doesn’t seem so calm now. Avery probably hit the nail on the head.”
“That’s why she got so upset earlier. It turns out she couldn’t even paint well. I thought she was some kind of genius.”
‘Shh! Quet down, or she’ll hear you, and we’ll be in trouble”
Hearing these comments, Melissa trembled with rage. But then, she suddenly broke into a laugh. With a mocking look, she turned to Avery
“Painting is just a hobby for me. Even if my skills aren’t great, it’s no big deal. But you” she paused for effect. “No matter how good you are, you’re still the one who got dumped by Clyde”
“Melissa, don’t push it! James shot her a deadly glare, as if he wanted to burn a hole through her. “Stop spreading lies. Avery was the one who publicly ended her engagement with Clyde at the wedding in front of all the guests. How did that turn into her being dumped?”
“And my uncle only agreed to the annulment because she slept with him.”
“You!” James was seething, his body trembling with anger.
Avery gave him a look to calm him down and then turned to Melissa with a smile.
“Ms. Smith, you should be more careful with your words. After all, if your uncle found alongside Clyde”
‘re spreading rumors about him behind his back, you might end up being punished
