Chapter 6
The stage was set with the tools of oil painting–brushes arrayed precisely beside oil paints, fresh canvas waiting to receive inspiration.
A polished young MC stepped into the spotlight, his professional smile gleaming. “Distinguished guests, welcome to tonight’s auction.” His voice carried the practiced warmth of someone who’d opened a thousand such events.
“We’re especially honored to host the internationally acclaimed Ms. Berthe Morisot, who has pledged tonight’s proceeds to benefit children in impoverished communities…
Just mentioning the name sent a ripple through the previously linguid crowd. “Finally!” someone whispered. “We’ll see Ms. Morisot’s true face!
“Ladies and gentlemen–Ms. Morisot the MC introduced.
The audience surged forward as the curtains parted. A diminutive figure emerged, wrapped in a black dress and–to- everyone’s shock–a face veil.
The crowd burst into a wave of murmurs.
“What’s going on? Where’s Ms. Morisot?”
“That’s a girl!”
How do you know that? Could be an old woman under that veil-
“Please. Look at those hands. Young skin doesn’t lie.”
“They’re trying to pass off some kid as Ms. Morisot? What kind of scam is this?”
“Get the organizer out here. Now,”
Humphrey turned to his father, amusement playing across his features. “Well, Dad? Feeling like you’ve been catfished?”
Darrell’s sharp gaze never left the stage. “The art speaks for itself he said flatly. “Whatever Berthe Morisot is–irrelevant. We’ll know the truth when she paints,”
“Classic Dad.” Humphrey’s attention drifted back to the veiled figure, his smile taking on a knowing edge. Something about her seemed oddly familiar. That’s… Nina? Interesting, he thought-
The MC, sweating now, approached the silent figure. He was just as surprised as everyone else to see that the legendary Ms. Morisot was a girl. But with the audience growing restless, he needed to act fast. “Ms. Morisot, perhaps a word to address these concerns?”
Nina beckoned him closer and whispered briefly in his ear. He straightened and cleared his throat, addressing the crowd. “Ms. Morisot suggests you reserve judgment until the demonstration is complete.”
But the audience wasn’t having it.
“Obvious fake!”
“Some kid, producing masterpieces? Please.”
“This is embarrassing for everyone involved. Get her off the stage.”
Chapter 6
“You’re just wasting my time, I’m leaving
Guests began standing, gathering their coats. The MC shot a parked look at the silent figure, who was murmuring something to a wide–eyed staff member.
Then she did something completely unexpected. She selected a massive canvas and began securing it to a specially constructed wooden platform on the floor with canvas pins.
Fresh speculation erupted.
“She can’t seriously paint such a huge piece.”
“Two and a half hours? Impossible.”
“That’s premium–grade canvas she’s using.”
“More smoke and mirrors.”“”
“What if she actually pulls this off?”
“No way.”
As the crowd debated whether this too–young Ms. Morisot could possibly finish in time, the staff member came rushing back, flustered and out of breath.
In his arms was a live chicken, while a bag of corn kernels swung from his other hand as he hurried to Nina’s side. A palette of vibrant acrylics had been prepared nearby.
Every eye in the house locked onto the scene unfolding center stage.
The MC wanted to cry. ‘Minutes ago, they were all threatening to leave, and now they can’t take their eyes off her, he thought miserably. “What about all the other auction items, for heaven’s sake?‘
With a flourish, Nina scattered corn across the platform holding the canvas. The chicken thrashed in its handler’s grip, wild to get at the feast before it. In one fluid motion, she grabbed its neck, dipped its feet in different colored acrylics, and released it onto the canvas.
The audience watched in horrified disbelief. This girl was actually claiming this was art–just letting a chicken track acrylics across the expensive canvas and calling it done. She must think they were complete idiots.
The chicken strutted about, pecking at corn kernels, turning the pristine white canvas into a chaotic explosion of colorful footprints, Nothing about this chaos of purple, blue, and yellow tracks resembled an actual painting.
The audience had reached their breaking point.
“This is an auction house, not a petting zoo!”
“We came for art, not poultry!”
“Do they think we’re idiots?”
“Where’s Mr. Nelson? We need an explanation!”
Angry shouts echoed through the venue as the situation spiraled beyond the staff’s control. “Mr. Nelson, we’re losing them!” a staff member pleaded with their nearly comatose boss hiding backstage. “Is Ms. Morisot actually going to pull this off?”
Paul’s face paled. More than a decade of carefully cultivated reputation was about to be ruined tonight.
Through it all. Humphrey couldn’t take his eyes off the veiled figure. “Dad? Care to theorize about what she’s really doing?”
Chapter 6
Darrell said nothing for a long moment, his attention laser–focu
“Hm Humphrey turned back to the stage
