Chapter 74

Explaining that she'd only been helping Tristan getting rid of unwanted admirer felt unnecessary, so Eliana put on a mock frown instead. "Were you actually looking for me earlier? Because from where I stood,it looked,like you were far too busy admiring the paintings here."

Carl's trusting nature made him falter immediately under her words.

Rubbing the back of his head, he blurted out, "I swear,I was searching for you the whole time! I just happened to pass by that piece, and it caught my eye.I stopped for a moment-just a few seconds-to appreciate it. Then I was going to keep looking for you."

Noticing the genuine worry in his face, Eliana's lips curved into a reassuring smile. "I'm teasing you. I'm not upset. But now you've got me curious-what sort of painting could hold your attention like that?"

The tension left Carl's shoulders as he explained, "It's the work of an artist I really admire."

Intrigued, Eliana leaned slightly to glance past him. One look was all it took to recognize the piece-her own creation, "Rubble Corner".

She remembered clearly how someone had once reached out to the Onyx Syndicate to commission a painting from Riley.

The price had been too good to ignore, so she had accepted and painted this herself.

Never had she imagined it would end up displayed here.

A thought slipped in uninvited-could Tristan have been the one who placed that order? He had once said he liked her art. Maybe that hadn't been flattery at all.

Realizing she was letting her thoughts drift toward Tristan again,she pulled herself back sharply.

After all, he was already involved with someone, and she had nothing but disdain for that woman.

Becoming part of that equation was something she would never allow.

Shaking off the thought entirely, Eliana turned back to Carl. "If you're that fond of it, I'll give you a Riley painting of your own." Carl was taken aback. "You own his work? Those are worth a fortune! How in the world did you get one?"

Tricking Carl never required much effort, so Eliana spun a story without hesitation. "Riley once visited my village for inspiration, and I practically begged for a personal piece."

His eyes went wide. "Wait-Riley actually agreed?"

"Of course, she's talented, generous and stunning."Eliana nodded.

"Stunning? And you said 'she'? Hold on, I thought Riley was some old man!" Carl exclaimed.

"Old man? No. She's a gorgeous young woman,"Eliana replied smoothly.

"You're serious? She's a young man?" Carl drew in a sharp breath, then leaned closer. "Does she have a boyfriend? Think I might have a shot?"

The question made Eliana inwardly wince.She should have told him that she was Riley.

She regretted lying to Carl now, as covering it up was just too troublesome.

Eliana could only vaguely reply, "Don't even think about it, Carl. She's already engaged." His face fell for a moment before lighting up again."Well, either way, thanks, Lia. Once you've got that painting,you must give it to me! Or I can buy it-either works."

Eliana waved the offer away. "Forget about paying me.I'm no art collector, so I'll just hand it over."

"Thanks!" Carl's grin spread from ear to ear.

"There's nothing to thank me for. Didn't you give me a whole factory?" Eliana reminded him with a faint smile.

"That's different. Taking care of you is what I should be doing. I am your brother, after all," Carl said with quiet conviction.

Her lips curved further, a quiet warmth blooming in her chest.

Moments like this reminded her exactly how different the Murray family was from Janessa.

In Janessa's eyes, nothing Eliana did-no matter the effort or sacrifice-was ever considered a gift. It was simply what she owed.

If Janessa demanded Eliana's very life, she was expected to hand it over without protest. The Murray family could not have been more different.

If Eliana ever asked for their lves, she knew they would give them freely.

Holding onto that thought, she softened her voice."We're family. There's no need for formal words-that would only make us strangers. But I do have something I need your help with right now."

"What is it? Just tell me, I'll handle it!" Carl replied without missing a beat, his eagerness plain.

She leaned closer, motioning for him to comenearer,and murmured her request in his ear.

Her plan was for him to take part in the day's oil painting competition.

Without the slightest pause, Carl nodded."Consider it done! If you want first place, I'll win it for you!"

He had never once shown his work to the public, but if Eliana asked, there was nothing he wouldn't do-not even step into a competition.

The host's voice rang out across the exhibition hall."The charity auction is about to begin. Guests, please proceed to the conference hall." Eliana shook her head lightly and said, "We're not going there, Carl. I'll take you to meet the curator so you can register for the competition."

"Alright," Carl agreed without hesitation.

HHe would go anywhere she led him.

At that same time, Leyla stepped out from the private room Hector had arranged for her and began making her way toward the conference hall.

Halfway there,she crossed paths with Jeffry,who had come at Hector's request.

Jeffry had been questioning Hector about the urgent matter that required him to rush over.

The moment his eyes landed on Leyla, his face darkened like a storm rolling in.

Hisglare was sharp enough to cut. "Tell me, Hector-did you drag me here just so I could see her? Did you conveniently forget everything I told you over the phone?"

"I wouldn't dare..." Hector replied quickly, trying to keep his tone steady.

"Hmph! Wouldn't dare? Sounds to me like you've grown far too bold!" Jeffry snapped,his temper flaring as he turned to leave.

Hector stepped forward to block him. "Dad,wait-please don't go. Let me explain what actually happened."

Not wanting to risk being cut off,he launched into a quick recounting of the day's events.

The moment he mentioned Davin taking Leyla on as a student, Jeffry's expression froze for a fraction of a second.

"Mr. Gordon agreed to mentor her? Are you telling the truth, or are you feeding me a lie?" Jeffry demanded.

"For something like this, even if I wanted to lie, it wouldn't hold up for long," Hector said firmly."Besides, he is here today-you can ask him yourself."

Some of the tension drained from Jeffry's face.

Seeing that,Hector continued, "She didn't come with me today. Mr. Gordon brought her himself and recommended her for the oil painting competition."

Jeffry lifted his brows slightly, a silent signal for himn to go on.

"The winner," Hector explained, "won't just get a hefty cash prize. They'll also become the chief designer for the new product logo for the Pearson Group's Qidence branch. Leyla says she's confident she'll take the top spot."

The scowl melted from Jeffry's face, replaced by something far more neutral.

If this turned out to be true, he figured Leyla might not be as worthless as he'd assumed.

Securing the chief designer position would mean the Clarke family could strengthen its relationship with the Pearsons without much effort.

With that thought in mind, his gaze drifted to Leyla,standing a short distance away. At last, he motioned her forward. "Get over here."

Summoning her composure, Leyla stepped closer and greeted him politely. "Hi, Mr. Clarke..."

Jeffry gave a brief nod before asking, "Hector tells me you're confident you can win the championship.Is that so?"-

"Yes. I'll put everything I have into it," Leyla answered without hesitation.

Jeffry raised an eyebrow. "Then I'll give you the opportunity to prove it."

Leyla's chest tightened with excitement. "I appreciate it! I promise I'll take the championship!" Jeffry remained silent after that.

In his mind, victory would have to be earned-it wasn't something that could be guaranteed with empty promises.

Elsewhere, word reached Tristan that Jeffry had arrived.

He ordered Rocco to escort Jeffry to a front-row seat in the conference hall.

It wasn't a personal greeting, but it was still a gesture of considerable respect.

After all, the only person Tristan had chosen to greet in person that day was Eliana.