Chapter 120

Lainey's composure slipped the moment she witnessed Nolan's display.

Unbelievable.

Had Nolan really chosen to humiliate her in front of everyone?

It was one thing to be ignored, but for him to openly show affection for someone else?

He ought to realize she was the only one fit to stand at his side.

And as for Eleanor, she was certain that the woman had done it all on purpose.

That bitch had baited Nolan into making a scene just to put her down.

If that was how they wanted to play, then she had no intention of playing nice! Lainey's eyes hardened, and she made a subtle signal toward the shadows near the gallery's edge.

Almost immediately, a clear male voice echoed through the hall. "Welcome, distinguished guests.I'm Emmett Mendez, your host for today's art event. As a token of gratitude for your presence, the organizers have arranged a small game.

After pausing for a moment, he continued, "Very soon, we'll randomly pick one attendee to interpret a painting of their choice. Should their explanation impress everyone, the guest will get to bring the artwork home-yes, an original worth millions,absolutely free. Of course, there's no penalty if your answer misses the mark. This is all for good fun."

As Emmett finished outlining the rules, an uneasy feeling crept over Eleanor.

Her fears proved right.

A spotlight swept the room and landed directly on her. There was no doubt in her mind.

Lainey was behind this setup.

With practiced sweetness, Lainey congratulated her."Eleanor, you're certainly in luck! Any one of these paintings would be worth a fortune."

Beneath her pleasant tone, she thought, "Let's see you worm your way out of this one,you bitch."

She was dead set on watching Eleanor fall flat on her face tonight, right in front of everyone!

Right then, Emmett soon approached, extending a hand and gesturing toward a specific canvas. "Miss Warren, this way, please."

All eyes turned, and a collective gasp swept the room.

The painting he indicated was pure abstraction.

Splashes of wild color and jagged lines dominated the canvas, and anyone could mistake it for a child's scribble, leaving no clue about the artist's original intent.

To make matters worse, it was the exhibition's most debated work.

Endless theories had been offered, but no explanation was ever confirmed.

Word was, only the artist knew the real story.

No matter what Eleanor said, there was simply no way to land on the correct answer.

Lainey's trap was perfectly set.

If ever there was a moment for Enigma to stumble, it was now.

Yet Nolan broke the tension in an unexpected way.He leaned down, his voice soft as he looked at Eleanor."Ready to leave?"

Though he phrased it as if she had a choice, there was no room for negotiation in his tone.

Eleanor was his girl. She didn't have to play along with their petty games.

He had her back.

To Nolan's surprise, Eleanor shook her head.

A faint smile played on her lips as she replied with a laid-back, almost teasing rhythm, "That's all right.I actually know exactly what this painting means."

Lainey could barely keep from laughing out loud.

She thought Eleanor was afool,always desperate to keep up appearances, even if it meant embarrassing herself.

Even now, this bitch was boasting?

If the top critics in the field were left scratching their heads, what could an outsider like Eleanor possibly claim to know?

Folding her arms and lifting her chin with a superior air, Lainey sneered, "There's no need to act tough.Just admit you don't know, and people will understand. But if you pretend otherwise, you'll just end up being a laughingstock."

Eleanor looked up, meeting her gaze with a hint of lazy amusement. "Really? Then maybe you'd like to enlighten us. I'd love to hear your interpretation."

The question wiped the smugness right off Lainey's face.

She didn't have any ideal.

If she could interpret the painting, she would have been on that stage herself instead of springing this trap on Eleanor.

This bitch actually had the nerve to flip the whole setup on her!

Unwilling to let herself be cornered, Lainey stiffened and snapped back, "You're the one who was picked,not me."