The Million-Dollar Heart Novel Episode
Chapter 348

Suddenly, a voice rose above the chatter in the crowded gallery.

"Who's the artist behind this masterpiece? Is there staff around?"

In no time, a gallery associate made his way over, "Good day, sir. Can I assist you in any way?"

"I want to commission the artist of this painting to create a portrait for my mother's 70th birthday celebration."

The associate gave him an apologetic look, "I'm afraid that won't be possible, sir. The art is done by our gallery owner. He doesn't take on private commissions."

As the associate's words hung in the air, a visible shift in Vivienne's demeanor was apparent.

Jeffrey Ellington really had the audacity!

"Can you call your boss over here? I'd like to discuss this with him," the man insisted.

No sooner had the man finished speaking, Jeffrey himself appeared, "Who's looking for me?"

The man was clearly familiar with Jeffrey, "Isn't this Mr. Ellington? You own this gallery too?"

The Ellington family was a well-known entity in the circle.

The arrogant Paul, the motorcycle-obsessed Earl, Jeffrey, Fiona, and even the youngest Ellingtons, Kenneth and Isolde, were known to everyone.

Perhaps the only Ellington they knew little about was Percival, who was thought to be disabled.

"Of course," Jeffrey replied with a dismissive tone, "Just how many galleries in Rivenwood do you think aren't mine?"

The man didn't dare offend Jeffrey, and his posture slumped a bit involuntarily, "Right, right. I was wondering why this painting was so exceptional. It turned out that the painting was yours."

"As long as you appreciate it, that's all that matters. As for your mother's portrait, I'll have one of our staff artists take care of it. Consider it a token of my appreciation for your taste."

The man, publicly humiliated by Jeffrey, couldn't save his dignity. But all he could do was chuckle awkwardly and express his gratitude.

Jeffrey huffed, sweeping his gaze over the crowd until he spotted Percival and Vivienne at the back.

"Since we're all here at my exhibition, I'd like to introduce two special guests," a smirk tugged at his lips before he pointed towards Percival, "This is my cousin, Percival. I'm sure you all know him." The crowd turned to look at Percival and gasped in surprise.

"Isn't Percival supposed to be wheelchair-bound? How is he standing? Am I hallucinating?"

The news of Percival's recovery was only known to a few close families in Rivenwood. To the public, Percival was still believed to be disabled.

"No, you're not hallucinating. I saw him walk in too. He's standing right there."

"Good heavens! The Ellingtons must have some top-notch doctors in their network. They managed to cure a disabled man!"

"Having such a powerful doctor in their corner definitely solidifies the Ellingtons' status in Rivenwood."

While the crowd was still buzzing, Jeffrey gestured towards Vivienne, "And this is Vivienne, my cousin Percival's fiancée."

After the Brooks family hosted their family reunion party, the Ellington family was going to host another party to publicize Vivienne and Percival's engagement, but the party was pushed back when Richard was attacked after mistakenly riding in Percival's car.

And they hadn't nail down the exact time. Vivienne didn't let them do it. She was too busy to attend any parties.

News of Vivienne and Percival's engagement was still a well-guarded secret among their close circle. Thus, many at the exhibition were hearing it for the first time.

Although Eddy's two live streaming before let a large netizen group know their relationships, but those were from the younger generation. The people who came to the exhibition today were company board members; those people were older and rarely read gossip news. In that case, they never knew their relationship.

As the crowd turned their attention to Vivienne, expressions of shock spread across some of the faces.

"Isn't that Vivienne Brooks, the lady of the Brooks family?"

The Brooks family's reunion banquet for Vivienne had drawn the attention of everyone in their circle.

Scott admitted Karen as the only love of his life. That was why people admired their fairy-tale love story. And when they admitted Calista, the Brooks family shot into the spotlight.

So each member's life in the Brooks family was flipped through by the netizen group. Their stories were so hyped up that everyone in the circle had to pay them attention.

"Ah, that makes sense. I saw Percival and Vivienne together at the engagement party. So, the Ellingtons and the Brooks are uniting through marriage."

"With the top two families joining forces, it's a power couple in the making!"

"And Vivienne is quite a beauty. She's dressed so simply, yet she stands out like a painting come to life."

Hearing the crowd's praises, Jeffrey's face hardened. He wasn't here to listen to them fawn over Percival and Vivienne.

With Paul in the police station, there was no one to steal his thunder. It was his time to shine.

Jeffrey chuckled, "Percival, Vivienne, since you two are engaged, I haven't prepared a gift for you. Allow me to offer this painting as a token of my congratulations."

He gestured at the painting. "I'd like to invite Vivienne to share her thoughts on it."

All eyes turned to Vivienne. As the daughter of the Brooks family, commenting on a piece of art should be a simple task.

Vivienne glanced up at him, her imposing aura pulling back, her hands shoved into her pockets, her attitude a bit roguish, "This is plagiarized. How could you possibly have the nerve to ask me to critique it?" Everyone gasped in shock!

Plagiarism?

How could that be?

Until today, they had never seen any other artist exhibit this painting.

Jeffrey's eyes flashed with surprise, but he quickly regained his composure, "I was simply giving you a gift. If you disdain it, you could have just declined. Why do you have to throw such a heavy accusation at me? Do you realize how much of an insult plagiarism is to an artist?"

Vivienne flashed him a wicked smile, "So, you are very sure that you didn't plagiarize?"

"Absolutely!" Jeffrey responded confidently.

As soon as he finished speaking, someone spoke up in his defense, "Vivienne, we shouldn't make accusations without evidence."

"Right, you're suggesting that Mr. Ellington plagiarized but do you have any proof?"

Vivienne shot the two people a glance; they were the ones who had just asked Jeffrey to paint.

She retracted her gaze and stowed her smile away. She said in a cold tone, "When did you paint this?"

"A few years ago!" Jeffrey replied without any hesitation.

Vivienne smirked, "You said you painted this years ago. But why did you use this year's newly manufactured paint?"

Jeffrey was taken aback. It strike him that she could literally discern the paint.

The paint he used for this painting was indeed newly developed this year.

This brand of paint had brighter colors and a longer oxidation time, and was currently popular among artists.

"Yes, this painting was indeed made with new paint. The colors are more accurate, and it's easier to mix the shades I want." "Exactly, it's the latest development. I just bought it yesterday."

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