With long, straight legs, Jeremiah strode toward Yvette, Wyatt hurrying to follow. The crowd's gazes followed—some amazed, some suspicious, others shocked, and some thoughtful.
Jeremiah reached Yvette just as she finished a dessert. Yvette lifted her head, her long, pale neck gleaming, the hint of her collarbones visible; her flawless face met Jeremiah's gaze.
Jeremiah looked down, a hint of a smile playing on his brows. His voice, magnetic and pleasant, carried, “You look beautiful today.”
Yvette leaned back lazily, her eyelids rising slightly, her expression still somewhat indifferent. A faint, cold mist seemed to linger in her eyes, touched with wildness. Casually, she replied, “Only today?”
Jeremiah was momentarily stunned. Did she just tease me? But a hint of joy bloomed in his heart. He gazed at her intently, his eyebrows slightly raised. “You’ve always looked beautiful.”
Yvette rested her hand on her chin. Her voice was light and slow. “I know. I’ve always been beautiful.”
Sienna rubbed her forehead, glancing at the women glaring daggers at Yvette. She wanted to say, “Boss, you’re not just good-looking, you’re drop-dead gorgeous. But could you tone it down a little? Can’t you see these women are practically ready to devour you?” But the imposing presence of the newly arrived man kept her silent. She wasn’t stupid; she saw their flirtation—the “dog abuse,” as she thought of it—and she was the closest dog to the action.
Nearby, Simon, startled by Yvette's remark, coughed awkwardly. “Well… I hadn’t realized this young lady possessed a slight narcissistic streak. But perhaps it’s not narcissism, simply stating a fact. In all my years, Yvette is indeed the most beautiful student I’ve ever had. No argument there!”
The corner of Jeremiah’s mouth curved upward—an expression reserved solely for Yvette. His gaze briefly swept over Sienna's curious expression, his meaning unmistakable.
Sienna shot up, exclaiming to Jeremiah, “I’ll be back!” She then moved to a seat farther away. Jeremiah took her former seat, nodded politely at Simon, and focused entirely on Yvette. Yvette glanced at him, her pretty eyes meeting his; her lips pressed together, she remained silent.
To those around them, this was tacit approval. Whispers arose: “So, are they a couple?”
“I heard the Carter family broke off their engagement with Yvette, switching to Winona. Looks like it’s true. Otherwise, why would she be sitting so openly with another man?”
“Yvette really has it made, huh? First, found by the Chambers family, now this handsome, amazing boyfriend. And on top of that, she looks like that? Life’s unfair.”
“I used to think Victor was handsome, but compared to this guy… the difference is vast.”
Victor, entering the garden with Nellie and Winona, overheard this. He fumed, but seeing the man beside Yvette, his anger deflated. The frustrating truth was they weren’t wrong—he couldn’t compare. He could only sulk.
Winona knew that after the apprenticeship ceremony, the two families would announce her engagement to Victor. She’d given up on Jeremiah, for now. She wasn’t foolish. Her mother was right—securing Victor was her priority. As for Jeremiah… she wouldn't give up on him in the future if the opportunity arose. For now, she would put it aside.
Cyanbird’s painting, a gift to Winona, was prominently displayed on the faux wall in the center of the garden.
Richard sat in the main seat, Zachary, Nellie, Robert, and Yulia beside him. Everyone tacitly agreed to forget the earlier incident, Richard resuming his usual arrogant demeanor.
Zachary announced the apprenticeship ceremony would be held first. This brightened Winona’s mood considerably; it showed Zachary valued her and understood her priorities. He’d prioritized her ceremony over Yvette’s recognition event. Passing Yvette, a hint of smugness on her face, Winona paused, saying, “Sis, I’m going first.”
Yvette didn’t react, not even opening her eyes, merely curling her lips coldly.
Winona, furious but not daring to lose her temper in front of Jeremiah, gritted her teeth and walked away.
The apprenticeship ceremony was brief, lasting only twenty minutes. Yvette kept her eyes closed, resting. Everyone assumed jealousy, but those nearby heard her soft, steady breathing.
Jeremiah subtly shifted, blocking a distant breeze. From afar, it appeared he cradled Yvette in his arms.
Wyatt noticed, his eyes darkening. Looks like Jeremiah has truly fallen for her. But can Yvette pass the old chief’s test?
After the ceremony, Winona officially became Richard’s last student. This title boosted her confidence; she had the strongest backing in oil painting. Everyone congratulated her, seemingly forgetting the earlier events, and she returned to her triumphant air.
Then, a man in his forties, wearing glasses and ordinary clothes, entered, shouting, “Hold on! I have something to say!”
The crowd turned to the newcomer… Richard’s nemesis, Cole Paben, the Art Association’s vice president. He despised Richard’s corruption and nepotism, his abuse of power, and the chaos he'd created. Under the previous president, the association had been fair; Richard had used underhanded tactics to remove him and now sought to elevate his new student. Cole wouldn't tolerate this, rushing to Seacrity overnight after learning of it.
He’d heard a secret about Winona from the former president. How could a little girl tell such an outrageous lie and fool everyone? I absolutely cannot let someone like Winona enter the Art Association.
Richard’s murky eyes glared at Cole. Why is he meddling? What does my student have to do with him? “Mr. Paben, why aren’t you overseeing the Art Association in Betrico? What brings you to Seacrity?”
Some recognized him—Cole Paben, the Art Association’s vice president and an internationally awarded oil painter. Word spread quickly.
Ignoring Richard, Cole fixed his gaze on Winona, standing beside the painting. His eyes, sharp and cold, narrowed. “Winona, correct?”
Winona panicked. “Yes, Mr. Paben.”
Cole stepped forward, his presence imposing. Pointing to the painting, he asked, “You said this was a gift from Cyanbird?”