Chapter 338
The crowd agreed. It sounded like a fair solution.
Since Carmen excelled in traditional painting, if her work surpassed Aubree’s oil painting, it would demonstrate her strength and prove she could have achieved those competition results without Aubree’s ghost-painting or using Aubree’s works.
On the other hand, if Aubree’s painting proved better, it would confirm that Carmen had been trying to pass off Aubree’s works as her own.
“Well…” Carmen feigned hesitation, though her eager tone and expression betrayed her as she asked, “Aubree, are you willing?”
‘So this is what she’s planning,’ Aubree couldn’t help but scoff inwardly.
Aubree hadn’t picked up a paintbrush in over a year. Painting required the feel, vision, and talent, all of which were indispensable. Carmen had both talent and vision, and she’d been sharpening her skills all year. It simply seemed unfair to Aubree.
To the uninitiated, it all seemed above board, but anyone with real expertise could instantly see the tricks at play.
Stan frowned, about to retort, but Pervival cut him off, “Mr. Frazier, this is just an artistic duel between the younger generation. We old-timers should stay out of it.”
Alvin grabbed Aubree’s arm and shook his head slightly.
Aubree kept her face blank, but inwardly, she was practically grinning. She had to admit that Carmen had set up a brilliant trap with every step perfectly interlocked.
If she were still the old Aubree, with a year out of practice, there was no way she could outmaneuver Carmen. Carmen’s plan would have worked like a charm.
Then, after this incident, Aubree would be the one left in disgrace.
But no matter how carefully Carmen schemed, she could never have guessed that Aubree had a second chance at life.
Her painting skills, artistic vision, and emotional depth had long surpassed her past standard. Even after more than a year without touching a brush, she was still light-years ahead of Carmen.
“Bring it on.” Aubree smiled and agreed without hesitation.
Stan let out a helpless sigh. “You’re too impulsive.” Aubree might be exceptionally talented, but after not touching a brush for over a year, how could she possibly compete with Carmen, who’d been training nonstop under a master?
This was clearly a trap set specifically for Aubree.
Had Aubree refused, his clout would at least have kept the scales from tipping so heavily against her.
Now, Stan knew he had to figure out how to minimize the fallout afterward. Worried, Stan was already mentally reviewing his network, trying to decide which connections he could leverage.
Alvin’s face darkened. “Uncle Bowen, this puts Aubree at a serious disadvantage. She hasn’t painted in ages. There’s no guarantee she can win. Also, most of the crowd came specifically for Carmen, so they were biased in the first place.”
‘Even if Aubree’s painting is as good as Carmen’s, or even a tad better, she’ll still likely lose, unless she completely crushes Carmen. But is that even possible?’ Alvin thought.
Even Alvin didn’t dare to fully support Aubree.
Bowen chuckled lightly. “Don’t worry. She’ll win. She’s Aubree. She’ll never allow herself to lose to anyone from the Wilson family.
“Right now, it’s not Bree who should worry, but the others.”
Bowen certainly hadn’t forgotten how the Wilson family had distorted the truth when he walked in. Like any good boyfriend would, if Bree wanted to sue, he’d assemble a top-tier legal team for her.
Bowen’s gaze lingered on Alice. If Bree decided to sue the Wilson family for abandonment now, he already had all the evidence needed to win the case and permanently sever her ties with them.
Bree said they should wait a bit longer. Bowen didn’t quite understand why, but he respected her wishes.
Alice and Daxton exchanged knowing grins. ‘Soon, Aubree will be dragged through the mud,’ they thought. ‘After all the suffering she’s inflicted on Carmen, it’s finally her turn to get a taste of her own medicine.’
With canvases, paints, and all the supplies ready, Aubree and Carmen each took their place at their easel.