Chapter 134 Shattered

Simon stood by the easel, nodding again and again with praise.

By the time Kyla finished fixing her work, a lifelike snake seemed to crawl right out of the paper.

The girls who had been whispering and mocking her earlier shut their mouths. They couldn’t deny it–Kyla’s skills were amazing.

The drawing was beautiful.

“Thank you, Kyla. Everyone, take a look. Notice how she used soft pencil shading across the whole body of the snake…”

Simon explained the different techniques she had used. Just hearing him talk made it sound impressive.

The way people looked at Kyla started to change.

Whether they pitied her, liked her, or even disliked her, they had to admit one thing–Kyla had real talent.

Her clever composition and strong technique proved she wasn’t ordinary.

Sure, she wasn’t born a Jenson by blood. But she was their chosen daughter, raised in one of the most powerful families in the city, spoiled with money, resources, and endless tutors.

Anyone growing up in that world, surrounded by the best teachers and endless opportunities, could be molded into a top-tier socialite.

Kyla bowed her head humbly, accepting Simon’s compliments.

But from the corner of her eye, she shot Tilda a proud glance.

Tilda, this is what it means to be a Jenson daughter–grace, talent, and class.

Without the Jensons raising her, without the most expensive tutors, without her own talent and effort, she could never have reached this level at her age.

This was her foundation inside the Jensons. This was why her brothers adored her, why her parents favored her, and why others admired her. She wasn’t some clumsy, fake princess.

And for a freshman art major to earn such attention from Simon–that was unheard of.

“Now that we’ve gone over Kyla’s composition,” Simon said, “do you all feel you understand more clearly? In a bit, I’ll ask some of you to raise your hands if you want me to analyze your work too.”

He had barely finished when another voice cut in.

“Professor Linscott, I’m done. Could you take a look?”

It was Tilda.

Of course, it was her.

But Kyla didn’t even flinch. She had expected this.

After all, Tilda had chosen “snake” in the first place just to humiliate her.

But what could Tilda possibly compare with? Against her–the one with real skill?

Kyla had never planned to make painting her life’s goal. For her, art was a stepping stone. Something to get her into a top university, something to polish her name so the Jensons could be proud of her.

Her real future was higher. Marriage into a richer, stronger family. Or maybe even breaking into the entertainment world.

Someone like Jude… Now that was a match worth dreaming of.

Preston? He was fine, but he was forever stuck in Jude’s shadow inside the Bells. No matter his ambition, he’d never measure up.

Kyla had only met Jude twice, and yet his presence burned into her memory.

He was untouchable. The sharp edge in her heart.

She had grown up around wealthy heirs and powerful men, but none of them compared to Jude. His aura, his pride, his cold nobility–he stood above them all.

Only by becoming stronger, more accomplished, could Kyla be worthy of him.

She believed it. Jude was hers.

The class, meanwhile, all turned to watch Tilda with a mix of curiosity and excitement.

Kyla’s snake drawing had been stunning, and she hadn’t been shaken at all. But no one could recall Tilda ever showing off her art before.

Could the disowned “real daughter,” kicked out of her family, actually compete with the pampered, polished “fake daughter” who had been trained since childhood?

“Tilda,” Simon said, surprised at her speed, “please bring up your work so we can all see.”

He had noticed her earlier. While he was explaining Kyla’s work, Tilda hadn’t even started sketching.

That meant she had finished her piece in almost the same time–or maybe even faster–than Kyla.

“Okay.”

Tilda walked up calmly and set her work on display.

The room went silent.

All anyone could hear was the wind rattling the trees outside and the distant shouts and laughter of students running laps on the field.

Even Kyla froze.

The pride she had just felt, her confidence in her own ability, was shattered in an instant.