Chapter 4

As the graduation exhibition of New York City's most prestigious art academy, this exhibition was exceptionally grand.

Numerous celebrities came from all over the country to attend.

And my graduation project, which Julian had swapped and given to Delilah, became an overnight sensation, just like in my past life.

The number of likes for related videos online surpassed a million.

A crowd of spectators thronged in front of this painting, the scene comparable to the throngs gathered to see the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.

"Oh my god, is this really painted?"

"This bubble wrap, silk, wood, and jewelry—they're painted so realistically!"

"Even standing this close, I can't tell it's a painting. The artist is purely showing off their skill!"

"Doesn't this painting feel like it references that peerless masterpiece by the late Mrs. Sterling?"

At this moment, Delilah, arm in arm with Julian, walked over: "I did indeed reference Ms. Hayes’s “Madonna” painting, but that painting is publicly licensed, so it’s permissible to draw inspiration from it."

"Hey, look, the artist herself is here!"

I stood not far away, watching Delilah, surrounded by the crowd, looking smug and pleased with herself.

She had specially dressed up meticulously today and was accepting accolades from the crowd with Julian on her arm.

"Miss Rosewood, what is the core concept behind this painting?"

Delilah, beaming, repeated the design concept I had given her: "This painting primarily explores the impact of modern consumerism on classical artistic aesthetics..."

The crowd erupted in gasps of admiration, and in no time, Delilah was being hailed as a rising star in the art world.

The merchandise related to this artwork also sold like wildfire.

It attracted even more collectors, all eager to bid.

"I bid ten thousand dollars!"

"Fifteen thousand!"

"Twenty thousand!"

"Forty thousand!"

Everyone was astonished by the fervor with which established artists publicly vied for a student's piece.

For a graduate's work to fetch such a price was already jaw-dropping.

Delilah shot me a proud glance, a challenging smirk playing on her lips.

"Forty thousand dollars, going once!"

"Forty thousand dollars, going twice!"

Just as everyone thought that was the final price, a voice suddenly called out from the doorway: "One hundred thousand dollars!"

Everyone present was utterly stunned.

"Oh my heavens! One hundred thousand dollars!"

"He raised it by more than double!"

"It's Mr. Sterling! Alexander Sterling himself is here!"

"This new artist is incredible, to actually attract Sterling himself to bid!"Julian smirked at me triumphantly, "Sera, you don't have to pay off my dad's gambling debts anymore. If you hadn't been so cold-hearted back then, I'd even have Delilah give you some money now."

“Sera, don’t regret it—regret won’t help anyway. Now that Delilah has caught Sterling’s attention, her future is limitless. Only she is worthy of me!”

I ignored him and focused intently on watching Mr. Sterling approaching.

He stopped in front of Delilah, staring at the painting with a faint smile: “Did you paint this?”

Alexander had always been America’s most eligible bachelor. His handsome features had captivated countless women, but he had always remained devoted, his heart belonging only to his late beloved wife, Eleanor Hayes.

Delilah nodded eagerly, "Yes, Mr. Sterling. I've always deeply admired Ms. Hayes's work! It's such a tragedy she died so young."

My gaze fixed on Alexander's tightening jawline, and a faint smile touched my lips.

The very next moment, he lunged, his hand suddenly closing around Delilah's throat.

"Who gave you the audacity," he snarled, "as a member of the Crimson Thorn, to dare use my wife to cross my line!"