Chapter 69
After the wedding photoshoot was over, Seren stepped out of the bridal boutique still feeling unsettled.
Matters of the heart were always too complicated for her-no matter how hard she tried, she could never make sense of them.
Before Sheridan came into her life, Seren had been focused solely on studying art under Mr. Shaw, pouring all her energy into mastering watercolor landscapes. She had little to no experience with relationships.
Meeting Sheridan changed everything. Since then, she’s been following her instincts, rarely stopping to reflect on what it all meant.
Now, belatedly, she realized even instincts could be wrong.
She couldn’t even tell what she’d really felt for Sheridan. Was it love? Was it a sense of obligation? Or something else entirely?
Lennon’s voice interrupted her thoughts.
“There’s an auction tonight. Want to go p>
He kept his tone casual, but added, “I heard Elder Fairchild’s ‘The Shadowed Oak’
is on the block tonight, along with a few rare, original old masters p>
Elder Fairchild was one of Seren’s favorite modern artists, renowned for his paintings-especially his oak studies.
It was that very piece-‘The Shadowed Oak’-that had launched Fairchild’s career in art circles years ago.
Some critics even claimed that Fairchild’s ‘The Shadowed Oak,’ with its masterful technique, effortless brushwork, and elegant composition, was worthy of comparison to the ancient master Wen Tong’s painting of the same name.
Seren blurted out her answer without hesitation. “Absolutely p>
She’d always dreamed of seeing Fairchild’s ‘The Shadowed Oak’ in person.
And those rare old paintings—she wanted to see them for herself, too. Genuine works of that vintage almost never came to market.
As for the questions that had been circling in her mind just minutes ago, Seren simply let them go.
She had always been easygoing, never one to torture herself over things she couldn’t figure out. She believed that, in time, the answers would reveal themselves.
Rather than waste energy puzzling over the unknowable, she looked forward to the auction and the chance to finally lay eyes on Elder Fairchild’s masterpiece and those elusive ancient paintings.
Half an hour later—
Lennon’s car pulled up in front of a palatial, neo-classical building overlooking the river-its grand columns and ornate façade making it look more like a palace than an auction house.
As they stepped out of the garage, Seren noticed the ‘Full’ sign already lit, and several luxury cars being ushered into VIP spots up front by security.
Clearly, the auction was going to be packed.
bet
Seren, who usually holed up in her studio, had never attended an event like this. She titled closely behind. Lennon, taking in every detail.
They wound their way past marble balustrades and gilded pillars, reaching the entrance hall.
Security was tight. People ahead of them filed in, holding numbered paddles as they cleared the checkpoint.
Lennon seemed to be a regular here.
No sooner had they walked in than
la
well-dressed usher feat.ne
them through a side entrance.
ng them warmly and learne
Inside, the usher guided them to the VIP seats near the front.
Suddenly, a voice called out behind them.
“Seren p>
Seren turned at the sound.
It was Nadine, her face lit up with delight.
A quick glance revealed the rest of Nadine’s family close by.
First was Nadine’s mother, Susan Rutledge.
To Susan’s right sat Zena, Thurman, Swain, Carla, and Slater-five familiar faces, all lined up in a neat row.
Seren offered Nadine and Susan a polite nod, then turned away and followed the usher up front without pause.
Behind her, Swain’s expression stiffened.
He noticed that Seren had greeted only Nadine and Susan, deliberately ignoring the rest of them.
When she used to ignore his
messages, he hadn’t felt much. But
now watching her walkway
without so much as a glance, he felt
a tightness in his chest, as if he couldn’t breathe.
He realized-Seren really would never forgive him.
Zena and Thurman’s faces remained impassive.
To them, Seren was irrelevant. Whether she greeted them or not made no
difference; it was a trivial matter.
Slater, on the other hand, looked openly annoyed.
He’d always despised the way Seren acted as if she were above everyone else,
as though no one else mattered.
Carla, eyes red with emotion, watched Seren walk to her VIP seat, unable to look away.