Chapter 77

"Calling her a busybody is too lenient."

"I agree! She's just downright spiteful!"

The muttering around the room quickly swelled,voices rising with irritation.

A good number in the crowd were loyal supporters of Riley, eager for the rare chance to have their work critiqued by her. They'd come with high hopes, only to watch them crumble to dust

The disappointment curdled into anger, and the harsh remarks carried easily to Leyla's ears. Her lips pressed into a thin line. In her mind, those who lacked artistic understanding had no business being here. Their departure should have been a blessing to anyone with real talent. Yet instead of gratitude, she was met with petty insults.Were these people completely unhinged?

Still,she brushed their words aside with cool disdain. In her eyes, the outcome was already decided-victors were the ones who wrote history, and soon enough,she would be the one holding the pen. Settle down, all of you!" Larry's voice cut through the noise as he rose from his seat. "Check your painting supplies. If you're missing anything, speak up now. If everything's in order, we'll start the competition immediately."

"No tools missing over here."

"All set on my side, too."

Larry gave a short nod. "Alright then, the competition begins now! You've got two hours to finish your work.There's no set theme, but it must be in oil. Let your creativity lead the way."

The moment his words landed, brushes began to move and pencils scratched across canvases.

Since the rules didn't dictate a subject, most had already envisioned their final piece before the clock even started.

Leyla, in particular, skipped any preliminary sketching altogether, diving straight into her painting with swift,assured strokes.

The decisiveness caught Davin's attention. Though her earlier clash with Riley still left a bitter taste, he couldn't deny the precision and natural skill in her technique.

In the farthest corner, Carl was the last to pick up his brush.

Roped into the contest at the last minute,he had only just learned the details. He spent a good while mapping out his composition before finally applying the first stroke of color.

Meanwhile, the auction had wound down, and those not competing were escorted into a lavish lounge.

There, crystal glasses gleamed with fine liquor, and trays of delicate, artful pastries awaited them.

Hector set a plate with a delicate slice of dessert in front of Jeffry. "Dad, you came straight here without dinner. You should eat something to tide you over."

For weeks, Jeffry had been distant toward his son.yet tonight he didn't push the offering away.

A father could be disappointed, even angry, but the bond of blood made it hard to close his heart entirely.

On top of that, his opinion of Leyla had improved somewhat,and Hector's small act of goodwill gave him an easy chance to soften his stance.

Relief flickered across Hector's face, though before he could speak further, a murmur rose from the lounge entrance. Both men turned to see the cause.

Eliana stepped inside, her arrival pulling every eye toward her as if she carried her own spotlight.

Hector realized this was the first time he had truly taken in her appearance.

Leyla's beauty was undeniable, but Eliana... she possessed a glow that edged beyond it.

While Leyla's elegance came wrapped in a luxurious gown, Eliana's magnetism was sharpened by a chic,perfectly tailored suit that spoke of sophistication.

The memory of their first meeting flashed in his mind -her clothes then had been worn and plain, more fitting for a beggar than a guest in high society.

Now,dressed in refined attire, she radiated a poised,noble grace that made every other socialite in the room fade into the scenery.

Jeffry's gaze lingered on Eliana, taking in every detail of her refined poise. Admiration stirred in his eyes,though it was tinged with something almost wistful. "If she hadn't been separated from the Murrays, maybe the one by your side wouldn't be Leyla at all, but her.A girl like that would be a credit to you-and to me.And when it comes to health, she's the sort who could outlast any ailment. After all, she could even heal even what others can't."

The remark made Hector's brow crease instinctively."Dad, Leyla is my girlfriend. I truly care for her..."

Even as he defended her, the suggestion his father had planted worked its way into his thoughts like a seed taking root, subtle and unnoticed.

Jeffry's eyes cut to his son with quiet certainty."I know you better than you think. This talk of 'genuine feelings'-it's just the thrill of wanting what your mother and I disapprove of. If there were no opposition, and you married Leyla without any hindrance,I doubt it would last."

Hector found himself unable to respond.

Jeffry let out a quiet sigh and gave his head a small shake. "Alright, enough of this topic. If you claim your feelings are real, I'll take your word for it. Since you're so determined, I'll give Leyla a fair shot. But she'll need to prove herself by winning today's competition -show me she's worth something."

"She'll win," Hector answered without hesitation, his tone brimming with certainty.

Before he could say more, movement at the doorway drew every eye.

Tristan had arrived. Without hesitation, his steps carried him straight to Eliana's side, as though that was where he belonged.

Catching sight of the two together, the Clarke men exchanged a brief, unreadable glance before making their way over.

Jeffry greeted them first.

Both acknowledged him with slight nods, their cool,self-possessed air almost identical- so much so it set Hector oddly on edge.

The feeling was unfamiliar, and for reasons Hector couldn't pinpoint, it left him unsettled.

Jeffry began cautiously. "Dr. Murray, I wanted to ask you a few things concerning my father's health..."

Because Eliana had already committed to Miguel's treatment, walking away halfway was never an option in her mind.

She gave a simple nod. "Go ahead."

For a moment, Jeffry's lips parted, but no words followed. Something in his expression suggested hesitation.

Sensing it, Tristan interjected smoothly, "I've got something personal to handle. You two carry on."

He stepped away without looking back.

"Now that we're alone, you can speak freely." Eliana shifted her focus back to Jeffry.

At last, Jeffry got to the point. "It's not actually about my father-it's about a friend of his. The man's illness mirrors my father's, and after hearing of his recovery,he came to me seeking help..."

Eliana lifted a hand, cutting him off. "There's no need to go further. I treated your father because I gave my word. That doesn't mean I'm obliged to help someone else."

Jeffry leaned forward, almost urgent. "If it's a matter of payment,I can meet whatever price you set."

"Then have him submit a request through the Onyx Syndicate," Eliana replied evenly. "But whether I agree will depend entirely on my mood-and on whether l see any reason to deal with him at all."

Even hearing that limited assurance was enough to make Jeffry's expression warm. "I appreciate it.I'll pass along what you've said."

While the two spoke, Hector's gaze never left Eliana.It struck him that this was the first time he'd truly studied her up close. With every passing second, her beauty seemed more striking, almost disarming.

Leyla shared a hint of her features, and Leyla's looks were already celebrated. Yet, side by side in his mind,the difference was undeniable.

Somewhere deep inside, a small, unacknowledged doubt began to take root-and without him realizing,it quietly pushed deeper.