Chapter 35: Give me a smile
Molly was overjoyed. “That’s amazing! Not only will I get to meet Enrico, but this painting will also make me famous. People will forget all about the Heaven Hotel incident.”
“Thank you, Dad!” Molly exclaimed happily, rushing into his arms. “Dad, I’ll make sure to seize this opportunity. At that time, even if you want to be the president, there will be no problem.”
Malik laughed heartily, deeply touched by her words, and held Molly tightly. They were both determined to succeed together; no matter what, he was resolved to make Molly the wife of the first-tier tycoon.
…
Rose Estate.
Upon learning that Enrico would be taking Paige to the Obsidian Award finals, Susan and Olivia were beyond excited.
“Miss, how about this outfit? It’s elegant and chic,” Susan suggested, holding up a dress in front of Paige.
Paige sat at the dining table, looking blankly ahead, chin resting on her hand, ignoring their suggestions.
“It’s too plain. Miss, you’re still young; you should wear something brighter. This one is exquisite, custom-made, one of a kind,” Olivia offered, holding up another dress. “If you wear this, you’ll surely dazzle everyone.”
After comparing outfits for a while, the two girls sighed and sat down next to Paige. “Miss, when you go out with Mr. Gustin, you can’t look so… dull. You’ll embarrass Mr. Gustin.”
“Yeah, Mr. Gustin is unpredictable. Today he might like you, but tomorrow he might just kick you out,” Olivia added, gently trying to lift the corners of Paige’s mouth. “Come on, sweetie, smile. You look so much better when you smile, not like a lunatic.”
“Hehe,” Paige forced a smile, looking even more awkward.
Susan and Olivia were at a loss.
After incessant nagging, they finally left Paige alone. She rushed upstairs to the study, opened her laptop, and dialed Kevin’s number using an internet phone call.
“Paige, you finally reached out to me. I was worried sick, thinking Enrico might have done something to you. I’ve been sleepless for two days and nights,” Kevin exclaimed, sounding more like the bewildered Kevin from the slums than the head of a family.
Paige sat down at her desk, getting straight to the point. “I’ve been closely watched these days, couldn’t make any calls. How’s the surveillance on the Clarkes going?”
“I was just about to tell you. Malik is going all out to make his daughter famous. He had the previous Obsidian Award winner paint a piece titled ‘Flaming Sunflower,’ signed under Molly’s name, and submitted it for the competition. He’s aiming to crown Molly with the Obsidian Award right away,” Kevin reported.
Paige chuckled mockingly at his words. “Seems like I have a connection with the Clarkes after all. They’re competing too.”
Kevin instantly caught on. “Wait, are you competing as well?”
“Yeah,” Paige confirmed. “I’ve already uploaded my painting online, and it’s been receiving high ratings, comparable to ‘Flaming Sunflower.'”
“But Molly’s painting is by the former winner. It’s really good. Even if you expose Molly publicly, ‘Flaming Sunflower’ might still win Best Painting,” Kevin cautioned.
“I’m determined to win,” Paige said, a sharp gleam in her eyes.
“You’re that confident?” Kevin sounded puzzled.
“She has a former winner backing her, and I have my strengths too. Do you know why it’s called the Obsidian Award?” Paige asked.
“Oil painting master Chris, her paintings are unparalleled globally, unmatched and irreplaceable. She initiated the Obsidian Award, named after her love for obsidian. Two years ago, she disappeared suddenly, and her paintings became priceless.”
“Exactly,” Paige nodded calmly. “Do you remember the old woman at Wind Island, the one with disfigured face and severed hands?”
“I do. Heard she had an accident that left her like that, and without family, she ended up at Wind Island,”
“That’s Chris. She forced me to study oil painting for three years,” Paige revealed.
“What?” Kevin was astonished. “She’s Chris? The legendary artist, strong-willed, and despite losing her hands, she’s still hanging on? And she swore never to take on apprentices. How did you manage to persuade her to teach you?”
Upon hearing this, Paige thought back to her time in the slums.
When Chris first arrived at Wind Island, she had indeed been ready to give up entirely, but Paige wouldn’t allow it. Paige forced Chris to eat, forced her to drink, and refused to let her die.
“Maybe she’s grateful to me for saving her,” Paige said, a smile playing on her lips.
Chris imparted all her skills without holding back, making Paige unafraid of any former winners or the founder herself at the Obsidian Award. That’s why Paige was confident she could win.Content (C) Nôv/elDra/ma.Org.
Upon hearing this, Kevin couldn’t help but ask, “Another one you saved? How many people have you actually saved?”
“How many people have I saved?” Paige reflected on those three years of her life. “I’ve lost count.”
With that said, she hung up the internet call, cleared the records, closed the computer, and left the study.
…
It was the day of the Obsidian Award finals.
Paige leaned over the balcony, scanning the area outside. Her painting had made it to the finals, and today was the day the champion would be decided.
In the distance, she saw luxury cars arriving one after another.
The courtyard gate swung open, and first came two rows of bodyguards with guns at their waists.
Enrico and Jaden followed closely behind, with Jaden holding a black umbrella to shield Enrico from the intense sun. Enrico’s face partially obscured by the umbrella.
Susan greeted them at the door, “Mr. Gustin . Miss has been upstairs eagerly awaiting your arrival since early morning.”
Paige felt extremely exasperated. She wasn’t eagerly awaiting Enrico; she had simply come upstairs to escape their incessant chatter.
Enrico halted in his tracks, lifted his hand, and pushed aside the umbrella Jaden was holding to get a clear view of the person on the balcony.
Paige leaned on the balcony, her gaze absent-mindedly fixed on him. She had changed into a black and gray long dress, matching his color scheme.
Enrico looked at her, as if beckoning a small pet, “Come down.”
Paige stared at him blankly, playing her role dutifully as a mentally ill patient.
Seeing Paige’s lack of response, Susan hurriedly said, “Let me go and get Miss to come down.”
Susan and Olivia supported Paige as they walked down. She wore a strapless V-neck dress, predominantly black with a gray panel extending down from her waist, simple yet dignified.
They had carefully chosen it for Paige. The finals were long, and anything too elaborate or formal might make Paige uncomfortable. They were worried she might feel suffocated and end up causing trouble by removing it.
Enrico stood in the courtyard, watching as the two maids supported Paige down the steps.
“Mr. Gustin, Miss… She… Please be patient no matter what she does,” Olivia handed Paige’s hand over to Enrico’s, anxiously advising. After all, you never knew when a mental illness might flare up.
Enrico couldn’t be bothered to deal with the two maids, taking Paige’s hand and leading her outside.
Once Paige sat in the car, she resumed her usual expressionless act of dullness. Enrico sat beside her, holding her hand and placing it on his thigh. With one hand resting on the window, he leaned over to look at her, “Why don’t you have a smile on your face? Didn’t you want to come out?”
Paige didn’t react.
Enrico suddenly pinched her hand hard, bending her delicate fingers, forcing Paige to look at him in pain.
“Give me a smile,” Enrico reached for her chin, commanding in a low voice.
Paige refused to smile, maintaining her dull expression.
“If you don’t smile, I’ll throw you off this car,” Enrico threatened.
Paige felt resentful. Was he out of his mind? Couldn’t he just sit in the car properly?
Suddenly, Enrico leaned towards her, and she instinctively moved closer to the car door.
Unexpectedly, Enrico stretched his arm out and pushed open the door on her side. The car was moving, and a strong gust of wind rushed in.
As if that wasn’t enough, Enrico coldly ordered, “Faster.”
Jaden sat in the front passenger seat, not daring to question Enrico. The driver dared not either, so he pressed down on the accelerator, deliberately causing the car to sway.
The open door wobbled in the strong wind like a vortex, aggressively and recklessly trying to suck Paige out.