Chapter 17
As the car pulled up at Melville’s villa, Celeste hopped out and made her
way upstairs.
She had left behind some other valuable stuffs in Melville family, except for
the jewelry gifted by Kendric. Among these items were a bunch of picture
frames, worth a pretty penny.
Their former function was to frame the portraits she painted for Kendric.
Celeste didn’t waste any time and headed straight up to the third–floor
storage room. She opened the cabinet, took out the picture frames, and carefully
selected one.
It’s designed by a well–known artist, with a rectangular shape, gilded
finishes and ornate details. It had elaborated filigree reliefs and four rubies
embedded in the corners.
Celeste examined the picture frame for a while and then removed the
portrait inside without hesitation.
When Kendric came upstairs, he spotted her tossing a painting onto the
floor.
It was his portrait. Kendric wasn’t sure when Celeste had painted it, but it
was quite impressive. Now, it was carelessly discarded on the ground.
His expression became somewhat complicated.
Celeste turned a blind eye to him.
First she bought the picture frame using her own money. Second, in her
eyes, Kendric’s portrait naturally wasn’t as important as the gift for her
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teacher.
So she nonchalantly took it out and discarded it without giving it much
thought.
It wasn’t until she had finished framing the painting that she noticed
Kendric frowning at her.
She explained, “I bought this picture frame myself. You can put your
portrait anywhere else,” her tone sounded very laid–back.
Kendric clenched his fist. Finally, he didn’t say anything and handed the
portrait back to her. “Reframe it.”
***On the way to the party***
Inside the car, the vibe between Celeste and Kendric wasn’t great. It’s like a
thick, transparent wall separated them.
They arrived just around noon.
Kendric stepped out of the car, opened the door and waited for her beside
the car.
When Celeste got out of the car, Kendric reached for her hand, but she
directly walked past him with long strides.
His hand hung in the air.
Foster family wasn’t nobility, but they had earned a lot of respect. Mr.
Foster and Prof. Becker had dedicated their lives to teaching, even though they
didn’t have any kids of their own. Their students had spread to every corner of
the world.
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Today’s birthday party made nearly all their students gathered together.
Kendric and Celeste went their separate ways into the room.
Kendric was instantly surrounded by the crowd, while Celeste joined a few
classmates to find Prof. Becker.
Prof. Becker was on the roof garden, chatting away with students. At fifty years old, she looked not her age.
Celeste wasn’t the top achiever among her students, but she still stood out. When she reached garden, someone called out her name, and Prof. Becker’s
eyes landed on her.
Prof. Becker waved her over, “come here.”
“Celeste, is that a gift for the professor?” Someone who had been eyeing
what she held in her hand asked curiously.
“Yeah, it’s a painting. Professor, would you like to see it?” Celeste cast an inquiring glance toward Professor.
“Of course, with so many of your schoolmates here today, let’s all have a
look at your artwork.”
A lot of folks were starting to get curious. After all, most of students here only heard about Celeste as the professor’s favorite student, but they never
actually met her.
Her appearance was already pretty impressive, and now they’d even get to
check out her painting… So, many people started tiptoeing forward.
Prof. Becker opened the gift box and took out the painting.
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It was a beautiful autumn scene, with a winding river stretching forward, flanked by those tall sycamore trees. The leaves on the riverbank had that
golden–brown hue. It’s like freezing this desolate autumn scene in the canvas of
time.
After seeing the painting, most of them were not just amazed by the
painter’s skill but also totally taken by the frame.
Those four sparkling rubies at each corner of the frame alone were
impossible to ignore.
Prof. Becker, however, just silently gazed at the painting. Celeste, on the
other hand, felt a bit nervous, like she was receiving a homework checkup.
“Oh my god, is this frame some kind of antique? It’s got that cool vintage
vibe,” someone asked.
Only then did Prof. Becker notice the frame. She shot Celeste a meaningful
glance and then removed the painting from the frame.
“This painting and this frame just don’t go together. You can take the frame.
back.”
Without the frame, the painting looked pretty ordinary. Celeste’s cheeks
blushed with embarrassment.
“Yeah, Professor. I get it,” Celeste slightly nodded.
Prof. Becker put the painting away, and Celeste had someone take the frame
back to the car.
Feast was about to kick off, and everyone was getting ready to head
downstairs.
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Chapter47
But Prof. Becker halted Celeste. “Come with me to my study.”
Inside the study, Prof. Becker was eyeing her painting.
“Your painting skills have taken quite a dip.”
Celeste lowered her head.
“You have exceptional talent, but don’t let it go to waste in the end.”
“Professor, I get it,” Celeste responded.
Prof. Becker retrieved an envelope from her drawer. “This is a
recommendation letter. I’ve also reached out to the school. If you pass the exam,
you can start your studies this coming fall.”
Celeste accepted it with gratitude. “Thank you, professor.”
“Celeste, you’re the most talented student I’ve ever had, but your
accomplishments are almost non–existent. Now that you’ve made up your mind
to study abroad, make the most of this opportunity.”
“I will.”
“I heard you moved out of Melville family?”
Celeste paused. “Yes.”
“Have you thought it through?”
“Yes, I… decide to break up with Kendric.”
Prof. Becker sighed. “Kendric’s father and I are old friends, and we’ve seen.
him grow up. Although I hoped that you two would eventually be together,
there are many things more important than love in this world, and you’ve
already wasted your talent all these years…”
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“Professor, I understand,” Celeste interrupted eagerly, her face blushed as
hell with embarrassment.
“I’ll be going abroad, and I’ll focus on my study from now on.”
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