Chapter 9 So-So
On the day of Louise’s art exhibition, Vanessa spent more than an hour putting on delicate makeup. Her smooth, long hair was braided down her neck, with some stray strands framing her forehead. She wore a loose, apricot-colored silk blouse and a green knee-length skirt, which made her look both elegant and sexy at the same time.
When Edmund saw Vanessa, he couldn’t help but whistle. “Vanessa, when are you going to get yourself a boyfriend? Can I be the first on the list?”
Vanessa was amused. “Don’t be ridiculous.”
“It’s not a joke.” Edmund took off his sunglasses and looked down at her. He was indeed serious.
Vanessa was stunned. She didn’t want to start a new relationship for the time being, nor did she want to date any of the younger stars in her company. Instead of answering him, she got into the Maserati directly.
Edmund didn’t mind and diverted the topic. “Don’t worry, Vanessa. Nicole has told me everything. I will definitely get back at them for you today!”
Letting out a sigh of relief, Vanessa smiled, “Looks like I’ve got to count on you today.” “No problem!”
A while later, the blue Maserati stopped at the gate of Louise’s exhibition, attracting many people’s attention.
After unfastening her seat belt, Vanessa got out of the car and linked her arm with Edmund’s before entering.
The security guard at the door stopped them. “Sir, Miss, your invitations, please.”
Vanessa then took out the two invitation passes from her bag and handed them to him. Only after he confirmed that there was nothing wrong did he let them in.
In addition to Louise’s paintings, there were also many artworks by famous painters showcased in the gallery. Hence, not everyone could attend the exhibition. Although the Keillor family was no match for the Bates, it was still a well-known family in Riverville. Louise’s art gallery had a span of nearly six thousand square feet. “Its annual rent was close to three million dollars, not to mention the cost of the interior decorations. Vanessa happened to recognize the chandelier hanging from the ceiling. It was designed by an Italian artist and was worth over one million on its own. Many of the counters had been moved away, leaving a large space for the visitors to walk around. Louise’s paintings were indeed quite interesting, although Vanessa couldn’t really understand the meanings behind them. A lot of reporters were also at the scene. After all, it was an exhibition by the daughter of the Keillor family.
Edmund wore simple and casual clothes today. He was in a shirt and apricot straight-leg pants. Besides, he had a pair of sunglasses on too. Surprisingly, the media didn’t recognize him at first glance. When Vanessa went to the second floor, she caught sight of Louise in the distance. Louise was wearing a long dress, with her hair softly cascading down her back, exuding a gentle and lovely aura.
Killian hadn’t arrived yet. Louise had looked downstairs to scan for his presence several times.
As Vanessa and Edmund continued exploring the second floor, they found that there was an open-air balcony.
Three parasols could be seen placed over there, with chairs under each of them. Next to them was a painted wall. In the extra corner of that wall, there were free desserts and beverages. Since everyone was still outside, the balcony was pretty quiet at the moment.
Looking at Edmund, Vanessa asked, “Let’s sit here for a while.”
“Okay!” of sunglasses on too. Surprisingly, the media didn’t recognize him at first glance. When Vanessa went to the second floor, she caught sight of Louise in the distance. Louise was wearing a long dress, with her hair softly cascading down her back, exuding a gentle and lovely aura.
Killian hadn’t arrived yet. Louise had looked downstairs to scan for his presence several times.
As Vanessa and Edmund continued exploring the second floor, they found that there was an open-air balcony.
Three parasols could be seen placed over there, with chairs under each of them. Next to them was a painted wall. In the extra corner of that wall, there were free desserts and beverages. Since everyone was still outside, the balcony was pretty quiet at the moment.
Looking at Edmund, Vanessa asked, “Let’s sit here for a while.”
“Okay!” Vanessa knew nothing much about the arts, so she couldn’t bring herself to appreciate them. While the rest of the visitors were talking about Vincent van Gogh and Leonardo da Vinci, Vanessa and Edmund were chatting about the recent gossip in the entertainment circle.
“Unlike Nicole, Vanessa wasn’t a gossipy person, but it didn’t matter to hear some occasionally. With the free desserts and cakes as well as the company of the handsome man, Vanessa felt that she could sit here for the whole afternoon.
However, on second thought, she had come here to annoy Ella and the others. Putting down her juice, she cast a glance at Edmund and picked up her bag. “It’s about time. Let’s go.”
Before they could enter, Ella’s surprised voice came through. “Why are you here?” Ella had an indescribable sense of superiority whenever she saw Vanessa. However, the former could easily get dissatisfied upon seeing how beautiful Vanessa was.
Hence, Ella couldn’t help but sneer at Vanessa every time she saw the other woman. Today was no exception either. “Do you know where this is? It isn’t a place for someone like you to come, Vanessa. Could it be that you knew Killian “would be here, so you came here on purpose to beg him to remarry you?”
The more Ella said, the more she felt that she was right.
“I’m telling you, Vanessa; don’t even think about it! If you want to reconcile with Killian, beg me first, then. Perhaps I can help to intercede. Even though I know he still won’t agree to your request in the end, you can still have a few words with him, at least. What do you think? There are only a few people here anyway. You…”
It wasn’t until now that she realized Vanessa had a man with her who looked familiar. As soon as Ella confirmed that it was Edmund, her expression changed drastically. uh “H…How
did
you
get
together
with
Edmund?”
Without giving her a reply, Vanessa turned to look at Edmund.
Edmund took off his sunglasses and said, “I accompanied Vanny here.”
“Ah! How can you do this? Why?” Ella had her eyes fixed on Edmund and was on the verge of crying.
On the other hand, Vanessa kept silent the whole time and looked at Ella as if she was watching a clown.
After a while, Vanessa said, “Let’s go.”
Ella was about to lose her mind. She had thought that the photos from a few days ago had been deliberately taken by the paparazzi from special angles to create misunderstandings. She kept comforting herself that Edmund had nothing to do with Vanessa, nor would he ever have. However, right now, her idol was standing with Vanessa.
How could Vanessa be worthy of it?
“Stop right there!” Ella shouted.
Unfortunately, no one paid any attention to her. Vanessa entered the gallery with Edmund again. The corners of his lips were slightly curled. They had their heads: lowered while talking about something with each other.
Ella was so angry that her eyes reddened. When she realized what had happened, she immediately ran into the room.
Not long after Edmund and Vanessa entered, they bumped into Killian and Louise. A large group of reporters were behind them, having cameras in their hands.
The atmosphere seemed to have frozen for a moment until Louise parted her lips. “Miss James, it has been a while.”
Vanessa nodded. “I’m quite free, so I came over to have a look. Your art exhibition is good.”
Louise seemed surprised. “I never thought that you would like them. It’s my honor.” What a good act Louise had put on. Although she didn’t say it, many people felt that she was mocking Vanessa for pretending to understand what art was all about.
Vanessa raised her brows. “I don’t know much about art, but it seems that Edmund was in this industry before he debuted.” After a pause, she asked Edmund, “What do you think of Miss Keillor’s painting?” “So-so.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes at him. “Miss Keillor will drive us out if you say that.”
Louise’s face was dark. However, she could only force out a smile when she heard Vanessa’s words. “Mr. Morgan, you have a good evaluation. I’m indeed not as good as you.”
Without any modesty, Edmund replied, “I hope you don’t mind that I asked my manager to refuse your cooperation last time.”
“No, I don’t mind.” Looking at Louise, who was gritting her teeth, Vanessa felt that it was enough. She looked back at Edmund and said, “Well, if I had known that you didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have come. Let’s go and not waste Miss Keillor’s time.”
“Okay, Vanny.”
Then, they turned around and left. Throughout the time, Vanessa didn’t even spare a glance at the man next to Louise. On the contrary, Killian had his dark gaze fixed on Vanessa. When he heard Edmund call her “Vanny,” it sounded harsh and unpleasant in his ears. He wondered what kind of relationship they had for Edmund to address her so intimately.
