Throughout the crowd, sycophants mingled with Luciano’s devoted protégés—people who had tied their fortunes to his reputation. At Elliana’s words, fury rippled through them like electricity, some nearly vibrating with rage as they contemplated physical confrontation with Elliana.

Yet, Elliana stood unwavering, a lighthouse amid stormy seas, her gaze carrying the slightest edge of mockery. The crowd’s accusations washed over her like water off glass, the anger radiating from Luciano and Paige barely registering in her composed demeanor. The live stream’s comment section exploded with disbelief.

“Is this happening? Elliana actually challenges Mr. Scott’s oil painting expertise?”

“Mr. Scott commands absolute authority in Ublento’s art community, yet this complete novice displays such audacity!”

“Pure jealousy, nothing more. Paige shines so brilliantly that Elliana can’t compete—so she creates chaos instead!”

Luciano, accustomed to reverence bordering on worship, typically heard nothing but honeyed praise. Today’s double offense—first Elliana’s cutting retort, now this questioning of his artistic credentials—transformed his face into a thundercloud.

Luciano scowled. “Elliana, since you claim I lack understanding of oil painting, you must consider yourself quite the virtuoso. Why not enlighten millions of viewers with your critique of Spring Goddess? Let’s witness your supposed expertise!”

Rage had stripped away Luciano’s carefully cultivated veneer, leaving his true nature exposed.

Elliana savored the effect of her calculated barb. Rather than retreating, she poured gasoline on the flames. “You’re not qualified to request my commentary!”

“You!” Luciano’s face contorted with fury as his hand lashed out toward Elliana.

Paige, maintaining a thread of strategic awareness, swiftly intercepted his strike. Elliana’s status as a plain Jane married into the Evans family—long dismissed as impulsive and foolish—afforded her the luxury of arrogance without significant repercussions. But Luciano striking Elliana on camera would ignite a firestorm of controversy.

News of such an assault would consume social media, derailing his carefully orchestrated plans.

Feel inspired by g?lnσν?s?

Paige hastily said, “Please compose yourself, Mr. Scott. Our parents have indulged Elliana since infancy, and I’ve continued this pattern of leniency. Her behavior stems from lifelong spoiling. I offer my deepest apologies on her behalf.”

Paige’s intervention pierced Luciano’s rage-filled haze. Recognizing his near-catastrophic mistake, he released a contemptuous snort before sweeping away with a theatrical flick of his sleeve.

Paige shot Elliana a venomous glare before hurrying after Luciano. Haley barked orders at the camera crew to follow, the entire entourage abandoning Elliana like debris in their wake.

Though Elliana vanished from the frame after this confrontation, the live stream’s comment section continued dissecting her behavior with savage enthusiasm.

“Did you see how Elliana provoked Mr. Scott? The once-dignified maestro nearly shattered his composure!”

“Elliana truly embodies her reputation for reckless idiocy—speaking without a thought for consequences.”

“I’ve heard she abandoned education before completing elementary school. This behavior confirms her profound ignorance. Thank heavens Paige stepped in to salvage the situation, or the entire broadcast would have crumbled.”

Elliana glanced at her phone, scanning the vitriolic comments flooding the stream. A smile of satisfaction curved her lips. Perfect. Public sentiment continued fermenting exactly as planned. The higher they elevated Paige now, the more spectacular her fall would be tonight.

In the subsequent segment, Luciano guided the audience through a series of masterpieces, waxing poetic about artistic nuance while subtly promoting the Ublento Art Museum. Paige orbited him like a dutiful satellite, seizing every opportunity to showcase her rehearsed lines.

Throughout this carefully choreographed performance, several traps had been set specifically for Elliana, but her ability to derail the program with mere words—pushing each scene toward chaos—had made Paige too cautious to risk implementing the remaining snares. Elliana luxuriated in her earned freedom, observing Paige and Luciano’s performance from beyond the camera’s predatory eye.

The broadcast continued uninterrupted, flowing into midday. After the morning exploration of the Ublento Art Museum, the program shifted to an elaborate luncheon with Luciano.

Throughout the meal, conversation remained anchored in artistic theory, with Paige’s status now inflated to nearly mythic proportions. The comment section unanimously crowned Paige the program’s radiant star—the perfect amalgamation of beauty and artistic brilliance.

Following lunch came the moment for participants to demonstrate their creative abilities. Luciano would provide instruction while everyone attempted to create paintings under his guidance. He would then critique the final works, with exceptional performers potentially earning his mentorship.

To Elliana, this segment represented the most transparent manipulation yet. Oil painting required years of disciplined study, not a single televised lesson. True mastery demanded a solid foundation and relentless practice. Those without previous training would inevitably produce childish scrawls within the program’s compressed timeframe. The conclusion had been scripted from the start: Paige would dazzle, ascending to become Luciano’s protégé amid celestial fanfare, while everyone else faded into insignificant background noise. But contract-bound participants had surrendered their autonomy the moment they signed. They were nothing but corporate chess pieces, moved according to invisible profit calculations.

Entering the classroom, Elliana deliberately selected her painting materials, casting a loaded glance toward Luciano and Paige. Today, she would dismantle the financial empire supporting Paige’s charade…

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