chapter1130

Even with her packed schedule, Lydia never forgot her promise to Mrs. Shaw.

The week passed in a blur. By Friday afternoon, Lydia texted Mrs. Shaw to let her know the birthday painting was finally ready.

Mrs. Shaw replied almost immediately, excitement clear in every word. [Lydia, thank you so much! I'm at a party right now and can't step away. I'll have my son pick up the painting for me. The two of you can choose a place to meet, and just tell him the price he'll pay you on the spot.]

After that, Mrs. Shaw sent over a screenshot of a contact and added, [Lydia, this is my son. I've asked him to add your contact, so please accept his request.]

Lydia just stared at her screen for a second.

A new friend request popped up soon after. Lydia checked the profile and saw it really was Mrs. Shaw's son.

His username was just one character: C.

Mrs. Shaw must have told her son that Lydia was Owen, as his message came through sounding super respectful. [Owen, my mother can't make it, so I'm here to pick up the painting. Where should I meet you?]

Lydia skipped the small talk and sent him the address right away. It was a parking lot near Capital Med School.

Her car was already waiting there, painting in the back seat.

He replied almost instantly. [On my way.]

Bored, Lydia slouched in her seat and started playing a game on her phone, completely zoning out.

She didn't even notice when Carter arrived. He found her car quickly, checking his phone to double-check the location as he circled around.

Lydia was still hunched over her phone inside the car, so Carter couldn't see her

face. From the way she sat, she looked like a student-definitely young.

Could someone this young really be Owen? For a second, Carter wondered if his mom was setting him up on some weird blind date again. She was always trying to get him to meet new people.

Then he noticed the painting scroll in her lap. The girl was completely absorbed in her game but she had to be the one he was looking for. Maybe she wasn't Owen, but an assistant or apprentice.

He knocked gently on the window.

The second Lydia looked up, Carter almost thought he was seeing things. He quickly pulled his hand back, staring at her in shock.

Lydia spotted his face, which looked familiar, and couldn't help but raise her eyebrows.

So, Boris' student was Mrs. Shaw's son? The world really was tiny.

Lydia pushed open the door. A soft breeze drifted in, carrying the fresh scent of sycamore leaves from the edge of the lot and sending stray strands of her hair across her cheek.

Carter just stood there, completely stunned.

"Mi...Miracle Hands..."

Lydia gave him a small, easy smile and lifted the painting scroll. This is the birthday painting for Mr. Shaw."

Carter could barely believe it. "You... You're Owen?"

He'd been half convinced she must just be an assistant. Now he realized she was the real deal.

Lydia nodded. "That's me."

Still in shock, Carter carefully took the scroll and started to unroll it.

Right away, he was hit by the beauty of the painting. As someone who loved art himself Carter could tel immediately. The Brushstrokes had Owen's signature style. This wasn't something just anyone could create.