The Divorcee Amazed the World

Kelly carefully considered his words, returned to the study, and with a forced smile, said to Helena, “I’m sorry, Helena. My client just called and expressed some dissatisfaction. How about you check if there’s anyone else interested in the painting?”

She struggled to move the muscles on her face and forced out a smile uglier than crying, “Oh, I see. Well, forget about it then.”Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Twisting his hands uncomfortably, Kelly apologized, “I’m really sorry, Helena.”

“It’s okay.” Helena slowly walked to the desk and started to roll up the painting.

Her arms were so stiff that she could hardly lift them, and she had a feeling of being wronged, almost wanting to cry. She had dedicated so much time to the painting, neglecting sleep and meals, even dreaming about it at night.

She felt that this painting was one of the best she had copied in almost twenty years. The composition was perfect, the momentum was majestic, the details were realistic, and it had sound, color, and emotion.

Yet, it was completely denied by Kelly and his client.

For a moment, she even doubted her own abilities.

After struggling to roll up the painting, Helena took it and left.

*****

The maid came up and knocked on the door, calling her for dinner.

Helena, feeling upset, said, “I’m not hungry. You go ahead and have your dinner. You can leave after you finish.”

The maid sensed her unhappiness and hurried downstairs to call Willis.

As soon as the call was answered, she anxiously said, “Mr. Santana, Mrs. Santana doesn’t seem to be in a good mood. In the afternoon, she left with the painting, and when she came back in the evening, she looked very sad. She even skipped dinner.”

Willis frowned and checked his watch, “I’ll finish the meeting in ten minutes. Wait for me, and I’ll come over.”

“Okay, Mr. Santana.”

Willis went to her side, sat beside her, and pulled her into his arms, gently asking, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

“You won’t tell me; who else are you going to tell?”

Indeed, apart from him, she had no one else to talk to.

Helena weakly smiled, “It’s nothing.”

“If you don’t tell me, who will you tell?”

In fact, there was no one else.

Helena palely smiled, “The other party didn’t want the painting.”

“So it’s because of this.” Willis took out his wallet from his pants pocket, pulled out a card, “I’ll take it. I’ll pay double.”

Helena pushed the card back into his wallet, “It’s not about the money.”

It was about her efforts not being acknowledged, her confidence being crushed, and even her judgment being questioned.

Willis silently held her for a while, then let go, stood up, and went out to call his assistant.

After the call was connected, he instructed, “Check if Kelly has made any international calls recently. Also, investigate if there’s any foreign wealthy person who has an interest in ancient paintings.”

“Okay, Mr. Santana. I’ll arrange for the investigation immediately.”

Willis gave a faint acknowledgment and ended the call.

Kelly made a fortune by selling cultural relics, and Willis was aware of that. Since Kelly didn’t want the painting, he must be selling it to foreign clients.

Since Kelly refused, Willis decided to skip him and go directly to the original client.

Half an hour later, the assistant called, “Mr. Santana, after the investigation, we’ve identified a person named Frank, who has close dealings with Kelly.”

Willis raised the corner of his lips, “Help me arrange a meeting with him right away!”