Chapter 404

The crisp afternoon air carried the scent of freshly brewed coffee from nearby stalls as Evelyn returned, her arms laden with supplies. Rosalind's brow furrowed in confusion when she saw the small folding table and art supplies.

With practiced ease, Evelyn set up the makeshift workstation. She selected a pristine sheet of paper and began mixing ink with precise movements. The brush danced across the surface as she wrote in elegant calligraphy: "Free original ink painting with purchases over 100 dollars."

Rosalind's gasp was audible. "Isabella, these people are simple market-goers. They wouldn't recognize fine art if it-"

Evelyn silenced her with a knowing smile. Her fingers flew across her phone screen as she logged into her official Isabella Grayson account. The post went live instantly: "Supporting a friend's stall today. Special offer - complimentary painting with qualifying purchases."

"Just wait," Evelyn murmured, arranging her brushes with ceremonial care.

Rosalind twisted her apron nervously. "Your paintings sell for thousands at galleries. My entire inventory isn't worth one stroke of your brush. Please, don't devalue your art for me."

Evelyn held up the freshly inked sign. "I donate paintings to charity auctions regularly. Consider this another form of philanthropy." She dipped her brush with a flourish. "Besides, these quick pieces won't be gallery quality."

The skepticism lingered in Rosalind's eyes until the first luxury sedan arrived. Then another. Within thirty minutes, twelve high-end vehicles lined the curb, their polished surfaces reflecting the afternoon sun like mirrors.

A procession of sharply dressed men formed an orderly queue. Their tailored suits and polished shoes seemed out of place among the market's colorful chaos. Art dealers. Personal assistants to collectors. All bearing the same request: "I'll take everything. Might I request your signature on the artwork?"

Evelyn's refusal was polite but firm. "No signatures. No photographs. No framing services."

She knew authenticated pieces could fetch astronomical prices at auction. That wasn't the point today. Yet despite her conditions, demand became frenzied.

Rosalind's entire stall sold out within the hour. Customers clutched their purchases like winning lottery tickets, eagerly awaiting their free masterpieces. The crowd swelled with each passing minute.

Word spread like wildfire through art circles. Isabella Grayson giving away original works? The resulting stampede cleared Rosalind's inventory down to the folding chairs. "100 dollars! 1000! Name your price!" desperate collectors begged.

Media vans arrived, their satellite dishes sprouting like metallic flowers. The entire street benefited from the sudden influx of wealthy patrons. By the second hour, #IsabellaGraysonMarket had trended nationwide.

In a quiet café nearby, Evelyn savored the shepherd's pie Rosalind had insisted on buying. Across the table, her friend stared at her phone in stunned silence, fingers trembling as she refreshed her banking app.

"I always knew you were talented," Rosalind whispered. "But seeing your influence firsthand..." Her voice trailed off in awe.

Evelyn dabbed her lips with a napkin. "So? How much did we make today?"

Rosalind's laugh bordered on hysterical. "I stocked maybe 300 dollars worth of crafts." She turned the screen to reveal the balance. "They paid 100 dollars just for my rusty cash box!"