Chapter 42

Evelyn felt a warm flutter in her chest as she turned to gaze up at Liam. Though he stood just six feet tall, the commanding aura surrounding him made him appear invincible - a pillar of strength she could always lean on.

Victoria approached Margaret with a carefully rolled parchment tube in hand. Her lips curved into a practiced smile. "Grandmother, I'm Victoria Dawson. Do you still recognize me?"

Margaret's welcoming expression hardened as her eyes narrowed. That wretched girl's face was permanently etched in her memory - the scheming homewrecker who'd tried to steal Liam years ago.

"Not particularly," Margaret replied with deliberate indifference.

Victoria remained unfazed. The old woman's Alzheimer's made this reaction perfectly understandable.

Her true objective wasn't Margaret's approval anyway. Tonight's birthday gala presented the perfect stage to showcase her brilliance before Liam and the entire Blackwood family.

Victoria intended to dazzle every guest with both her beauty and extravagant gift for Margaret.

"Bring it forward!" she commanded.

Servants swiftly arranged several tables into one long display surface at her instruction. The gathered aristocrats exchanged puzzled glances.

With theatrical flair, Victoria removed the tube's cap and extracted a thick scroll. She gestured for Cassandra to help unroll the massive artwork across the six-foot-five-inch surface.

Gasps rippled through the crowd as an exquisite ink wash painting was revealed in all its glory.

Victoria guided Margaret to her feet. "Grandmother, I know how deeply you cherish Solterra's traditional culture - your passion for classical artifacts and especially ink paintings."

"I went to extraordinary lengths to acquire this at auction. 'Ode to Autumn' is an authentic masterpiece by the renowned contemporary artist Isabella Grayson. May it bring you health and longevity."

The elite guests, all connoisseurs of fine art, immediately recognized the significance. They clustered around the painting, murmuring appreciatively.

Just as Victoria predicted, Margaret's interest was piqued. A genuine smile returned as she studied the sprawling artwork.

Isabella Grayson's skill was undeniable. Using only black ink, she'd captured autumn's essence with breathtaking vitality - the setting sun casting golden light over distant maple forests, a lone ferryman poling his boat across ink-wash waters.

The scene felt so alive, viewers could almost step into its tranquil beauty.

An elderly art collector exclaimed, "Good heavens! This is undoubtedly an original Grayson! Her works now fetch upwards of fifty million! Every piece is museum-worthy!"

"Who is this Isabella Grayson?" someone asked curiously.

Eager to showcase her knowledge, Victoria launched into an explanation. "Isabella Grayson is Solterra's most celebrated young artist. Her technique is utterly unique - she streams her creative process online."

"Each completed work is auctioned digitally, with all proceeds donated to charity. Though she never shows her face - only her hands and brush - she's become a legendary figure."

"Grayson seeks neither fame nor fortune. Her entire earnings go to philanthropic causes, earning praise from organizations worldwide. People collect her art not just for its beauty, but to contribute to her noble mission."

Evelyn, an art enthusiast herself, studied the painting intently before returning to Liam's side.

Margaret approached and whispered, "My dear, what do you think of the painting?"

Evelyn nodded thoughtfully. "The technique is masterful, but..."

She hesitated to continue.

"Speak freely," Margaret encouraged.

Leaning close, Evelyn murmured, "Grandmother, I don't believe this is authentic. It's an exceptional forgery, but a forgery nonetheless."

Margaret's eyes widened dramatically. "What?" she exclaimed loudly for effect. "It's a fake?"