"Arianna, what do you think of this painting? We bought it in a charity auction in Gerland. It was worth 6.8 million dollars," Sawyer said while looking at the oil painting.
With the Clark family's background, it was not surprising that they spent so much on a gift. Perhaps I was innately inartistic, I couldn't understand why one would convert a few million worth of assets into a piece of paper that could be easily destroyed.
Out of courtesy, I accepted it with a smile, saying, "It looks great. Is this a country-styled painting?"
My ability to observe and appreciate paintings was limited, so I could only try to do my best to say as little as I could.
"This painting is known as Summer Day Walk!" A shocked expression revealed itself on Raiya's face as she exclaimed, "Have you forgotten? It's your painting!"
"What?" I was confused. "My painting?"
"That's right." Raiya nodded and continued, pleased, "Sawyer said that it was fate to have run into your artwork across the Atlantic Ocean. Buying it as a gift and gifting it to you will not only be charitable but will win your favour as well."
I had no idea how to feel as I replied, "The problem is, I can't draw. Didn't Sawyer tell you that?"
Raiya shook her head and turned to look at Sawyer blankly.
Exposed, Sawyer said with a smile, "I was teasing you. I found it weird because Arianna could not draw. I didn't want to affect your mood in the middle of a honeymoon, so I made up a lie. I'm sorry, honey."
Raiya was anxious. "What? Why didn't you say so earlier? If that's the case, doesn't that mean we didn't give Arianna anything? Sawyer! You big liar!"
Sawyer spread his arms helplessly.
Everything had already been settled. Why was the trouble not over yet?
At that moment, helplessness uncontrollably spread across my limbs. I felt a moment of numbness.
A familiar warmth spread from the back of my hand, and it was Hendrix's palm gently covering it to comfort me. Only then did I regain my senses and calm down.
Wicked people were the way they were because they were from hell. Not only did they refuse to reflect on themselves, they would also try to drag the innocent along with them. They wanted to see me panic. If I did so, I would be playing into their hands.
"That's right." Sawyer didn't rebut, his face serious. "I brought Raiya here once we landed. Someone is using these dirty tricks on you, so you have to be more careful about how you clear your name in this money laundering case. Arianna, you're a lawyer, so I won't mansplain this. It is, however, better to be prepared as early as possible in case something happens, or else it will be hard to explain yourself when the time comes."
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