Chapter 50
All eyes turned to the young woman slowly making her way forward in a wheelchair.
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She looked in her early 20s, her long hair styled in two braids. Buter face, which should have been bright and full of life, held a maturity far beyond her years.
As the crowd watched her approach, the reporters suddenly sprang into action, swinging their cameras in her direction.
Every reporter there could sense a big story. It was going to be a goldmine.
Sienna’s face twisted in shock. She had never expected Sadie to show up like this.
Panic flashed across her features, impossible to hide. She demanded, “Who are you? Who put you up to slandering me?”
Sadie held her gaze, cold and unflinching. “Everything I said is true. No one sent me to slander you. I’m here to expose the truth, so no one else falls for your lies.”
When she finished speaking, Sadie wheeled closer to the painting Quagmire“.
“This painting came from my darkest moment, instead of pain or despair. It’s about finding the courage to reach for the light, even when stuck in the mire. I’ll never stop fighting, even if the struggle leaves me scarred.”
She lifted her chin, pointing to a tiny patch of green among the ruins. “See this? This is hope breaking through–my fresh start. And that’s why I’m here.”
Sadie spun around to face Sienna, jabbing a finger at her. “I don’t care what happens today or how much backlash I get. I’m exposing her. I was Sienna’s ghost artist. Every single piece she’s famous for? I painted them.”
The crowd burst into gasps.
Meanwhile, Natalie was too busy soaking in the masterpiece unfolding on Sienna’s face. She wouldn’t miss a second of it..
As the room hung in stunned silence, Natalie put on her shocked expression and seized control of the conversation.
“So, Ms. Spencer, none of those pieces were actually yours? That explains why your style ‘magically‘ shifted from realism to abstract overnight. Did you honestly think we wouldn’t notice? How could you do this to everyone who trusted you?”
As Natalie’s words sank in, the crowd buzzed with murmurs.
“Amanda’s got a point. I remember Sienna used to paint realistic landscapes. It was weird when she suddenly switched to abstract art. Now we know why. She had a ghost artist.”
“Exactly! Even during her talk earlier, something didn’t add up. The way she explained the painting felt off. But after what that lady said, it all makes sense now.”
“Seems like this lady’s telling the truth. Sienna’s been fooling all of us. What a disgrace to the art world!”
The harsh words sent Sienna into a panic, but Daphne was quick to intervene.
She glared at Sadie and snapped, “I don’t care who sent you. If you’re going to make accusations, you’d better have proof. Otherwise, this is slander, and I won’t think twice about calling the police.”
Sadie didn’t even blink. “Who says I don’t have proof?”
What? She had proof?
Daphne’s eyes widened in disbelief. Sienna looked just as stunned.
Then, within seconds, every phone in the room buzzed one after another. As people tapped open the video they’d just received, a wave of shock spread through the crowd.
“Here’s 100,000 dollars–payment for this batch of paintings. Remember. No one can find out I hired you as a ghost artist.
Chapter 50.
“Don’t worry. As long as you keep working with me, I’ll make sure you and your grandmother are taken care of.
“Sadie, I need a painting that’ll put me back on top. You’ve got to help me.”
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