“Neither do I. Don’t judge when you can’t even draw.”
“Can someone who can’t draw simply comment on Master Lacroix’s artwork? That’s pretty shameless.”
“I think the master’s painting is perfect. Why is that girl acting like she’s very knowledgeable about art?”
The crowd’s criticisms were getting harsher and harsher. However, happiness glowed inside May Conner when she heard them. ‘You’re dead this time, Xyla…’
“I might have known nothing about French paintings before. But how can you be so sure that I’m still the same after so many years?” Xyla met her eyes apathetically.
“Do you think that French painting is something that can be learned overnight?” May jabbed, “Besides, learning it and mastering it are two different cases…”
“That’s right. Are you even qualified to judge Master Lacroix? Paint yourself then if you’re so good at it.”
“Is Master Lacroix someone who can be simply attacked by a novice painter? Show us your paintings if you think you’re better than Master Lacroix!”
“Do you even know how to respect seniors? Stop acting like an attention seeker…”
The onlookers surrounding them were getting indignant at the way Xyla behaved.
Sharon Lindt kept a straight face the whole time, coldly scanning the crowds and May. “Do you guys want to be dragged out by my bodyguards? How do you know if Xyla is good or bad at painting? What does it have to do with you?”
“This girl is right. I did not paint this picture with enough care and concentration…” Suddenly, a man’s voice echoed across the hall.
There and then, everyone subconsciously looked in the direction of that voice.
A white-haired elder dressed in a traditional tunic gradually came into sight. He made his way through the crowd and walked up to Xyla directly.
Everyone in the hall recognized the old man at once. He was Master Wilmer Lacroix. As soon as Wilmer had made his point, the babbling crowd shut their mouths in shock
“I was in a bad mood when I painted this, so I was performing well below par. However, I decided to display it anyway because the mistakes weren’t too obvious… I thought normal people wouldn’t be able to notice anything.” As Wilmer spoke, he fixed his gaze on Xyla.
He stared at her with eyes full of acclamation. “Little girl, I can tell that you’re quite knowledgeable about French paintings. In fact, I’ve overheard your evaluation of me, and I’ve been observing you for a long time… I don’t think you’re ‘someone who can’t draw’. There are some blank canvas and paint on the table over there. Why don’t you draw something and show me?”
“Master, I appreciate your acknowledgment, but I’m afraid that you think too highly of me…” Xyla shook her head. Since today was Master Lacroix’s art exhibition, she did not want to steal his thunder.
“You’re too modest, girl. Come, show me,” Wilmer said again.
“Master Lacroix, please don’t give Xyla a hard time. She hasn’t learned much about painting.” May glanced at Wilmer and pleaded.
Subsequently, she approached Xyla and hugged her arm intimately, pretending to help to take the heat off her. “She can’t do it.”
“I agree… Master, she can critique but that doesn’t mean she can draw…”
“Yeah.”
The clueless onlookers followed suit and jeered at Xyla.
“Please… Girl.” Without paying any heed to their malicious comment, Wilmer squeezed through the crowd and headed straight to the table.
“Show them, Xyla. Prove them wrong.” Sharon gave Xyla a confident look.
She knew that her daughter-in-law was an excellent lady. If she could make such professional comments on that painting, she must be really outstanding at French painting.
Taking one last look at the people around her, Xyla gripped Sharon’s hand and strode across the hall to Wihner’s table. Wilmer waved his arm at Xyla gratifyingly as though to encourage her.
Without further delay, Xyla picked up the brush next to her.
