"Kate put a lot of thought into this, but this gift is too valuable—even I, an old woman, feel embarrassed to accept it."
Seeing the smile on the old lady’s face, Kate Lynch smiled gently, "Madam, what are you saying? As long as you’re happy, everything I do is worth it."
With Kate’s gift unveiled, a real gem among pearls, the others suddenly felt too embarrassed to present their own gifts.
Kiana Sutton felt enormous pressure. She knew all about Dorian Atwood. She’d even tried to imitate his paintings before, but could only capture the form, not the soul.
Kate really was sothing, actually getting her hands on a real Atwood.
But the fact that Kate rushed to give a painting before her—maybe no one else understood her intention, but Kiana knew all too well.
Just then, Marcus Sinclair’s third daughter, Aura Sinclair, smiled at Kiana, "Fifth sister-in-law, everyone’s brought grandma a gift—what about yours?"
Instantly, everyone’s gaze fell on Kiana Sutton.
Quinn Sinclair leaned in close to Kiana, whispering, "Sis, didn’t you say you’d already prepared a gift for grandma?"
Kiana nodded. She had prepared sothing, but compared with the others’ luxurious presents, hers seed quite plain.
Even so, it was a gift she’d put a lot of care into.
She glanced over at Chelsea Chapman, and Chelsea quickly caught on, imdiately bringing over Kiana’s gift.
The present was covered with a red velvet cloth embroidered with "Pines and Cranes for Longevity." Although you couldn’t see inside, judging by the shape, it looked like a painting.
Stella Lynch saw this and said sarcastically from the side, "Miss Sutton’s gift for Madam isn’t another painting like my sister’s, is it?"
Aura Sinclair quickly chid in, "Really? Then which master’s work did you choose, sis?"
The two volleyed back and forth, instantly raising the guests’ expectations to a peak.
Quinn Sinclair glared coldly at Aura and pulled her aside, "What are you doing?"
Aura shrugged, "I’m just curious about fifth sister-in-law’s gift. Aren’t you curious?"
"Curious? You’re clearly just trying to embarrass her."
Aura yanked her arm free and scoffed, not even pretending anymore, "What did that mute ever give you to make you help her like this?"
"You..."
Quinn didn’t even get a chance to speak before Chelsea Chapman pulled off the cloth, and a portrait of the old lady imdiately appeared before everyone’s eyes.
Everyone looked from the painting to the old lady and burst into exclamations.
"My god, that’s uncanny!"
"Even the hair and every wrinkle look identical."
"Who could’ve produced such a masterpiece?"
Chelsea bead with pride at the reactions and held up the painting, saying, "Our Young Madam spent over a month painting this portrait for Madam herself."
Kiana looked at the old lady with a smile and gestured, "Grandma, Kiana wishes you a happy birthday—may your years be as long as heaven and earth, as radiant as the sun and moon."
Seeing Kiana use sign language left everyone around her stunned.
Ethan Sinclair’s three years of secret marriage was tonight’s biggest news. That he’d married a mute wife was the second biggest.
"Good, good, good... Kiana, co over here to grandma!"
Kiana walked over to the old lady, who took her hand, grinning from ear to ear, "Thank you, Kiana. Grandma loves this painting so much. I never imagined you’d make look so beautiful."
Seeing the old lady so happy, Kiana finally let out a breath of relief. "Grandma is even more beautiful than in the painting. My skills aren’t good enough—I can only capture a tiny fraction of your beauty."
The old lady chuckled and looked at Neva Sheffield beside her, "Look at this child—so good with words."
Neva nodded in agreent, "She’s a real talent!"
The Lynch Sisters’ faces turned green, especially Kate Lynch. She’d gifted a painting worth tens of millions, yet the old lady only glanced at it before putting it aside.
Kiana Sutton rely gave a painting she’d done herself, and the old lady was this happy.
Stella noticed her sister’s face go pale as if all the blood had drained out. She laughed, "Kiana, we’ve worked together so long—how co I never knew you could paint?"
As Stella spoke, she signaled to Aura Sinclair, who imdiately caught on, "Fifth sister-in-law, you didn’t just buy a painting and claim it was yours, did you?"
As the old lady’s face darkened, Rosalind Joyce yanked Aura aside. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
Aura pouted, "I’m only worried grandma might get tricked."
Pulling such a stunt in front of everyone was obviously just an attempt to humiliate Kiana Sutton.
Instantly, suspicious whispers started up around the room. Stella, seeing this, said sympathetically, "How about this—for everyone’s peace of mind, why doesn’t Miss Sutton paint sothing for right here?"
Aura knew Kiana could paint a little, but she absolutely didn’t believe Kiana was this good.
If Kiana didn’t dare paint, or couldn’t, it would definitely be a slap in the face.
A slap to herself—and to that old woman, too!
The old lady was just about to speak when Kiana looked at her with a smile, "Grandma, since Miss Lynch is so sincere in her invitation, please allow to give it a try."
When Kiana agreed, a flash of smugness flickered in Stella’s eyes.
Kiana Sutton, you’re about to pay for your arrogance.
The staff quickly brought over brushes and paper.
As Chelsea handed Kiana the brush, she worried, "Young Madam, your hand..."
Kiana gave her a reassuring smile, then walked to the easel, brush in hand.
Since her hand injury, this was the first ti Kiana had picked up a brush.
The portrait for the old lady had been completed a long ti before, back when Ethan often didn’t co ho—Kiana had finished it in silence.
All for the old lady’s eighty-eighth birthday this year.
Thankfully, she’d prepared early. Otherwise, with her current injury, she never could’ve painted sothing so good.
As for Stella...
Kiana looked up and gave a slight smile to an obviously smug Stella.
Stella: "..."
Damn Kiana Sutton, still smiling at a ti like this.
Suddenly inspired, Stella announced to the crowd, "It’s not every day we get to watch Miss Sutton paint live! Who wants to see how her masterpiece cos together?"
"We do!"
The guests, always hungry for drama, cheered at the excitent. So the organizers ca up with an idea: they projected Kiana’s entire painting process onto the big screen on stage.
Kiana wasn’t affected at all. She picked up the brush and started painting.
Ethan Sinclair stared at her back as she worked. Suddenly, a needle-like pain shot through his head—sharp and unbearable.
Liam Sinclair noticed sothing was wrong with Ethan and steadied him by the arm. "Ian, what’s wrong?"
Ethan shook his head, but his shadowy gaze never once left Kiana...
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