Lia Aiken, already seated in a taxi heading to the City District to find her senior, did not receive her father’s angry call and let out a sigh of relief.
Finally, a taste of freedom.
All thanks to the appearance of Ivan Horne.
Because of this, Lia was even more grateful to Ivan; this man was truly her lucky charm. Three years ago, when she lost inspiration, it was his silhouette that brought it back. Now, when her life fell into a predicant, it was again his silhouette painting that alleviated her crisis, even letting her father give her a bit of freedom, even if only to exploit her.
On the plane, Ivan was thinking about Lia Aiken; she seed to have a conflict with her father, but why? Is she perhaps a person with a story?
Soon, Ivan found it amusing; they were simply acquaintances, yet here he was pondering her matters.
However, Ivan admitted that eting Lia Aiken had quelled his anger over the sudden business trip, allowing him to handle unexpected situations calmly once he arrived.
If the branch office people knew this reason, they would certainly be imnsely grateful to Lia Aiken.
Lia Aiken rode the car for an hour before reaching her senior’s gallery.
Compared to her small gallery, her senior’s gallery was much larger and more upscale in decor.
Her senior was already a sowhat renowned painter in T City, while Lia struggled even to earn living expenses due to her father’s suppression. The locals of River City were afraid to buy her paintings. It was only those from out of town who, unaware and not staying long in River City, bought her paintings, as her father couldn’t act against them.
Halfway there, Lia called her senior.
When she arrived, her senior was already waiting at the gallery’s entrance.
Lia’s senior, Charlotte Lewis, perhaps due to both having ’Si’ in their nas, had gotten along exceptionally well since they t.
Charlotte was in her early thirties, married, with a lovely daughter. Despite being married and having a child, she was well-maintained, looking like a fresh graduate, sharing the sa elegance as Lia. She was dressed in a vintage-style long gown, standing there smiling, giving the impression of a beauty from the Republican era.
"Senior."
Lia paid the fare and jogged to Charlotte Lewis, "Senior, why are you standing here? It’s too hot."
"Waiting for you," Charlotte kindly took Lia’s hand, leading her inside, "I was ecstatic to receive your call."
The two hadn’t seen each other for three years.
Charlotte knew Lia was threatened by her father, felt sorry for her, yet couldn’t help.
They kept in touch via phone, with Charlotte often advising Lia not to clash with her father. At present, she couldn’t defeat him, mainly because he used her mother’s grave to threaten her.
Lia initially thought her father was rely bluffing; once, she defied him, only for her father to truly send people to vandalize her mother’s grave, even live-streaming it to her, enraging her to rush back.
After that incident, Lia understood her father ant to destroy her mother’s grave.
Thus, she remained trapped in River City.
"I’m happy too," Lia said with a veiled aning.
"Ms. Yi."
Inside the gallery, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl was painting. A two or three-year-old child was on a chair beside her, eating and slid down upon seeing Charlotte.
The teenage girl held the child to prevent her from falling.
"Mommy."
The little girl was Charlotte’s daughter, three this year, lively and active. Charlotte planned to send her to kindergarten in September.
Charlotte picked up her beloved daughter, and Lia watched enviously, teasing the little one, asking Charlotte, "Senior, your daughter is even more adorable than in the photos you post. Can I hold her?"
Charlotte taught her daughter to greet Lia before handing her to Lia.
"Pretty auntie, why haven’t I seen you before?" The little one was not at all shy, held by Lia, tilting her head to ask and praise Lia’s looks.
Lia smiled, explaining, "Auntie lives far away, so the little darling hasn’t t auntie." Then she said to her senior, "Senior, your daughter is very brave, not shy at all."
Charlotte said, "She’s indeed not shy, but when we aren’t around, strangers can’t hold her."
The little one was only not shy with people her parents knew.
The teenage girl stopped painting, stood up, smiling at Lia. After Lia sat down, Charlotte introduced them, "Lia, this is Lena, also our junior, who likes to co here to paint."
"Hello, Senior Lia, I’ve heard Sister Charlotte ntion you often. It’s great to finally et you." Lena’s na may seem common, but she herself was not; every smile and gesture showed her excellent manners. Her attire seed ordinary but in fact, all branded.
Whether it was a delusion or reality, Lia felt this junior nad Lena bore so resemblance to Ivan, but upon closer inspection, she felt differently.
Lena went to get water for Lia and Charlotte, then prepared so snacks, evidently familiar with Charlotte’s gallery, and clearly well-liked by Charlotte.
Lia and Charlotte hadn’t t for three years and had much to say.
Charlotte first asked how Lia managed to gain her father’s permission to visit.
"How could I persuade him? He’s forcing to marry Ethan Aibileen, and I refuse, so he restricts my freedom, won’t let leave River City, and stifles my gallery, trying to push to the brink, forcing to beg him."
Upon ntioning her father, Lia’s expression turned cold.
She recounted the series of events to Charlotte.
Lena, who quietly sat listening, upon hearing Lia ntion Ivan, blinked her bright, beautiful eyes constantly, observing Lia once more, with slyness flashing in her big eyes.
Further into the conversation, Charlotte advised Lia to get out and take a break.
"Traveling can help clear your mind and avoid your father’s forced marriage. I’m powerless here to protect you. Rarely do you have fleeting freedom; Lia, truly, you should go out for a while. Who knows when your dad might send soone to drag you back?"
Charlotte was also infuriated by Mr. Aiken’s actions but helpless.
She was in T City, while Lia was in River City. Though sowhat renowned, Charlotte had little influence, leaving her able only to empathize with Lia’s plight, unable to resolve it completely.
Suddenly Lena, who hadn’t spoken much, said, "Senior Lia, I agree with Charlotte. Your father is terrible. Take the chance and go out. I recomnd a wonderful place, G City, with beautiful scenery. Spend a few days there, and you’ll return brimming with inspiration."
She’d just called her almost thirty-year-old cousin who was still single, intending for him to swing by to pick her up after work. Instead, he told her he was on a sudden business trip to G City.
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