Chapter 8 Am I Also a Part of Your Couple's Play?
Kalista bit her lip. A look of grievance washed over her face. "Grandpa."
"Shut up! Don't call me grandpa!" Edmund barked, cutting her off mid-sentence.
Kalista froze. She was too scared to make a sound.
Edmund strode up to the painting, his whole body trembling with anger. "How dare you say that you were part of creating this painting?"
"This masterpiece was clearly done by Nora!"
"How could you even think of claiming the credit for something Nora poured so much time and effort into? You deceitful woman, your malice truly knows no bounds!"
Kalista's heart skipped a beat.
"Edmund knows that this painting was done by Nora?"
"Did that wretched Nora rush to take credit, boasting to Edmund before the painting even left the studio?" Kalista thought bitterly to herself.
Soon enough, Kalista regained her composure.
She bit her lip and said in a hollow voice, "Grandpa, didn't I just explain? I sketched the draft and had an artist finish it based on my outline."
"And that artist was Mrs. Foster."
"I have no idea why Mrs. Foster would show off my commissioned work to you and let you believe it was her original idea."
Katie chimed in with displeasure, "Edmund, enough with the drama!"
"I know you fancy Nora, but you can't let that cloud your judgment!"
"Even if she did the actual painting, the vision was Kalista's, and the merit should go to Kalista!"
Edmund responded in fury, "Nonsense! The concept of that painting couldn't possibly have come from Kalista!"
"I've been involved with this project from the start, describing the scene for Nora, sketching drafts and discussing them. After two years of relentless revisions, we only just completed the painting yesterday!"
All around, faces turned to expressions of shock.
"What? The idea came from Edmund?"
"Oh my, how audacious of Kalista to try and steal Edmund's credit!"
Amongst the ongoing feud between Edmund and Kalista, it was only natural for everyone to side with Edmund.
Kalista's face turned pale as panic flashed across her eyes.
She never imagined that the painting was a collaborative piece between Nora and her grandfather.
She had assumed it was solely Nora's work, and by claiming it as her own victory, no one would be able to expose her deception!
But with Edmund involved, she was instantly at a loss for words.
Katie's expression soured as she asked in a heavy tone, “Kalista, is what Edmund claims true?”
Kalista was trembling all over, mortified as she confessed, “I'm sorry, Grandma, I was confused for a moment.”
In such a situation, she couldn't possibly keep it hidden; the only option was to admit the truth.
The concept was Edmund's, and even if she remained obstinate, no one would believe her excuses.
“You better come clean. How did this painting end up with you? And why are you lying, claiming it was your original idea and that you painted it with someone else?” Edmund demanded sternly.
With tears in her eyes, Kalista said shakily, “I bought the painting from Nora for four hundred thousand, I've been duped by her too.”
“Kalista, are you sure you want to continue with these lies?” Nora spoke slowly, her voice cold, “My shop is equipped with surveillance. If you insist on your version, I won't hesitate to present the footage and let everyone see whether I willingly sold you the painting or if you coerced me into this transaction against my wishes?”
Kalista felt utterly defeated.
Nora had the surveillance; any further lies were futile.
Crying, she could only apologize, “I'm sorry. It's my fault for desperately wanting Grandma’s approval. After recognizing the painting as depicting Grandma's hometown, I became obsessed with possessing it.”
Katie's face dark with fury, removed the bracelet she had just placed on Kalista's wrist.
“Stay away from the Porter Family in the future!”
Then, turning to Nora, she said, “If your painting was stolen, why didn't you retrieve it?”
Nora softly replied, “Grandma, that was a piece Isaac personally took, how could I reclaim it?”
The revelation astonished everyone.
The painting had been forcibly taken from Nora by Isaac to help Kalista?
Poor Nora.
Katie glared at her fiercely.
Nora was indeed a thorn in her eyes.
Revealing this about Isaac in front of everyone - was she trying to ruin his reputation?
No wonder she never liked Nora; the woman seriously lacked substance!
With a deep breath and a stern face, she shoved the bracelet into Nora's hands.
"It's well-crafted. This bracelet is for you. Wear it well."
Nora didn't want it.
Anything worn by Kalista was of no interest to her.
Yet, in front of so many people, she couldn't well reject Katie's offering.
"Thanks, Grandma."
Nora took the bracelet, but didn't slip it on her wrist.
Katie was visibly irritated.
"'Nora, you’re as unlikable as ever!' Katie thought to herself.
Then Katie commanded, "Someone escort the irrelevant person out; don't let her dampen everyone's spirits!"
It was clear who she was referring to.
Kalista was shaking with fury.
Especially beneath the scrutiny of those around her, she felt utterly disgraced.
If she was to be cast out, she would become a laughing stock in the circles of the elite, unable to hold her head high again.
Desperately, she sought help from Isaac.
But Isaac's eyes were cold and indifferent, not meeting her pleading gaze.
Kalista gritted her teeth in frustration.
It seemed she had no choice but to expose Nora's secret.
Kalista suddenly raised her voice. "Grandpa, Grandma, there's a crucial secret I must reveal—it's about the honor of the Porter family!"
She pointed accusingly at Nora and declared vehemently, "Nora has been seeing another man! She has betrayed Isaac and shamed the name of the Porter family!"
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