Chapter 38 : Stolen Rights

As Angela observed Lara and Fredrick's suspicious behavior towards the new arrivals, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Their excessive attention and actions seemed overwhelming, and Angela was disappointed by their deceitful intentions. Nevertheless, she kept her observations to herself, waiting to see how Leonardo would respond to the situation.
Leonardo's inquiries continued, and he asked Angela to describe Mrs. Aries, the woman Fredrick had mentioned. Angela detailed the appearance of the woman Fredrick was conversing with amidst the elegant crowd. However, Leonardo confidently stated that the woman Angela described couldn't be Mrs. Aries because she was a small, slim-bodied woman.
Angela couldn't comprehend Fredrick's motivations for lying and betraying Leonardo, but she maintained her silence, awaiting Leonardo's next move. She could sense his frustration and anger, evident from the look on his face. In an attempt to calm himself, Leonardo requested Angela to find a veranda or an open space where he could get some fresh air. Angela located a veranda facing the mountains, sparsely populated with a few individuals. Leonardo's anger was palpable to her, and he muttered, "They were planning something."
Angela wished to comfort Leonardo, but she knew it wasn't the right time to delve further into the situation with the visitors. They remained silent for a while, and eventually, Leonardo started to relax. He instructed Angela to return inside and mentally count the paintings marked as "SOLD." Leonardo's emphasis on the task was clear, and Angela nodded before disappearing back into the party, leaving Leonardo to gather his thoughts on the veranda.
A few moments later, Angela meticulously navigated her way from one painting to another, mentally cataloging every detail she had observed. She diligently kept track of the ones that had been sold, from the intricate hand and finger paintings to the larger pieces, and a sense of satisfaction filled her. As she returned to Leonardo's side, she discovered him engaged in conversation with Fredrick.
"Angela is here," Fredrick informed Leonardo, his tone indicating his need to check outside for another wealthy collector. With that, Fredrick swiftly retreated into the exhibit hall without sparing Angela a glance, leaving her feeling somewhat diminished in his eyes that night.
Perplexed by Leonardo's expression, Angela sensed a hint of sadness etched upon his face. "Leonardo, what's the matter?" she inquired with concern.
"I will never paint again, Angela," Leonardo's voice resonated with hurt and disappointment.
"Why?" Angela furrowed her brow, unable to comprehend his sudden desolation.
"They didn't appreciate my paintings. The essence I infused into them has vanished. It's all gone to waste. My art is utterly futile," Leonardo bemoaned, his spirit crushed by recent events, triggering an unsettling reaction within Angela.
"How can you say that?" Angela's confusion deepened as she tried to make sense of the situation.
"Just now, Fredrick informed me that my client showed little interest in my new paintings, particularly 'The Perspective of the Blind' and my latest creation," Leonardo revealed, his voice heavy with disappointment.
"That's impossible!" Angela erupted, her anger barely contained. "All your paintings were marked as SOLD." Vividly, she recalled every scene she had witnessed inside the exhibit—the resounding success, the buyers' enthusiasm as they eagerly acquired every one of Leonardo's masterpieces, including Fredrick's captivating Spiral Staircase.
"Fredrick had a painting of a spiral?" Leonardo's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Yes," Angela affirmed. "It was prominently displayed on the ramp, standing tall, and it too had the 'SOLD' sign beside it."
"That conniving scoundrel," Leonardo seethed, his face flushing with anger and betrayal.
Angela became acutely aware that Leonardo had fallen victim to the deceitful machinations of Lara and Fredrick, and a burning desire to expose the two villains welled up within her. However, before she could act, Leonardo halted her with a resolute gesture. He had another plan brewing in his mind. Still, Angela couldn't help but feel a pang of pity for him, knowing how he had been deceived.
"Let them revel in their web of lies," Leonardo uttered grimly. "Let's slip away unnoticed and return home."

The drive back was filled with an unsettling silence, as Angela refrained from discussing the events that had unfolded. She understood that Leonardo needed time to gather his thoughts and restrain his anger, rendering her hesitant to broach the subject. Only Mrs. Vera, with her motherly concern, mustered the courage to question her son.
"Why did we leave the exhibition so early, Leonardo?" Mrs. Vera inquired, sensing that something was amiss.
"I'm not feeling well, Mom," Leonardo curtly responded, effectively shutting down any further inquiry. He retreated to his room in silence.
Leonardo immediately requested a bottle of wine from Angela, and although she was inclined to oppose, she sensed a storm brewing within his heart and mind. Reluctantly, she acquiesced, allowing him to drown his sorrows. In a corner of the room, Leonardo sat quietly, his legs crossed upon the floor.
Angela decided to perch herself on the edge of the bed near the door, her gaze fixed upon Leonardo in profound silence, apprehensive of uttering a word that might ignite his temper.
"I can't fathom how they could betray me like this," Leonardo groaned, anguish evident in his voice. "To think that he, my friend, would stoop so low as to deceive me."
As Leonardo's words hung in the air, Angela could sense the weight of his hurt and betrayal, and her heart ached in empathy.
Angela could sense the deep-seated resentment within Leonardo, his disbelief at the extent of Fredrick's deception weighing heavily on him. Fredrick had cunningly manipulated the situation, fabricating false information about the sold paintings, misrepresenting visitors' comments, and even providing incorrect names. It troubled Angela greatly.
"You have to confront Sir Fredrick and demand a full account of what transpired with the sale of the paintings," Angela insisted, her voice laced with concern.
"Forget it," Leonardo growled, his frustration palpable. "That leech will pay for what he's done." He seethed between clenched teeth, simmering with a mixture of anger and betrayal.
"At the very least, you should make it clear to them that you're aware of their deceit," Angela pressed, deeply affected by the theft of Leonardo's artwork. She couldn't fathom why he was letting it slide. "They stole your paintings."
"Forget about the art exhibit," Leonardo retorted, his voice laced with bitterness. "Let them live with their web of lies and face the consequences of their actions someday." His fist tightened against the floor, his wounded ego inflicted by his best friend and fiancée cutting him to the core. "Leave me alone!"
Leonardo's sudden outburst startled Angela, causing her to spring to her feet. "If you're angry, let them suffer!" she exclaimed, frustration and helplessness welling up within her.
Yet Leonardo's resolve to forget about the shocking revelation they had uncovered that night remained unyielding. Angela detected a different kind of anger simmering within his eyes, accompanied by shimmering tears at the corners. Understanding that pushing further would only intensify his pain, she silently walked to the door and gently closed it, choosing to stand guard over Leonardo that night.
After several hours, Leonardo succumbed to exhaustion and drifted into a deep sleep on the floor. Angela, with a heavy heart, slowly rose from her vigil and meticulously cleaned the floor, ensuring there was no trace of the earlier turmoil. She carefully covered Leonardo with a blanket, shielding him from the world, and discreetly tucked away the wine glass and empty bottle. With a somber demeanor, she quietly exited Leonardo's room, carrying the weight of their shared burden.
As Angela entered the deserted lobby, a heavy silence settled around her, accompanied by the biting chill of the night wind that seeped in through the open window. Instinctively, she hastened to close the window, shutting out the unwelcome intrusion of the cold. Her senses heightened, and she hurried towards the pink room, only to discover that the door was left unlocked. A surge of apprehension coursed through her veins, causing her to freeze in her tracks, her gaze fixated on the doorknob. “Someone is in the room,” Angela hushed nervously.
Time seemed to stand still as Angela's heart pounded with fear, the sound resonating loudly in her ears. A shiver ran down her spine as she detected faint movements emanating from within the pink room. With a mixture of curiosity and concern, she summoned her courage and gently pushed open the door, preparing herself to confront any potential intruder that lay beyond.