Chapter 63

Eliana had no patience for pointless chatter with Frieda."I'm busy and have no time to waste here," she said curtly, already turning to leave with Rocco.

She had come to the main exhibition hall to find Davin.Since she hadn't found him yet, she certainly wasn't going to waste energy sparring with Frieda

If she wanted to point out Davin's flaws, she would do it directly to him, not through someone who had no stake in the matter.

But Eliana's calm dismissal only fueled Frieda's suspicions.

She became certain that Eliana didn't understand art at all-merely pretending to know, and criticizing Davin's work for attention.

Frieda even doubted Eliana could recognize Davin if she saw him.

When Eliana moved to walk off, Frieda wasn't about to let her go without a parting shot She grabbed Eliana's arm and barked, "You're not going anywhere until you explain yourself-and apologize for your ignorance!"

Eliana narrowed her eyes, ready to pull free, but Rocco stepped in first,prying Frieda's hand off her. "Keep your hands to yourself!" he snapped.

Frieda had never seen him before-Rocco hadn't been at that welcome banquet that day-so she assumed he was Eliana's bodyguard.

Her face tightened in annoyance. "And who exactly do you think you are? How dare you lay a hand on me?"

"I'm-" Rocco began, but the words were cut short by a stir in the crowd

"Mr. Gordon is here!"

"Yeah, he's arrivedl"

Frieda's head snapped toward the commotion.

Sure enough,Davin was making his way into the hall,quickly surrounded by an eager crowd.

Most people here were art lovers; Davin Gordon was a name that commanded respect.

Forgetting Rocco entirely, Frieda hurried toward him and called out loudly, "Mr. Gordon! Someone here is insulting you and your work!" Davin's brows drew together. He could take criticism -but not baseless insults. "Who is it?" he asked.

"It's her!" Frieda pointed in Eliana's direction.

From where he stood, Davin could only see the outline of a slim young woman-Rocco's tall frame blocked most of her face.

"Oh... the young lady,"he said with a slight frown."She's still so young. She might know must about painting Forget it. I'm not going to argue with her."

He was turning to go when Eliana's voice cut across the space "Your painting skills have regressed significantly"

The words hit Davin like a slap His face darkened.He hadn't heard Eliana's voice in years, so it didn't register immediately-but that phrase "regressed significantly" caught his attention.

"Oh? And how exactly did you reach that conclusion,young lady?"

Frieda rounded on Eliana, her tone dripping with contempt. "Mr. Gordon is asking you! Speak up! How dare you-someone who clearly knows nothing about art-criticize him?"

From her angle, Eliana could see his face clearly.He had aged in the two years since they'd last met

For that reason alone, she didn't want to tear him down in public. "I'll tell you privately," she said.

"Hah!" Frieda scoffed. "You're bluffing. You don't know what you're talking about."

Davin's voice cut through her mockery. "I welcome criticism from anyone.No need for privacy-go ahead."

Since he insisted, Eliana stepped toward one of his paintings. "This landscape-you painted it recently,right?

Davin nodded. "Last month. It's one of my proudest works. Let's hear your insight."

Eliana's gaze swept over the canvas, sharp and deliberate. "At first glance, it's impressive. The mist drapes over the mountains beautifully, and the stream at the base balances the composition. But..."

She shifted her tone."The rockwork-while strong-lacks a natural grace.Here-"

She pointed to the lower corner. "These strokes feel forced, as if you were trying too hard to convey strength, and in doing so, you lost the natural ruggedness and spontaneity of the stone."

Davin's face tightened. Frieda opened her mouth to fire back, but Davin's look silenced her. "Let her continue," he ordered.

He'd noticed that exact flaw before. Hearing Eliana pinpoint it intrigued him.

Reluctantly, Frieda kept quiet.

Eliana went on, "And here-the ripples. They look winding at first, but when you really look, the brushwork is too calculated. You've trapped the water inside your own structure, when real water flows without restraint."

Each observation drew more hostility from the onlookers. They weren't opposed to hearing a critique -but coming from her? That was too much.

"What does she know? Paintings are supposed to be precise!"

"Mr. Gordon, don't listen to her-she's clueless."

"Exactly. I've followed your work for years. She's just spouting nonsense."

Davin ignored them entirely. At his level, true,unflinching feedback was rare.

Only a few were bold enough. Riley gave it. And now.the young woman before him too. He was pleased that someone besides Riley could offer him suggestions.

Eliana raised a brow and finished, "And the mist-it's too heavy-handed. You've tried to force a dreamlike atmosphere, but mist should be fleeting, not smeared on."

The crowd bristled even more.

This painting was "Mountain Mist". Without thick mist,what was it supposed to be? And it was displayed in the main hall-proof that the Pearson Group valued it.

"Where's this country girl from, thinking she can talk down to Mr. Gordon?"

"She's talking nonsense-none of it makes sense."

"Indeed!"

Frieda was already bristling from Eliana's sharp,confident critique. So when the crowd started piling on her,Frieda jumped right in, snapping, "What do you know about oil paintings, about landscapes, you little country bumpkin?"

"Enough!" Davin's voice cracked through the noise,sharp and cold.

Frieda froze. He was glaring at her-really glaring- and her stomach gave a nervous twist.

"Mr. Gordon, I was just speaking up for you..." she stammered.

"I know you were," Davin said evenly, "but the young lady is right."

Frieda's eyes widened in disbelief. Right? He was saying Eliana was right? He wasn't angry at all? This was Davin Gordon-master of oil painting, a man people in the art world practically bowed to-and he was siding with a country girl who had just criticized him?

Frieda couldn't wrap her head around it.. Gordon,

But Davin didn't let her finish. He simply turned away,cutting through the crowd with long strides until he was standing in front of Eliana.