I had no idea who pushed me since they were so many people milling around. Before I had regained my feet after stumbling into Lyle’s arm, Wendy shoved me away. Tottering in heels, I reached out to steady myself, only to end up pushing Crystal away.
Crystal’s expression changed at once. All of a sudden, she leaned against the corner of the wall and clutched her stomach, shrieking, “My stomach hurts! Ow, my stomach…”
“Crystal!” Lyle’s expression turned frantic. Whirling around, he swung his hand across my face. “I didn’t know you’re so vicious that you’d actually make a move against a pregnant woman, Yvonne!”
My head spun, and I saw stars at the blow. When I had finally regained my feet, I swung my hand with all my might and landed a heavy smack on the left side of his face. “There you go in return! You clearly saw what happened earlier with your own eyes! Also, I’ll never seek you out deliberately even if I’d lost my mind!” I roared.
Clocking the contempt in my eyes, Lyle’s expression darkened. “Yvonne, don’t think you can go from rags to riches just because you’re now hooking up with Christopher. You’ll only end up ruined if you continue associating with him.”
“Even so, that has nothing to do with you!”
“Stop bickering with her! Send Crystal to hospital, quick!” Wendy dragged Lyle back. “Oh God, I don’t know whether my grandchild will be fine. You’re such a b*tch, Yvonne Tanner! You’re barren, so you want to hurt my grandchild, huh? I’ll make your life a living hell if anything happens to Crystal!”
“Hmph!” Shaking off her hand, I spun on my heels and strode out of the art gallery. Nothing good ever comes out of bumping into them! A lot of outstanding paintings are on exhibition in the art gallery today, so one of them must be Crystal’s. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have brought such a huge group of people here.
A new school artist? I sneered. Back then, my talent was far greater than hers. And now, as long as I work hard, I’ll definitely defeat her. What’s so great about her, anyway? It’s just a few years of experience abroad and having a good mentor, no? But when it comes to painting, how many artists actually made it because of pointers from renowned artists?
I’m sure it’ll never cross their minds that I’m here to join the competition. Fortunately, it’s an art festival competition that has taken the world by the storm this time, so only venerated veterans make up the panel of judges. Otherwise, if she becomes a judge with her new school artist title, I’ll certainly find myself on the losing end.
As I traversed the streets, my cell phone rang. The caller ID indicated that it was my father calling. The number was particularly familiar, but the scene was utterly unfamiliar. After all, my relationship with my father had deteriorated to the point where we were strangers with nothing to be said between us.
“Is something the matter?” I inquired placidly after answering the call.
“What did Lyle mean earlier? Are you really acquainted with Christopher Lane?” Nathan demanded.
Haha, I just knew this would’ve happened! No one noticed when Lyle said that, all having rushed over to Crystal to check on her pregnant self. Yet, he actually committed that to memory!
“So what if I am?”
“Stop being combative with me when I’m your father. Wait for me outside!” Nathan barked.
“Sorry, but I’m busy!” Before I had even said that, Nathan had already hung up. Nonetheless, I wasn’t going to wait for him like a fool. When I was crossing the road, my cell phone rang again. Finding the phone number rather familiar after scrutinizing it, I answered it.
“Hello, is this Ms. Tanner?”
“I’m Yvonne Tanner. May I know who’s on the line?”
“This is Richard Whitrow, Vonnie. Do you still remember me?”
I naturally knew who Richard Whitrow was, but I somehow felt that his voice was now colored with a hint of flattery. Hmm? Never mind if he’s being amicable, but what’s with this fawning tone? Why on earth would he ingratiate himself to me?
“Is something the matter, Mr. Whitrow?” I questioned in puzzlement.
“When are you coming back to work, Vonnie?” Richard queried.
“I’ve been keeping your post for you.”
“Come back to work? But haven’t I been dismissed?” I was at a total loss.
“Dismissed? Not at all! It was all a misunderstanding by my subordinate. How about coming to work tomorrow if you’ve got the time? I told the others you were gone on a business trip. You’re a permanent staff, so you can’t simply be dismissed if you haven’t done anything wrong. This is all on Camilla. She misunderstood my meaning.”
