“Hmph! You have overestimated yourself!” I heard Harvey mocking me. Glancing back at the canvas, I gritted my teeth, grabbed my brush, and started sketching rapidly. The splatter of black paint could become a black cloud after some edits.
I was so anxious that sweat dotted my forehead. Within those brief ten minutes, my mind had never been so clear. When Remington announced that the time was up, my brush fell on the ground. As I was drawing too fast, my fingers became stiff and I could not even maintain a firm grip on the brush.
After those six years, not only had my painting skills deteriorated, but my fingers were also unwilling to cooperate with me. I felt sad when I looked at the fallen brush on the ground. Why did I waste six years of my life?
“There’s no need to judge, right? I’ve won!” Standing in front of his artwork, Harvey crossed his hands over his chest and laughed mockingly.
I remained silent and merely stared at my canvas. On the night I left the Tanner family six years ago, I had drawn the exact same painting in my silent bedroom. Then, I tore it into shreds and threw them into the dustbin. That was my farewell to my art career. Yet, this time, I knew that I had truly returned.
“Let’s just leave. There’s no need to gather here anymore! Since the National Youth Art Exhibition and Contest is being held now, why don’t you spend more time drawing and exhibiting your paintings? You can even participate in a charity auction and do something good. Anything’s better than mingling around with undeserving people!”
With that, he tossed his brush aside and turned to leave.
“Wait!” Spencer and Remington stopped him at the same time and pointed at my painting. “Before you leave, aren’t you going to see what your opponent has painted?”
“What’s there to see? She’s so careless that she spilled paint during the competition! Such a stupid mistake is enough to make her disappear from this circle. How can a stained artwork still be exhibited? This is ridiculous!” Although that was what Harvey said, he still turned around and glanced at my painting.
“Huh?” He mumbled softly before running toward it quickly. Shoving me aside, he stared at my painting intently for a long while before asking, “How is this possible?”
“There are always people better than you, Harvey. Looks like you’ve lost to Ms. Tanner on your most confident skill. You should apologize to her for what you’ve said earlier,” reminded Remington after heaving a sigh of relief.
“How is this possible?” Harvey was still staring at my painting without even turning around. He kept repeating the same few words.
“Ms. Tanner’s painting depicts the phoenix being reborn from the ashes, while the flock of birds following it highlights this auspicious occasion. At the end of the canvas, you can even see a black dragon soaring in the sky. With black smoke puffing out of its mouth, it stares intently at the phoenix. This is a painting filled with so much meaning!” exclaimed Spencer.
“She actually transformed the black splatter of paint into such a realistic black dragon! Such skills and imagination…” remarked Harvey after staring at the black dragon for a long time. Then, he turned around and bowed toward me. With a serious expression, he apologized, “Ms. Tanner, I’m sorry for making such rude comments. Your skills and speed have surpassed mine significantly.”
“No, Harvey. I should be the one thanking you.” I stroked the canvas. The ink on it has not dried yet. Looking at the large painting, I suddenly felt an urge to cry.
Then, tears actually streamed down my face. “It’s been years since I’ve drawn phoenixes. You’re the one who reignited my passion and motivation!”
The party proceeded smoothly afterward. As I had displayed my superior skills, the others did not harbor any prejudices against me anymore and started to discuss art with me. I stayed on until the party ended at midnight. Only then did I leave Remington’s house reluctantly.
Although he wanted to send me home, I refused because I had already spotted Christopher’s car outside. Smiling, I walked toward it. However, when I opened the door and discovered Harvey inside the car, my expression froze.
