Chapter 275: Paige Appears at the Auction
The security guards at the entrance stopped them.
Jaden, unable to find a trash can, approached while holding an empty jelly packet. Seeing him, the security guards immediately allowed them through.
Jaden instinctively invited Enrico to go ahead, and Enrico naturally walked in first. The security guards exchanged glances, wondering who this person was to make Jaden from the Gustin Group step aside for him.
Jaden wanted to stay close to Enrico, but Enrico leaned against a nearby pillar, giving him a look. “Do you want me to reveal my identity sooner?”This is the property of Nô-velDrama.Org.
“I’ll head over first,” Jaden said, rubbing his nose as he turned and walked toward his table. A waiter promptly invited him to sit.
At this point, the fifth item was up for auction.
An elderly art master personally introduced the piece, raising the anticipation in the room. Three years ago, this disciple of Chris had made quite an impression, and many still remembered when Enrico from the Gustin Group had spent a billion on one of her paintings.
Back then, many didn’t understand Enrico’s move. No matter how prestigious the Obsidian Award was, it was still just a competition piece. A billion for a painting-was he crazy?
But in the following three years, the artist never released another work. Although many tried to buy her paintings, none were available. A piece titled “Maiden of the First Snow” had been offered for 4. 5 billion on the market, but it was no use-Enrico wouldn’t sell.
As a result, the sudden reappearance of this mysterious painter after three years sparked tremendous interest.
Enrico stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the pillar, listening to the people nearby. One man was talking to his wife, saying, “This painter’s work is highly collectible. If it’s under a billion, we must buy it.”
“Are you crazy? A billion for a painting by a living artist?” his wife replied, knowing that in the world of collectors, the most valuable works are always those by deceased artists.
“That’s what I thought about Enrico back then, but look what happened! What’s the painting worth now? Would Enrico make a losing deal?”
“That person has been sick for three years.”
“…”
Enrico didn’t expect to hear his name mentioned and pressed his thin lips together. Did he really buy a painting from this artist before? He remembered Paige saying that tonight’s painting was hers.
On stage, a white-gloved hostess carefully unveiled the painting. The large immersive screen immediately displayed the oil painting in vivid detail, without any distortion even when magnified several times.
Enrico looked up, his pupils narrowing.
The painting depicted a winding lake, with gentle ripples across its clear, blue water-a blue so serene it could calm the soul. But above the surface, everything was engulfed in raging flames, distorting the trees and turning the water a blood-red, as if the entire lake had been soaked in blood…
The brushwork was meticulous, and the bold use of color created a powerful visual impact, with hues that penetrated deep into one’s consciousness.
The room of 200 tables fell silent, not even the sound of clinking glasses could be heard.
The painting was titled *Rebirth*.
But like the previous work, despite its theme, there were no figures or even signs of new life; the scene was dominated by the serene blue beneath the surface and the endless twisted flames, burning without end.
Just looking at it made one feel as if they were within the painting, screaming and writhing in the flames, with their heart twisting in fear, buried within the inferno.
“…”
This was her work.
As Enrico gazed at it, while others were still speculating, he already felt a strong desire to possess it.
Tiffany, seated at the second main table in the front row, felt a chill run down her spine as she looked at the painting, followed by a surge of excitement. She grabbed Bryan’s hand and exclaimed, “Bryan, look, this is the painter I told you about-my favorite! Her paintings are just too amazing.”
A few young women nearby smiled at Tiffany. “Don’t worry, we know you like her work, so we won’t compete with you.”
Having failed to buy *Maiden of the First Snow*, Tiffany was determined to get this painting tonight. She had even put the word out in advance, ensuring that no one would compete with her.
Bryan, sitting next to her, wasn’t particularly interested in the painting, but before he could respond, he noticed Jason at the main table looking at him with a clear message.
He then said warmly, “I’ll bid for it and give it to you.”
Tiffany looked at him and asked, “What if someone else bids against you?”
“No matter what anyone else bids, this painting will be yours tonight,” Bryan replied.
The others around them laughed. “Bryan sure treats you well, Tiffany-so envious.”
“Oh, so sweet!”
“It’s really making my teeth ache.”
“…”
Tiffany enjoyed being admired and envied, so she smiled even more as she leaned closer to Bryan.
The host on stage, full of enthusiasm, announced, “It seems everyone is captivated by this painting. So let me give you another surprise. After much persuasion, the painter, Miss Spicy Crab, has agreed to attend tonight’s event in person to support charity!”
The announcement left Tiffany stunned. Such a big surprise?
This Rachel really knows how to put on a show.
The crowd stirred with excitement.
“Let’s welcome Miss Spicy Crab!”
The name sounded a bit amusing, but due to the artist’s mysterious reputation, no one seemed to mind, and all eyes were on the stage.
In the distance, in the area reserved for celebrities, Carrie sat sipping champagne, watching as the central lift on the stage slowly rose.
The first thing visible was a silver mask, exquisitely crafted and full of mystery. The upper left corner of the mask was left bare, revealing a bit of smooth forehead, with a single, graceful eye beneath dark eyebrows, the pupil as clear as a tranquil lake.
She wore a gown that matched the mask-a long, off-shoulder dress, her skin as fair as snow, her waist slender and delicate. The long skirt slowly came into view, adorned with cloud patterns and a vividly embroidered white crane, the soft fabric flowing like water, making the crane appear as if it were about to take flight.
The room fell silent again.
Many were left in awe. The men wondered if the face behind the mask was as beautiful and pure as the eye they could see; the women compared her style to Rachel’s, who wore a similar dress earlier. At first, Rachel’s outfit seemed elegant, but next to the woman on stage, there was no comparison-her poise alone made Rachel seem insignificant.
How could Rachel, the event organizer, have allowed someone else to wear a dress so similar to hers? Where did she get such confidence?
Carrie, however, smiled as she watched the woman on stage.
Spicy Crab, Joss.
So that’s who she is.
Smiling, Carrie picked up her auction paddle. Paige had her come to this event to bid on the painting, but what was her plan?
Carrie couldn’t figure it out but found herself increasingly intrigued.
“…”
Enrico, still leaning against the pillar, was too far from the stage, but even watching the large screen, he was mesmerized.
If it were in white, it would be even more stunning.
Pure white.