Chapter 52:
At three in the afternoon, Ivy came over to find her.
Meng Shuyou invited her in and uncovered the canvas for her to inspect.
In the oil painting, the colors were coordinated, the layers distinct, and the brushstrokes delicate.
Ivy looked at it up close and frowned. “The color of this skirt isn’t right, is it? Mine is lilac purple, but this color is a bit deeper.”
Meng Shuyou explained, “It should be due to the lighting in the photograph. It looks a bit darker, but this is already the closest color I could match.”
She had spent a lot of time on color matching, using up many tubes of paint.
Ivy was still unsatisfied. “What about the face? This expression looks a bit stiff, not natural at all.”
“I’m restoring it based on the photograph you gave me. You can compare it yourself.”
“Are you saying I’m ugly to begin with?”
Meng Shuyou denied it. “I don’t mean that.”
Ivy looked unhappy. “I think that’s exactly what you mean.”
Meng Shuyou kept her patience. “Miss Ivy, you said to just restore the photograph, and I’ve done it according to your request.”
Ivy insisted, “But this painting doesn’t look like me at all. Do you treat clients this way?”
Meng Shuyou could tell the other was deliberately looking for trouble, changing faces too quickly. “Miss Ivy, I don’t think I’ve offended you anywhere?”
Her voice was cold as she said straightforwardly, “If you’re deliberately picking faults, then you’ve found the wrong person. I don’t have time to entertain you.”
Ivy got angry at once. “How am I picking faults? I paid money and I’m not satisfied—can’t I say so?”
Meng Shuyou didn’t want to serve this kind of person. “I can refund your money. My skills aren’t enough to meet your demands, so please find another painter.”
“I’m not short on this bit of money.”
“I don’t want to earn this money from you either.”
Ivy smiled sarcastically. “Don’t want to earn my money? Then whose money do you want to earn? A man’s?”
Her words were sarcastic.
Meng Shuyou furrowed her brows.
Ivy made it clear. “Miss Elara, I think I still need to remind you that some men are just playing with you. His future wife can only be a lady from a matching family, not someone like you.”
“So that’s the reason.” Meng Shuyou realized and found it amusing. “This is my private matter. What does it have to do with you?”
“Jenny is my good sister. Because of you, her marriage alliance with Mister Kerwin was ruined. How is your behavior any different from a third party?” Ivy questioned.
Meng Shuyou curled her lip. “Did I ruin it? Please get this straight—they’re neither engaged nor girlfriend and boyfriend.”
“If you’re unhappy about this, you should go find Mister Kerwin to stand up for your good sister, not make trouble for me here. Is it because I seem easier to bully?”
“Also, are you standing up for your good sister, or is it because you like Mister Kerwin too? You know the answer in your heart.”
Her retorts hit precisely every time.
“You—”
Ivy had her most secret feelings exposed, her pupils widening as she fumed. “What nonsense are you spouting!”
A secret even Jenny didn’t know had been seen through by her.
Meng Shuyou had only made a reasonable guess before, but her reaction explained everything. Not wanting to waste more time with her, “Please leave, Miss Ivy. You’re not welcome here.”
“This painting is mine now. I should be the one to decide what to do with it.” Ivy, still angry, picked up the scissors from the coffee table and slashed fiercely at the oil painting.
Meng Shuyou hurriedly stopped her and grabbed the scissors.
