Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Hector Shaw wouldn’t be unaware.

"Miranda Vaughn holds an unsurpassable position in the art world; even her painting style hasn’t been fully comprehended by anyone up to this day. She’s a globally recognized master of oil painting, and the Star Burning Cup was initiated by her. It’s named after her first famous painting, ’Star Burning,’ which is why the competition bears this name."

"But three years ago, she suddenly disappeared, and no one knows where she went. As a result, her paintings are priceless yet unobtainable."

It seems Hector Shaw has quite a bit of knowledge about this field.

"That’s right," Seraphina Redgrave agreed. "Do you remember the old lady in the restricted area whose face was burned and whose hands were chopped off?"

"Yeah, I’ve heard she got like that due to some accident, and because she was alone, the government classified her as a non-productive member of society, and she was sent to the restricted area," Hector Shaw replied.

"That old lady is Miranda Vaughn. I studied painting under her for three years."

Seraphina said calmly.

She didn’t consider the previous Star Burning Cup gold winner as a competitor; after all, her teacher was the founder of the competition.

"What?!" Hector Shaw’s eyes widened. "You mean that old lady is Miranda Vaughn? My goodness, she’s a genius in the oil painting world, and she lost both hands? Wait, didn’t she say she would never pass on her skills to anyone, even if they rot in the earth? How did you become her apprentice?"

Hearing this, Seraphina was suddenly reminded of those days in the restricted area.

That old lady, Miranda Vaughn, didn’t have the will to live when she was first thrown into the restricted area. But Seraphina wouldn’t accept it; she brought food and drink to Miranda Vaughn daily.

Miranda Vaughn wanted to die but couldn’t, which made her resent Seraphina and force her to learn oil painting for three years.

"Maybe it’s because I saved her, and she wanted to repay me," Seraphina couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, her eyes and brows filled with amusement.

While Miranda Vaughn would claim to dislike Seraphina, she ended up teaching Seraphina all her skills, which was ridiculously contradictory.

Because of that, she dared to say she could win the Star Burning Cup gold prize.

After hearing this, Hector Shaw couldn’t help but click his tongue, "You sure have saved quite a few people."

Seraphina thought back to those three years, gently blinking without much emotion: "I suppose so."

Seraphina didn’t continue chatting with Hector Shaw, hung up the phone, cleared away all traces of her presence in the room, and then turned to leave.

Soon, the Star Burning Cup finals began.

Seraphina sat by the window, gazing outside. Unsurprisingly, her piece had advanced to the finals, and the gold prize would be decided today.

At the villa entrance were numerous luxury sports cars.

The car convoy stopped at the villa entrance.

Two teams of well-trained bodyguards stood in rows in the courtyard before the villa.

Nathan Ayers followed Ethan Sterling, walking through the path cleared by the bodyguards.

The sun was harsh, and Nathan Ayers diligently held an umbrella for Ethan Sterling.

Ethan Sterling walked past the bodyguards. The black umbrella concealed his eyes, so Seraphina couldn’t see his expression, only noticing his languid steps imbued with an intimidating aura.

Nanny Lynch stood at the villa entrance, smiled upon seeing Ethan Sterling, and said, "Young Master Sterling, the Miss is waiting for you upstairs."

Seraphina was speechless.

She wasn’t waiting for Ethan Sterling at all; she was upstairs alone because Nanny Lynch and Granny Coleman wouldn’t stop nagging, giving her a headache.

The person who had reached the villa entrance suddenly halted.

The next second, Ethan Sterling raised his hand, pushing away the black umbrella in front of him. On his wrist was a vivid black cat, seemingly ready to leap down at any moment.

Ethan Sterling looked up, gazing at the window where Seraphina was.

Seraphina held her head with both hands, her eyes devoid of spirit. She wore a small dress that matched perfectly with his formal attire for the day, the sleeveless design leaving her almost translucent arms exposed.

A pure face, with clear eyes.

Like a blooming rose, waiting for its owner to pick it.

Ethan Sterling looked at Seraphina, his eyes flickering.

Ethan Sterling gazed at the unmoving Seraphina and gestured, "Come over here."

Seraphina maintained her expressionless face, fully upholding her persona.

Seeing that Seraphina was still standing there foolishly, Nanny Lynch quickly said, "Young Master, I’ll bring the Miss down immediately."

Nanny Lynch led Seraphina downstairs; she wore a finely crafted short dress, with a black dress and patterns, whose delicacy became apparent under sunlight.

This little dress was selected after two hours of deliberation by Nanny Lynch and Granny Coleman. The competition would last long, and if Seraphina started to find the dress too troublesome, causing any incident of visible disgrace, it wouldn’t be good.

A short dress wouldn’t be too uncomfortable and fits the competition’s atmosphere, naturally just right.

Ethan Sterling stood at the villa entrance, watching Seraphina walk out while being led by Nanny Lynch.

Nathan Ayers looked at the scene and then at Ethan Sterling, who hadn’t blinked while staring at Seraphina, suddenly feeling the scene was a bit like a wedding procession.

"Young Master, if the Miss does anything inappropriate, please be forgiving."

Nanny Lynch entrusted Seraphina to Ethan Sterling, unable to help but remind him.

The fact that Seraphina was a little mad was evident to everyone; if she caused a commotion at the competition...

Nanny Lynch was full of worry.

Nathan Ayers had a head full of black lines, feeling like they really were at a wedding, and Nanny Lynch was like a parent uneasy about marrying off their daughter.

Ethan Sterling couldn’t be bothered with Nanny Lynch, pulled Seraphina, and left the courtyard.

With a dazed and silly look, Seraphina sat in the car, and Ethan Sterling took her small hand, holding it tightly. With his elbow on the car window, supporting his head, he glanced at her: "Why aren’t you smiling? Don’t like going out again?"

Didn’t you love roaming from the street stalls to Kaelor as a child?

Now that I’m with you, there’s not even a smile?

Seraphina showed no expression.

Ethan suddenly tightened his grip, causing Seraphina’s tender fingers to be squeezed so hard that she couldn’t help but look up into Ethan’s eyes.

What on earth does he want?

Ethan clamped down on Seraphina’s jaw, forcing her to raise her head.

Isn’t there something wrong with Ethan’s brain?

Seraphina pretended not to understand, remaining expressionless.

"If you don’t smile, I’ll throw you out," Ethan said coldly.

He really does have something wrong in his head, doesn’t he? Can’t we just sit quietly in the car?

Seraphina was already a bit impatient, but Ethan suddenly approached her, causing Seraphina to instinctively lean back towards the car door.

Unexpectedly, Ethan opened the car door behind Seraphina.

He wasn’t kidding! Thɪs chapter is updated by n0velfire.net

The car sped on the highway, and suddenly a fierce wind poured in, nearly sucking Seraphina out by force.

Ethan cruelly ordered: "Faster."

If it goes any faster, Seraphina, in the back seat, would definitely be blown out.

Nathan Ayers sat up front, griping internally but remained outwardly unaffected, merely gripping the seatbelt.

The driver didn’t dare defy Ethan and accelerated immediately, the speed instantly shooting up.

The engine let out a hum.

Immediately, the air current grew more fierce, as if it wanted to suck everyone out of the car; the half-open car door wobbled in the gusts.

Ethan held onto the other car door, watching Seraphina’s body, almost being blown out, with interest.

Seraphina knew she wouldn’t last long; the gust was too strong. But with vehicles coming and going on the road, if she really fell out, she’d surely die.