Chapter 60: Chapter 60

Seraphina Redgrave looked at the judge with an indifferent expression: "Whatever you see, is what it is."

Mia thought, being so disrespectful to the judges, would they really let her off?

However, the master who asked the question was not at all displeased; instead, he lowered his head and inquired, "What I see is a woman dead in the snow, her body buried by the snow, leaving only a few traces of her existence, eventually disappearing into the vast white snow."

This is a painting that makes one feel despair at first sight.

"There is this layer of meaning, but in my view, it is far from enough."

Seraphina noticed that this master genuinely loved art, so her tone softened.

"Why is it not enough?"

The master’s expression was full of fanaticism, his interest in the painting growing deeper.

Seraphina just stood there without answering.

After hearing this, many masters returned to the stage to appreciate the painting.

This painting had Elder Vaughn’s charm, yet it possessed a story feeling that was completely different from Elder Vaughn’s.

But what was that answer that was so close to being revealed?

All the obvious things in the picture, what do they symbolize?

Ethan Sterling suddenly spoke, his voice as cold as the snow in the picture, yet it awakened everyone.

The audience fell silent, everyone turning towards the source of the voice, and upon realizing it was Ethan Sterling, they widened their eyes.

He sat in the first row, expressionless, eyes fixed on "Snow Woman," his eyes deep like whirlpools, making one afraid to look directly.

"The snow buries the body of the dead, yet it brings about absolute freedom."

Ethan Sterling spoke softly, as if he had completely understood the painting. After speaking, his amber eyes looked at Seraphina: "Ms. French Fry, is that what you meant to express?"

Standing next to "Snow Woman," Seraphina opened her eyes wide in disbelief, meeting the eyes of the man looking at her.

Ethan Sterling had actually completely understood her thoughts.

The master who initially asked the question saw Seraphina standing there without saying a word, no longer showing her previous strong attitude, knew that Ethan Sterling was right. Looking at "Snow Woman" again, he understood: "So that’s it, those red spots look like blood, yet also like roses, death and freedom coexist, contradictory yet harmonious."

Everything in the world is meant to complement each other; it’s just that with different viewers, the conclusions reached are different.

The most interesting part about this painting is, if an optimist views it, he perceives despair, while a pessimist perceives freedom.

The masters couldn’t help but look at Ethan Sterling, not expecting this top figure in Sovereign to actually...

Forget it, forget it.

The masters slowly descended from the stage and returned to their seats.

Mia didn’t know what had happened.

What’s going on, why is everyone only looking at that fatty’s blank paper and not paying attention to hers?

If speaking in such a mysterious manner could attract attention, she could make something up too.

But now there was obviously no time left.

Before long, the results from the masters came out, and everyone agreed the gold award should go to "Snow Woman."

Mia gritted her teeth, she tried everything, but it turned out she was just there to accompany that Ms. French Fry, and she couldn’t even show it.

"Miss Mia, I am willing to pay three million for your ’Rose under the setting sun’ to give to my daughter, would you be willing?"

A member of the audience spoke.

Star Burning Cup had already awarded the gold prize, the second place didn’t really matter.

But luckily, there were still audience members who appreciated her painting; if she could sell the painting at the competition site, it could also prove her artistic skills.

She wouldn’t be completely forgotten.

So Mia smiled sweetly: "Thank you for liking my painting, I am willing to sell it to you."

"What a splendid ending, I also have high regard for ’Rose under the setting sun’", the host quickly began to praise Mia.

Another member of the audience spoke: "Is ’Snow Woman’ up for sale? I can offer seven million."

Mia had not been proud for long before her face turned sour again.

Her painting was only worth three million, so why was that fatty’s painting twice as valuable?

Are these people blind?

"Ms. French Fry, would you be willing?"

Usually, the gold award works of the Star Burning Cup could start at four million in auction, and of course, could go higher.

So, she could take her time.

But Seraphina Redgrave didn’t want to delay any longer. Living in Hibiscus Garden where Ethan Sterling was, she had no chance to connect with the outside world, how could she take her time; the prize money plus the painting sale money, for Seraphina, whose previous pocket money was soon running out, was already a huge sum.

Just as Seraphina was about to speak, someone below spoke up again: "Add another million!"

The atmosphere in the competition venue instantly changed.

Mia’s expression had already turned extremely unpleasant, why that fatty!

"Snow Woman" was clearly not as good as her painting!

Seraphina gently curled her lips, not bad, still tasteful.

"President Lynch added a million, it seems he indeed likes ’Snow Woman’, Ms. French Fry must be feeling the audience’s enthusiasm."

After speaking, she looked at the first manager who wanted to buy the painting to see his reaction.

Sure enough, the first manager spoke again: "Add two million more."

The painting’s price soared even higher.

Mia inwardly despised "Snow Woman," not understanding those who liked it.

"Add another five million." Apparently, someone already realized "Snow Woman"’s value far exceeded this.

"Add another million."

Gradually, the sound of bidding arose in the venue.

Everyone wanted to obtain this painting still holding potential for appreciation, and two eager high-society individuals were already starting to blow their top.

As Seraphina Redgrave was already contemplating how to use this sum of money, a male voice unhurriedly spoke: "Fifteen million." ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ noᴠelfire.net

In an instant, the audience fell silent.

All eyes converged on the man in the first row, Ethan Sterling remained seated expressionlessly, as if he wasn’t the one who had just offered such an astronomical price.

The host was stunned, speaking a bit incredulously: "Is Young Master Sterling really intending to offer fifteen million for ’Snow Woman’?"

Could Young Master Sterling have made a mistake?

"Are you underestimating my financial capability?"

Ethan Sterling raised his eyes, cold and icy.

The host dared not say such a thing, hurriedly apologizing.

No one bid again, Ethan Sterling killed the bidding; this was the first painting valued this highly in the history of the Star Burning Cup.

The host looked at Seraphina Redgrave in disbelief; she was about to rewrite history.

A hint of confusion flashed in Seraphina Redgrave’s eyes; although she was a student of Elder Vaughn, she had had almost no reputation before, how could her first painting be auctioned for fifteen million?

Standing there, Mia’s expression could no longer be described as merely unsightly, it was utterly ashen, beyond words.