Chapter 1504: Chapter 1504

Lory suddenly felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end. Confused, she rubbed the spot and glanced around, but there was no one suspicious in sight within the Harland National Art Gallery.

"Someone’s thinking badly about me," she murmured with a small pout.

Dismissing the thought, Lory checked the watch on her wrist. She thought Zhao Li Xin’s meeting should be over by now. Today, she had come to accompany him as he met with Hugo’s friends, several influential admirers of his paintings.

Zhao Li Xin had agreed to the meeting because Hugo’s friends were prominent figures from various sectors, important government officials, powerful businesspeople, and even members of the Hamilton family.

He understood that to expand his influence, he needed to establish good relations with such people. Moreover, since Lucas was also working to win them over, strengthening his own connections would ultimately help Lory as well. That alone was enough reason for Zhao Li Xin to attend.

Not wanting to interrupt him while he was engaged in conversation with those distinguished guests, Lory chose to spend her time wandering through the gallery, admiring the few remaining works of his art, since most of the paintings had already been sold, at astonishing prices.

Hugo had mentioned that the remaining pieces were commissioned works still under negotiation with several collectors. Since the exhibition, Zhao Li Xin’s name had become widely known, and his extraordinary good looks only added to the fascination surrounding him.

Many people reached out, not only about his paintings but also with offers for him to model or appear in artistic projects.

Fortunately, no one knew his personal number; all inquiries went through the assistant Hugo had hired to manage his affairs.

The assistant’s name was Jim Adller; he was a twenty-eight-year-old man with a background in art and management. He carried himself with quiet seriousness, more like a scholar than a manager, but he was efficient, reliable, and, most importantly, discreet. He did his job well and never pried into Zhao Li Xin’s private life, which earned him Zhao Li Xin’s rare approval.

Lory was about to call out to Zhao Li Xin when something caught her eye: a woman standing before the painting. She wore a body-hugging dress that accentuated every curve, and when she turned around, Lory noticed the deep neckline that plunged daringly low, leaving little to the imagination.

Lory arched a brow. She knew who the woman was; it was Lucia Viora, a member of the S.A.I.N.T. organization.

It seemed Salvo De Rova was still unwilling to let Zhao Li Xin go, so he sent this vixen. No wonder Lucia had gone all out today. Guessed she was still gonna try her luck to seduce Zhao Li Xin.

’But why dress like that?’ Lory takes a deep sigh, unsure whether to be angry or feel sorry for her.

Zhao Li Xin came from a very conservative world where a woman’s worth was measured by her virtue. Though he was more open-minded than most men, years spent within the harem had instilled in him a quiet but abiding hatred and disgust for women who used their bodies to entice men, just like all those concubines and maid servants who cannot wait to climb their master’s bed.

Lory shakes her head, then, stepping quietly behind a marble pillar, Lory shifted her disguise. Her appearance changed from Luo Ri Yi to Raven Jane. She summoned a vial of Versipel Potion from her spatial ring and drank it in one smooth motion.

By the time she stepped out from behind the pillar, her hair had already transformed into Raven Jane’s signature bright red waves. She slid her hands into the pockets of her jacket and strolled casually toward Lucia.

"It’s a beautiful painting, don’t you think?" Lory said, her gaze lingering on the artwork hanging before them.

Lucia turned her head slowly toward her. Curiosity flickered in her eyes before she offered a graceful smile, the kind that hid both charm and calculation. "It is," she said with a wink. "It’s my favorite."

Lory chuckled softly. "Then you should buy it. I can give you a discount if you like," she said, her tone light and unbothered.

"Oh? You work here?" Lucia asked, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Lory tilted her head, smiling faintly. "No. The painter is my husband."

Lucia froze for a heartbeat, then her smile deepened, polished and deliberate. "Ah... the mysterious wife," she murmured, her gaze sweeping over Lory from head to toe. She remembered how affectionately Zhao Li Xin spoke whenever his wife was mentioned, though never by name, but always with that quiet fondness.

The thought stirred something sharp and competitive within her."I didn’t see you during the exhibition," Lucia said smoothly. "And Mr. Zhao never mentioned your name. For a moment, I almost thought you didn’t exist."

Lory laughed, utterly unfazed. "Oh my, I’m sorry you feel that way. But I definitely exist. Why do you think I wasn’t there during the exhibition?" She gave Lucia a playful glance.

Lucia’s lips curved slightly. "Oh? You were there?" she asked, pretending interest.

"Mm-hmm," Lory nodded lightly. "I just don’t like crowds, and my husband understands that. He never pushes me into the spotlight. Besides," she added with a small, secretive smile, "he’s naturally possessive. So it works in his favor."

Her eyes shimmered with quiet affection, the kind that only comes from a woman deeply loved.

Lucia felt a faint irritation rise in her chest. Most wives would have staked their claim, sharp and territorial, but this woman didn’t need to. Her calm confidence unsettled Lucia far more than jealousy ever could.

Lory could already tell what Luce was thinking. She had to admit, the woman was skilled, her every gesture carefully calculated to spark jealousy. Unfortunately, Luce had no idea who she was truly dealing with.

Because she didn’t know Lory’s real identity, she hadn’t thought twice before playing her little games. The dress, the provocation... all too obvious.

If Lucia knew she was standing before Princess Lorient, she would’ve hesitated a hundred times before daring to flirt with Zhao Li Xin. And even if she did, she would’ve been far more careful, subtle, strategic, not this brazen.

But for now, ignorance made her bold. She had no clue who the woman beside her really was. Lory, on the other hand, knew everything about Lucia Viora.

Her eyes drifted from the painting to the woman next to her. Slowly, deliberately, she let her gaze trail down. The vivid color, the plunging neckline, the way the fabric clung to her curves spoke louder than any words. Lory’s eyes darkened, then softened again with a faint, mischievous smile.

"Do you want to meet my husband?" she asked abruptly, her eyes glinting with excitement as if it was a good idea.

Lucia’s brows arched. She couldn’t tell if it was an offer or a challenge. Either way, curiosity flickered in her eyes. "If you don’t mind," she replied, her tone laced with defiance.

"Of course not." Lory’s smile deepened. She pulled out her phone and lifted it to her ear, then speak in light tone, "Hello, dear, Are you done? ...Hm, could you come here for a moment? There’s a fan waiting for you. ...Oh—okay." lory chuckles for a second then ended the call, slipping the phone back into her jacket then look at Lucia. "He’ll be here soon."

Lucia tilted her head, her eyes narrowing with intrigue. "Oh? Is that so?" Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She studied Lory, trying to decipher the woman’s game.

What irritated her most was that Lory didn’t look the slightest bit threatened. Not a hint of jealousy, not even mild discomfort.

Even if Zhao Li Xin was completely loyal to his wife, still, any normal wife should’ve felt threatened, annoyed, or at least uncomfortable to know her husband had a woman like her interested in her husband

But Lory showed none of that. She was exasperatingly calm and composed, almost as if she were about to introduce her husband to a mere friend. And that, more than anything, made Lucia feel more offended than anything.

A moment later, Zhao Li Xin arrived, wondering why Lory had asked him to meet a stranger. From the tone of her voice, he could tell his wife was scheming for something. He had no idea what she was planning, but as a husband, he simply chose to follow along with whatever she wanted to do.

Soon, he spotted Lory in her disguise as Raven Jane. He didn’t think much of it; Lory often wore disguises whenever she left Cestine Palace. When their eyes met, Lory smiled brightly. "LI Xin~," she called out sweetly.

Lucia turned instinctively toward Zhao Li Xin and, for a moment, her heart skipped a beat. Even though she had indeed approached Zhao Li Xin with an ulterior motive, she couldn’t deny she had been utterly mesmerized by his charm, and she never felt this way for a very long time.

If she dared to be honest, from all the men she had ever involved, perhaps Zhao Li Xin was the only one she ever wanted to be hers, regardless of whether it was for the mission or not.

Yet the truth was utterly cruel, for from the moment Zhao Li Xin arrived, his gaze had stayed on Lory, and not once did he spare Lucia a glance. Lucia took a deep breath, trying to suppress the unfamiliar ache in her chest.

"Wife," Zhao Li Xin’s voice flowed like a quiet current of warmth. His eyes softened, gleaming with a tenderness that melted away the cold indifference he was once known for.

He stepped closer, one arm wrapping gently around Lory’s waist, drawing her near. "Did you wait long?" he asked, his gaze filled with genuine concern.

Lory knew he wasn’t pretending; Zhao Li Xin was never one to feign emotion or care about appearances. Whatever he said, he meant. That was simply who he was.

Her smile bloomed softly, serene. "It’s fine. I finally get to enjoy your paintings in peace, without anyone interrupting."

Zhao Li Xin chuckled, a low, affectionate sound that seemed to hum in the quiet air between them.

"Silly girl. If you like my paintings that much, I’ll hang them all in our bedroom... and your study, too. That way you can admire them to your heart’s content."

Lory pouted playfully. "But aren’t all your paintings already sold out?"

Zhao Li Xin let out a soft sigh, his expression melting with affection. "Wife," he said, his voice low and indulgent, "how could there be none left for you? Just tell me what you want me to paint. I’ll draw it for you myself."

He tilted his head slightly, a rare smile curving his lips. "How about the peach blossom grove in Sun Jan City? Or perhaps the frozen lake in winter? Anything you wish to see, just say the word."

To anyone else, it might have sounded like simple sweet talk between a couple. But Lory knew better. This man would do exactly as he said. Then again, it was just a painting, compared to the things Zhao Li Xin had given her throughout their marriage; a few paintings were nothing.

Across from them, Lucia stood frozen. Was this really the same cold, distant man she had met before? The realization hit her like a thunderclap. How could that icy man who had a look that was devoid of any warmth turn into an idiot, doting husband?