Chapter 6: The Extraordinary Man

"Dorek told me you helped me earlier, so I wanted to express my thanks."

"Oh?" Alexander asked. "How does Miss Eleanor intend to thank me?"

This put Eleanor in a difficult spot.

As a powerful figure at the top of the food chain, Eleanor truly didn't know what kind of thanks would be appropriate. After all, she had just donated the auction money and was currently penniless.

Just as Eleanor was agonizing over her dilemma, Alexander said, "A painting."

"What?"

"Since Miss Eleanor is an artist, paint me a picture."

Eleanor considered this. It seemed like the only thing she had that was worth offering.

"Then where should I send..."

As she spoke, Alexander turned, took long strides, and left the auction house.

Eleanor was left speechless, watching his retreating back.

She had meant to ask where to send the finished painting, but Alexander didn't give her a chance to ask.

Thinking about it, maybe asking for a painting was just his way of dismissing her.

After all, a casual word from him could solve her troubles; why would he actually need a painting?

Eleanor sighed at the thought.

The entire exchange between Eleanor and Alexander was seen by Claudia, who was standing nearby.

...

In the afternoon, outside the courthouse.

Eleanor dialed Sebastian's phone for the tenth time, but it still went unanswered.

It was finally picked up on the fifteenth attempt.

"If you're calling to apologize, then..."

"Sebastian, I hope you remember that this is the time we agreed upon for the divorce."

There was a moment of silence on the other end, then Sebastian snapped angrily, "Don't think that just because you made a scene at the auction, you can keep acting high and mighty. If you keep playing these games, don't blame me when I really divorce you!"

The call was disconnected.

Eleanor was severely irritated.

It was all because she had loved Sebastian too much and been too afraid of losing him in the past. Now, Sebastian wrongly assumed she was intentionally filing for divorce just to get his attention.

Sebastian didn't answer her calls again. Eleanor had no choice but to take a taxi back to her studio.

On the other end, Sebastian angrily tossed his phone aside.

Claudia walked into the room and saw the scene. "What's wrong? Isn't it two o'clock already? Why aren't you getting divorced from Eleanor?"

"Do you think she really wants to divorce me? It's just a trick to get my attention. If I went, I'd fall right into her trap!"

For no good reason, Sebastian felt a strange guilt.

But he still firmly believed that given Eleanor's level of devotion, she would never actually go through with the divorce.

Claudia frowned, wondering if Sebastian was the one who didn't want the divorce.

"I was so humiliated at the auction today. If word gets out about those two paintings, how can I ever face people?" Claudia complained tearfully.

"Even if Breaking the Cocoon was hers, she didn't object when I published it back then. She only spoke up after filing for divorce. She’s clearly just trying to oppose you."

Seeing the woman pouting and acting affectionate in front of him, Sebastian's mood improved considerably.

"Don't worry. I'll buy two paintings and sign your name to them. Then I'll find reporters to announce that you've been working in seclusion. Once you have new, good works, no one will talk anymore."

Claudia was overjoyed. She wrapped her arms around Sebastian's neck and kissed him.

They embraced and kissed for a long time before finally separating.

"Sebastian, I love you so much! I wish I had met you before my sister."

Sebastian looked at her with gentle eyes.

Suddenly, a sentence Eleanor spoke at the auction flashed through his mind.

He paused. "Did Eleanor say Ivy died today?"

Claudia laughed. "How is that possible? She probably just made that up to get more attention from you."

"Right," Sebastian nodded, quickly pushing the matter out of his mind.

...

Since the day of the auction, Eleanor had spent every day locked in her studio, completely immersed in painting.

It seemed this was the only way to distract herself from the pain of losing her daughter.

Dawn broke on the fourth day. The first ray of morning sun spilled across Eleanor's face through the window screen.

She quietly gazed at the wedding dress on the canvas, which she had torn into pieces. New shoots and flowers grew out of the ruptures, their stems wrapping around the dress and reaching upward.

A doorbell ringing pulled Eleanor back to reality.

She opened the door. Seeing Daphne, she smiled. "Why the surprise visit? My place is a bit messy."

"You wouldn't answer your phone or texts, so I had to come find you," Daphne said.

"Sorry, I've been busy with a new piece."

Daphne's eyes lit up. "Do I have the honor of being the first to see it?"

"Welcome."

Daphne stood before Eleanor's new artwork, stunned by its beauty.

"Leaving your past marriage behind, letting your broken self sprout new life. Eleanor, only your paintings can make me feel such emotion."

Eleanor smiled and handed Daphne a glass of water.

"You know, word of you painting again has spread throughout the art world. It's shocked a lot of people, and everyone's eagerly anticipating your new work. I want to organize a small solo exhibition for you as a launchpad for your comeback."

Eleanor was grateful. "Thank you, Daphne. I don't know how to repay you."

"Paint several new pieces for my gallery show. That would be the best thanks."

That same day, news of Eleanor holding a solo art exhibition spread across the entire circle.

Naturally, the news reached Claudia.

She anxiously rushed to Sebastian. "Did you hear? Eleanor is holding a solo exhibition!"

Sebastian was dismissive. "It's just an exhibition. She’s been a housewife for so many years. I've turned her into a nobody. She's just jealous that Teddy and I are close, so she’s trying to get attention. You watch. Within a day of that show, she'll come crawling back to me."

Claudia was slightly worried. "Daphne, the owner of Ruixin Gallery, is organizing this show for her. Daphne is Alexander's cousin, and Alexander kept protecting Eleanor at the auction. Do you think..."

Sebastian burst out laughing. "Are you suggesting Eleanor hooked up with Alexander? A woman like her? Who would want her besides me?"

...

After finishing her new work, Eleanor stepped out of the house for the first time in a while.

She went to Ruixin Gallery to sign the exhibition agreement with Daphne.

On her way out, she happened to run into Alexander, who was examining a painting.

His tall figure was instantly noticeable, and his innate aristocratic aura kept people at a distance. He just had to stand there, and everything around him became his backdrop.

Eleanor walked up to him directly. "Mr. Prescott, I didn't expect to run into you here."

Alexander turned his head. "I hear Miss Eleanor is preparing for an exhibition. Congratulations in advance."

"It's a small show. I'll be exhibiting some of my old work and a few new pieces. I hope you can come and visit."

"It would be an honor."

"There's one more thing I need to apologize for. I still haven't managed to start the painting I promised you. I'm lacking inspiration and it may take some time."

Alexander's gaze landed on the painting in front of him. "No rush. Miss Eleanor's paintings are worth waiting for, no matter how long it takes."

Eleanor looked over curiously.

The painting was titled Eclipse. The style was very simple. The base was a deep, inky ultramarine, bleeding inward from the edges, with a large area of heavy blue in the center.

"It looks like an abyss, doesn't it?" Eleanor said.

"I think it looks more like a forgotten sea."

"Many people only see the depression and despair in this blue," she smiled slightly, pointing her finger at a subtle coral-colored line in the center of the canvas. "But look here."

He followed her direction. The color was indeed tiny and easily missed.

"What do you think that is?" He wanted to hear her take on it.

"It's light," Eleanor said. "Not external light, but light growing from within. This blue is too deep and heavy; it's been suppressed for too long. Its core finally couldn't take it anymore, so... it condensed into its own light. A very small one, but real."

Alexander nodded. "Miss Eleanor's insight is truly unique."

"Just my own view. It's hardly enough to interpret a master's work."

Alexander took a business card from his pocket and handed it to Eleanor. "This is my personal card. I'd like to invite Miss Eleanor to consult on the soft furnishings for the Prescott Group's soon-to-be-completed art hotel."

Sebastian, who was forced to attend the art event with his investors, happened to see this scene.

Sebastian's brows furrowed deeply as he watched Eleanor and Alexander talking happily. Claudia's words flashed in his mind.

Could these two be...

No, no, no. Absolutely impossible.

Sebastian immediately rejected the thought.

Alexander was at the top of the food chain. He wouldn't look twice at Eleanor, a married woman who had already had children.

Despite thinking this, Sebastian felt intensely uneasy.

Watching Eleanor's smiling face directed at Alexander, he remembered how long it had been since she smiled at him like that, and he actually felt a pang of jealousy.

Eleanor didn't see Sebastian nearby. She took the business card with both hands.

Working with the Prescott family was a dream for many. Getting this offer so easily made her suspicious.

"This is only our second meeting, and I'm honored by your attention. But I have one question: why did you help me at the auction last time?"

Alexander looked at another painting. "I don't need to explain my actions to anyone. If Miss Eleanor has nothing else, please leave."

This made Eleanor even more confused. One second, he was talking happily and offering a partnership.

Yet now he was sending her away.

Eleanor naturally didn't dare offend such a powerful person. After a polite goodbye, she quickly slipped away.

Just as she reached the door, Sebastian blocked her path.

Eleanor frowned. "Can I help you?"

Sebastian's face was dark. "You are truly shameless! You haven't even divorced me yet, and you're already rushing to flirt with other men?"