Chapter 5 Pursuit

The exhibition regained its order.

The lights brightened again, and the music shifted to a softer melody.

After a brief explanation from the host, the audience's attention quickly returned to the artwork.

Evelyn stood in the center of the gallery, her expression calm.

"Thanks for coming, everyone. I hope tonight's exhibition gives you something new to think about."

"I've always felt that art is more than just decoration. It captures emotions and carries thoughts. It guides us, offering new perspectives and insights."

"My work is just my personal expression. It might not be perfect, and it might not resonate with everyone. But if it touches you in some way, I consider myself lucky."

She nodded and offered a faint smile.

"Thanks again for being here tonight, and thanks to the organizers and the team for their support. I hope we can meet again in different ways in the future."

With that, she stepped aside, leaving the stage to the curator and the commentators.

The front-row guests held their champagne glasses and chatted quietly, while more people began to move around to view the exhibited works.

She maintained a polite smile, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, but her heart remained cold.

Sure enough, someone approached her soon.

Liam Kendall from Starshine Realty raised his glass, his face beaming with enthusiasm.

"Sarah, your paintings are truly stunning. Our company headquarters has a spacious lobby on the first floor. If we could display your work there, it would surely become a city landmark."

Before Evelyn could respond, Sam Finch from Rongtai Group squeezed in.

"Our group's hotel needs long-term artwork displays. If you're willing, we can sign a ten-year contract."

Their tones were polite and warm, as if afraid of missing an opportunity.

Evelyn's lips curved slightly.

She remembered clearly how, at the Collins family dinner years ago, these same people had belittled her with their wine glasses in hand.

Some said she had no background, others called her just a baby machine, and some even mocked her to her face.

She had bowed her head and endured it back then.

Now, they smiled and flattered her, eager to curry favor.

"Thank you," she said calmly. "You can contact my team for specific projects."

The sales director immediately stepped in, politely and firmly guiding them to register.

She said no more, her gaze already shifting away.

How ironic.

Six years ago, she was seen as a burden beside Arthur, ordinary in their eyes.

Six years later, they scrambled to hand her their business cards.

"We're planning a contemporary art collaboration. If you're interested, we can offer the best terms." Someone handed over materials.

"Our fund has an art allocation section. We highly value your work and hope to purchase several pieces in one go," another person said urgently.

"Our bank can provide art financial services and support charity projects," yet another person said with a smile.

Voices came wave after wave, and the crowd around her surged like a tide.

Everyone smiled, talking about collaboration, appreciation, and support.

Evelyn's expression remained unchanged, her lips maintaining a faint curve.

She occasionally nodded, occasionally spoke, her tone cold and distant.

"You can contact the team."

"Please send the materials first; we will evaluate."

"Thank you, not interested."

She said little and offered no explanations, pushing each person towards her sales and legal teams.

But in her heart, she had already marked each one.

Behind every smiling face, she could recall the contemptuous expressions from six years ago.

She remembered every word they had said.

Evelyn knew how she had been treated as a joke at the Collins family dinner table, ignored with disdain.

Standing in the center of the crowd, holding a champagne glass, she coldly scanned these familiar faces.

Six years ago, she had noted every slight.

Six years later, she would make them pay, with interest.

The sales team had taken over, collecting everyone's information and arranging the order.

She didn't look, only giving a brief instruction. "Follow the standard process, no exceptions."

As the noisy crowd was led away by the sales team, the gallery gradually quieted down.

The audience paused before the artworks, and the media took photos from a distance.

She stood under the spotlight, her expression steady, as if the recent chaos had nothing to do with her.

The crowd dispersed wave after wave, and the exhibition's order was restored.

The commentator led the next group of visitors into the third exhibition area, security maintained the queue at the entrance, and staff whispered among themselves.

The sales director approached her quietly, asking, "Sarah, how should we handle these people later?"

"Treat everyone equally," she said, her eyelids drooping, her tone somewhat lazy. "No matter their status or reputation, no exceptions."

"Understood," the sales director nodded.

At the end, the host returned to the stage, briefly announcing the successful first day of the exhibition.

Applause erupted.

Evelyn stepped forward, standing beside the curator, smiling and bowing to the audience.

She looked at the smiling faces below, hearing the applause and chatter, but felt no emotion.

As the applause faded, she returned backstage with her team.

Ella was sitting on a small stool with her sketchbook. Seeing Evelyn return, she immediately ran over and grabbed her hand tightly.

"Sweetheart, it's over," Evelyn said softly.

Ella looked up at her, her eyes bright, and wrote in her notebook: [Mommy did great.]

Evelyn reached out and ruffled Ella's hair.

The sales director entered with a stack of documents. "Sarah, thirty-seven organizations submitted collaboration requests today. Here's the initial categorization."

"Go ahead."

"Six public institutions, two universities, three art museums. Seventeen private collectors, half with good conditions, the rest need further verification. Seven companies related to the Collins family, one advertising company that worked with the Collins family, and two financial institutions."

Evelyn looked up, her gaze cold. "Reply to them all that the schedule is full."

The sales director hesitated. "All of them?"

"All of them," she said without a hint of hesitation.

The meeting room fell silent for a moment.

The sales director nodded, setting those documents aside.

"Also, set up a charity slot," she added. "Prioritize the Children's Blood Foundation and hospital art therapy projects. Price at the base rate, with a non-transferable clause in the contract."

"Understood," the legal team recorded diligently.

Evelyn held Ella's hand, her gaze on the stack of documents.

The information was categorized, and old scores were settled.

The security announcement for the end of the exhibition sounded, the lights dimmed, and the audience began to leave.

Staff packed up equipment, legal sorted contracts, and sales arranged follow-ups in the negotiation area.

Evelyn put on her coat, holding Ella's hand, quietly leaving through the back. She didn't look back at the gallery.

The night breeze blew in through the side door, bringing a chill.

Ella looked up at her and gestured. "Are we going home now?"

"Yes, home. Julian is waiting for us."