Chapter 335
Carmen invited Stan to the art exhibition with the real aim of making him see that the whole competition incident had just been a misunderstanding. Given Stan’s character and Percival’s influence, once the media covered the story, Stan would have no choice but to speak up for her.
By then, with the two titans of the art world backing her, Carmen knew no one would dare bring up her past scandals again.
Character before craft–reputation was everything in the art world.
Although she never showed it, Carmen was well aware that during her recent visits to those masters with Percival, most of them looked down on her, and even their students disdained to associate with her.
Without clearing her name, Carmen knew she would never reach the pinnacle of the art world.
What Carmen never expected was that Stan could still be so hung up on that painting even now. Furthermore, from their earlier conversation, he had even deduced that the creator was most likely Aubree.
When Stan caught her red-handed for plagiarism, he questioned her about the original creator of that painting. Of course, she couldn’t tell him. But she never expected that even after a whole year, he’d still be hung up on it.
Carmen subtly lowered her gaze, concealing the emotions in her eyes. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she mused. ‘Even with Stan here, Aubree won’t escape my carefully laid trap this time!’
Carmen took a steadying breath, and met Stan’s gaze firmly. “Mr. Frazier, I know you’re prejudiced against me, but everything should be based on evidence.
“I hadn’t wanted to bring up the past. After all, I’ve already… There’s no need for Aubree to suffer along with me. But I can’t let my mentor be misunderstood, so, Aubree…” She cast a look of mock apology at Aubree.
She looked quite convincing in her act.
Stan was furious. He fumed, ‘Does Carmen take everyone here for fools?’
Of course, Carmen wasn’t taking everyone for fools. She knew perfectly well that at her art exhibition, whether people came for Percival’s sake, the Wilson family’s reputation, or a genuine appreciation for her art, everyone present was already inclined to take her side from the very beginning.
Her pompous pronouncements, when echoed by Percival, carried the weight of a master’s authority and the allure of idol worship. As a result, even the flimsiest arguments were readily accepted without scrutiny.
Once something had already been judged subjectively, wouldn’t it inevitably take on a whole new meaning as word spread?
“Regardless of how things unfolded, what’s done is done. I admit my fault in indulging Aubree. So today, in front of the press, my mentor, and my family, I want to formally apologize for everything I’ve done.”
Carmen stood poised and dignified, boldly acknowledging her mistakes. This instantly won over many in the crowd.
Stan’s eyes blazed with fury. Approaching sixty, he had devoted his entire life to art and had no wife or children. He would never tolerate anyone exploiting painting for personal gain and framing others right before his eyes.
“What utter nonsense! I vouch on my honor, judging by the level of that painting I saw, Aubree is absolutely destined for the pinnacle of the art world. And it’s not just me. I dare say no one in the entire country can surpass her.
“For someone as talented as Aubree to need to resort to such underhanded tactics just to get noticed–that’s simply laughable. She wouldn’t even need to enter any competitions; just taking the SAT as usual would be more than enough for the entire art world to recognize her.