abcnovels
Chapter 316
Chapter 316
Chapter 316
Chapter 316
Seraphina slowly woke up, sitting quietly on her bed for a while, gathering her thoughts.
Events of the last couple of days played out in her head, forming a clear narrative.
After sitting for a while, she finally got up from the bed.
Just as she opened the door, she bumped into Leandro who was just about to descend the stairs.
“Morning.” Seraphina said, leaning against the doorframe and giving him a small smile.
Leandro, who was initially heading downstairs, walked up to her and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear, “Did you sleep well last night?”
“Very much so.” Seraphina replied, looking up at him, “Why didn’t you join me?”
Leandro just looked at her, meeting her challenging gaze, full of provocation and allure.
Just as he had expected, his Seraphina had bounced back quicker than he had anticipated.
“If you’re upset about it, there’ll be plenty of other opportunities.” Leandro said nonchalantly.
Suddenly, Seraphina hugged him, chuckling, “I’m really looking forward to it!”
%
Just as she finished her sentence, the door to Conway’s room next door opened. Accompanied by a couple of coughs, the old man appeared at the door, casting a glance at them.
Unfazed, Seraphina slowly let go of Leandro and greeted, “Morning, Conway.”
Conway seemed pleased to see her state today. After some thought, he said, “Should we discuss your mother now, or later?”
Upon hearing this, Seraphina glanced at Leandro before asking, “Is it complicated?”
Conway shook his head.
It was actually pretty straightforward, as explained by Magdalen.
Simply put, Carney had always had someone else in his heart, the woman whom Carney’s Jasmine painting was meant to be dedicated to.
While Carney was alive, Magdalen could pretend to be oblivious. But after his passing, the truth had become painfully evident.
This truth was an eternal heartache for Magdalen.
For years, she had been nursing a grudge over this, filled with resentment.
Just a few sentences, a simple truth.
To an outsider, it was merely someone else’s story:
But for those involved, it was a different kind of pain.
“Did she also resent me because I carry Carney’s genes?” Seraphina asked lightly after hearing Conway’s story.
Conway didn’t answer her question, simply stating, “I think she’s moved on after yesterday.”
Seraphina was confused, “Huh?”
“Terrence proposed to your mother yesterday, and she accepted.”
This was completely unexpected for Seraphina, “Proposed?”
“Terrence is a fine young man whom I’ve watched grow up. He has been smitten with your mother since he was young. Now that Magdalen is back, they’ve been seeing each other for a while. He truly loves Magdalen and will treat her well.” Conway sighed deeply, “If she can find her true home, cherished by someone who truly loves her, that would
be wonderful.”
With that, Conway let out another sigh and went downstairs.
Seraphina still stood by the stairs, a little lost in thought about the sudden engagement news.
“Aren’t you happy?” Leandro quietly asked.
Seraphina smiled faintly, “Whether I’m happy or not doesn’t matter, as long as she’s happy. But do you think she really is?”
Leandro just quietly looked at her, without a reply.
Seraphina didn’t seem to want to hear his answer because she had her own.
“She’s not truly happy, she hasn’t moved on.” she muttered, “She’s heartbroken, desperate… even her resentment is gone.”
And all of this was due to yesterday’s painting.
After breakfast, Seraphina bid Leandro goodbye as he was off to work, and then she too left.
Without an appointment, she went directly to Patrick’s company to find him.
Maybe she was lucky, or maybe Patrick had a soft spot for her because in two hours, she met Patrick who had just finished an important meeting.
Patrick was surprised at her sudden visit, “What brings you here all of a sudden?”
Seraphina sat on the chair opposite him, smiling. “This way, I get to see the real state of your company.”
“Are you disappointed?” Patrick asked.
Seraphina shrugged. “So far, it looks good.”
“But you still don’t want to work here.” Patrick succinctly summarized, then smiled, “Get to the point.”
Seraphina looked at him for a moment, then nodded, “I want to ask. Mr. Gray, did you intentionally give me that painting, or was it a coincidence?”
Patrick paused for a moment, “I’m not quite sure what you’re asking?”
“I mean the Jasmine.” Seraphina clarified.
Patrick seemed to understand, he paused then carefully replied, “Yes, I intentionally gave you that painting. I had a detailed understanding of your father’s work. He had many overseas pieces, but it wouldn’t have been appropriate to buy all of them for you. So, I chose this one. It’s the only subject he painted only once. I thought it would be a good gift to express my sincerity.”
“That’s it?” Seraphina asked.
Patrick seemed puzzled at her question but nodded slowly, “I promise, that’s all.”
Hearing this, Seraphina nodded then said, “Then could you tell me how you obtained this painting? I want to know who the collector was.”
“Sure thing,” Patrick said. “I bought this painting from a friend, who, as far as I know, also bought it from someone else. The painting’s origins aren’t untraceable. If you’re curious about who originally owned it, I can probably dig that up for you.”
After listening, Seraphina smiled and asked, “When can you get that information?”
Patrick paused for a moment before laughing. “Are you in a hurry?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Okay,” Patrick said, “Give me some time.”
“Thank you,” Seraphina sighed.
Patrick immediately called his friend, while Seraphina used the waiting time to drop in on Terrell’s office.
After touring Terrell’s office and having a brief chat, she got a call from Patrick.
So, Seraphina immediately went back to Patrick’s office, and Patrick, who had found the answer, looked at her with a strange and complicated look.
“What’s up?” asked Seraphina, “Is the result shocking?”
“Not exactly,” Patrick slowly replied, “It’s just a bit of a coincidence.”
Patiently, Seraphina sat and waited for his answer.
“The original owner of this painting was Adelina,” Patrick said, looking at her, “Adelina, Andrea’s biological mother.”
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