“A capable person would have the qualifications to negotiate terms. Old Mr. Collins, do you think I have that capability?” Her red lips curled upward and everyone heard her calm words. “I’m refusing your offer.”
“Why?” Old Mr. Collins was flustered. Could it be that I’m too late and this young lady is already someone else’s disciple?
She tucked her hair and sluggishly replied, “I don’t acknowledge your skills.”
Her words stirred up another uproar at the scene.
“Has she gone mad? She’s embarrassing Old Mr. Collins!”
“She’s too arrogant. Old Mr. Collins is a skilled artist!”
“Is she questioning Old Mr. Collins’ skills?”
Upon hearing the discussion among the crowd, his expression instantly darkened. Although he admired her talent, he disliked her haughty way of speaking.
“Young lady, on what basis do you say so? How could you speak in an arrogant manner just because I’ve given you an opportunity to be my disciple?”
Megan attempted to step forward to explain. After all, Janet was also the daughter of the Jackson Family. Therefore, whether it was Emily or Janet who was accepted as his disciple, it would glorify their family’s reputation. Nevertheless, Janet was faster than Megan by a mere second. “No, it’s just that I’m not convinced by your skills.”
Everyone was rendered speechless.
With that, Old Mr. Collins was absolutely mortified as nobody had ever questioned his skills after many years, but the young lady had the courage to do so. “Hmph, what makes you think that you are so great? Such an arrogant kid!” He then rushed off in a huff.
He was pissed off and left while the crowd reprimanded her in fury.
“How could you speak to an elderly man like that?”
“You shouldn’t have said that to Old Mr. Collins. You weren’t even born when he started painting!”
“Don’t think that you can be so full of yourself just because you know a thing or two. With this attitude of yours, you will be screwed sooner or later!”
She was unperturbed by the crowd’s discussion, as if nothing had happened.
Joshua stepped forward and stopped her. “Young lady, you have angered my teacher! Aren’t you afraid that Old Mr. Collins may ignore you after this?”
He was conflicted because everyone was respectful toward his teacher and dared to talk to him in that manner.
“Don’t worry, that won’t happen.”
He uttered, “This…”
Upon hearing Janet’s words, everyone had a look of disdain on their faces.
At a corner of the banquet, Emily finally breathed a sigh of relief. Janet has offended Old Mr. Collins and it seems like her discipleship ceremony won’t happen either—just like mine.
Only God knew how staggered she was when she heard how arrogant Janet was, but at the same time, she was delighted. By offending Old Mr. Collins, you are doomed! Haha!
Megan, who stood at one side, felt helpless yet shocked. My two daughters—the incapable one likes to tell lies whereas the other one is too conceited and doesn’t know how to speak nicely. Emily’s another story; she has lied to me from time and time, causing me to be mortified. Looks like I’ll need to have a proper talk with Brian after this.
After the banquet ended, the three people, including the butler who drove, remained silent throughout the journey.
When they arrived at the Jackson residence, Megan locked herself in the room, refusing to look at Emily, no matter how hard she pleaded with her mother. Megan was deeply hurt by Emily’s actions.
It was at that time when Brian returned home. Upon seeing Emily pacing in circles in the living room, he walked up to her and asked, “Emily, what’s wrong? You guys are supposed to attend the discipleship ceremony today, right?”
Janet, who happened to see the scene from the bannister on the first floor, chimed in. “It fell through.” Then, she entered her room.
“Dad, please help me to console Mom…”
When he saw the guilty expression on Emily’s face, he could roughly guess the reason.
Upon entering the room, he saw the reflection of Megan sobbing in the mirror and immediately rushed to her, consoling, “Darling, why are you crying?”
Upon seeing that it was Brian, she immediately threw herself into his arms. “Brian, do you think that it was the correct decision to allow Emily to stay?”
“What’s wrong?” he patted her back in distress.
Megan quietly wept. “It was only today that I discovered that the painting, which Emily gave to Old Mr. Collins, was actually stolen from Janet.”
