Chapter 921
“You know Jamie’s temperament–he’d rather have nothing than settle for less. If he didn’t truly like. something, he would never compromise.
“At the time, MK was still a rookie. The prices weren’t high, at least affordable enough for my brother to indulge his passion. Later, when he spent a fortune to acquire MK’s paintings, it was his way of giving back. But…”
Johanna’s lips curved into a teasing smile as she looked at Victoria. “You really are something, aren’t you? For you, he’s even willing to set aside his years–long obsession.”
Victoria’s gaze shifted to the painting hanging on the wall. “I wanted to buy it because the silhouette in the picture reminded me of myself. But a back view alone… the angle, the clothes–similarities are inevitable. For all we know, the person in the painting may not even be me.”
Johanna shook her head. “It doesn’t matter if it isn’t. Jamie didn’t buy this painting for the silhouette.”
Fearing Victoria might misunderstand, she quickly added, “Listen, Victoria—Jamie started collecting MK’s works long before this painting ever appeared. He didn’t fall for MK’s art because of some resemblance to you, and he certainly didn’t mistake the figure in the painting for you and then project his feelings onto it.”
Even if this had been nothing more than a landscape, Jamie would have paid dearly to add it to his collection. Besides, he had never once thought the figure in the painting was Victoria. Truth be told, he probably still hadn’t noticed. Jamie only saw it as one of MK’s newer pieces, with a beautifully crafted atmosphere.
And Victoria was right–it may very well not be her. But what if it wasn’t? What did it matter?
Neither she, nor Victoria, nor Jamie treated it as anything significant. Just a silhouette. If mistaken, then so be it. As long as Victoria liked it, that was enough.
It had nothing to do with the painting. Nothing to do with the back view.
After a pause, Johanna added softly, “From beginning to end, the only woman my brother has ever loved is you.” Jamie’s love for Victoria began that night in the back garden, when he discovered that she had suffered a fate as harsh as his own, yet still faced the world with such resilience and courage, never bowing to destiny.
That night, they had spoken of everything–backgrounds, dreams, even personal tastes. And in those few hours, Jamie fell for her.
His love wasn’t the shallow spark of love at first sight. It was born from understanding and shared words.
Though it had only been one evening, it was enough for Jamie to decide he would fight for her with everything he had.
Johanna explained all this because she feared Victoria might misunderstand and think Jamie had only mistaken her for the figure in the painting.
That was impossible.
He had already fallen for Victoria long before this painting came into his hands. In fact, he only saw the
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Chapter 921
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silhouette after purchasing it not long ago. But his feelings for Victoria had burned steadily for five, six years.
Victoria understood perfectly what Johanna was trying to say. Smiling faintly, she replied, “I never misunderstood. I simply think it’s wonderful that Jamie and I both appreciate MK’s art. If the chance arises, I’d truly love to meet this artist someday.”
“Jamie would love that as well,” Johanna said warmly. “He admires MK greatly and has even been trying to track the artist down. He hopes to commission a portrait of you. Once we hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
“All right.”
Upon hearing Thomas’s words, Xavier immediately tried to contact Sharon and Wendy.
But it was just as Thomas had warned–neither could be reached.
