Chapter 15: A Slap in the Face

Clare knew that once the Kew family found their biological daughter, the truth that she was not their real daughter would be exposed, and many people would mock her. She could not tolerate such a thing happening, so she had to marry Joaquin to show everyone that even if she wasn't the Kew family's biological daughter, she could still marry the most prestigious man and have the most honorable status. It had to be Joaquin. No other man would do.

"Mom, do you think Joaquin really had a whirlwind marriage with that woman? He's not someone who acts impulsively."

Irene held her daughter's hand. "Clare, what's important is not whether the marriage is real but his attitude. His attitude is already very clear. Besides, Nathan also seems very satisfied with that girl."

Indeed, whether Joaquin's marriage was real or not was not important. What mattered was his attitude.

A sharp glint flashed in Clare's eyes. "I understand." After a pause, she asked, "Mom, has Mr. Hector arrived?"

"Yes, he's downstairs."

Knowing that Joaquin liked painting, Clare had specifically enrolled in an art academy. Unable to become Bryson's apprentice, she studied under another teacher and learned painting, which she didn't like at all. Occasionally, she even had to shamelessly ask Bryson for guidance. She had worked hard for so long. How could she give up easily?

At that moment, her phone suddenly rang.

Clare smiled. "Mom, I'm fine now. You go downstairs and entertain the guests. I'll come down in a bit."

"Are you really okay?"

"Yes, I'm really fine. You're right. I have to face reality."

Irene gently patted her daughter's hand. "It's good that you understand. I'll go down first."

"Okay." Clare nodded. "Thank you, Mom."

"Silly child, no need to be polite with me."

As soon as Irene left the room, Clare immediately checked her phone messages.

Earlier when Aylin appeared, Clare had ordered her subordinates to investigate her background. Looking at the information received, Clare was incredulous. That woman was not only a poor student without parents but also someone even a third-rate pseudo-aristocratic family like the Rodway family didn't want... She had even become a laughingstock at the University of Faypine.

Was Joaquin crazy? How could he have a whirlwind marriage with such a woman?

Feeling humiliated that such a woman had taken away the man she liked, Clare thought there must be a fake marriage involved! She couldn't believe Joaquin would let such a woman become the wife of the ZenZest's president.

Putting away her phone, Clare touched up her makeup. Though not stunningly beautiful, money had given her some noblewoman's aura. Her features were delicate and pretty. She could be considered a beauty with poise.

Straightening her light purple custom-made gown, she walked out of the room like a proud princess and told the servant outside the door, "Bring up the 'Whispers Between Mountain and Stream' painting I prepared for Grandpa."

As soon as she entered the banquet hall, Clare's eyes fell on Joaquin. Seeing the woman beside him, a cold glint flashed in her eyes before she smiled and walked over to Gregory.

"Grandpa." She smiled sweetly and sat next to him.

"Oh, Clare, you're here." Gregory's tone carried some affection. Although Clare wasn't his biological granddaughter, he had raised her for 20 years and had feelings for her.

Clare smiled again and greeted Nathan and Bryson politely, "Sir Beckham, Mr. Hector."

The two men responded with smiles.

She continued, "Mr. Hector, thank you for your guidance earlier. I've been busy with my art exhibition recently and haven't had time to thank you properly."

Although Clare wasn't very well-known in the art world, she had won some awards and held two solo exhibitions at the National Arts Centre.

She glanced at Aylin out of the corner of her eye with disdain hidden in her gaze.

She wanted Aylin and everyone else to understand what it meant to be worlds apart.

Bryson replied, "It was nothing. No need to be polite."

Clare lacked artistic talent. Her paintings lacked soul and were obviously driven by ambition. However, given her status as the Kew family's daughter, people still praised her work regardless of its quality.

Bryson saw through it but didn't say anything. He simply advised her to stay calm and not rush things while painting.

After a pause, Clare looked at Joaquin with admiration and sadness in her eyes. Suppressing all emotions, she smiled softly and said, "Hello, Joaquin."

Joaquin glanced at her and responded indifferently out of respect for the Kew family.

"Is this your wife?" Clare glanced at Aylin.

Gregory Introduced, "Clare, this is Joaquin's wife, Aylin Lovelace."

Clare maintained her smile. "Hello, Miss Lovelace."

Aylin smiled faintly, "Hello, Miss Kew."

Clare looked at Joaquin again but said nothing more. Instead, she turned to Gregory. "Grandpa, look at the gift I prepared for you."

Gregory said with a smile, "Let's see what my granddaughter has prepared for me."

Clare looked at the servant and instructed, "Open it."

The servant immediately brought out a painting and unrolled it. "Sir, Miss Kew has gifted you a painting."

Clare said, "This is the 'Whispers Between Mountain and Stream', the only work by the genius painter, Cornelius Atwood. Do you like it?"

Gregory stood up to admire the magnificent painting and nodded in satisfaction. "Yes! The landscapes are vivid and lifelike, truly a masterpiece by Cornelius. I really like it."

Clare smiled, "I'm glad you do."

Aylin looked at the painting before them with deep eyes and instinctively spoke up, "This painting..."

This painting was a forgery.

The real 'Whispers Between Mountain and Stream' was housed in the Museum of Faypine. It couldn't be bought or sold.

However, saying this publicly might not be appropriate.

Clare looked over and asked, "What's wrong with this painting?"

Aylin replied, "Nothing."

Clare laughed, "I thought Miss Lovelace also understood the paintings."

Seeing the contemptuous smile in Clare's eyes, Aylin said, "I know a little bit about them."

"Oh? Really? Would you like to comment on this 'Whispers Between Mountain and Stream'?"

Aylin declined, "No need."

"Why?" Clare pretended to joke, "Miss Lovelace isn't pretending to know something you don't understand?"

In fact, Aylin didn't want to engage with her.

Gregory's face changed slightly as he coughed lightly, a warning look directed at Clare not to speak recklessly.

He knew Clare liked Joaquin, but since he didn't reciprocate those feelings, they couldn't force it either. Even if Clare felt upset, she shouldn't speak like this towards Aylin in front of Nathan and Joaquin. It was truly rude!

However, Clare wouldn't let it go easily. "Are you afraid of damaging it? Don't worry. Even though this painting is precious, it won't get damaged easily."

Seeing that Clare wouldn't relent, Aylin stopped being polite. "I'm not worried about damaging it, because it's a forgery."

As her words fell, everyone's expressions varied. They all turned towards Aylin, including the astonished-looking Joaquin.

Clare laughed. A poor student like her wouldn't know anything about valuable paintings. She probably had never even seen one before! Why pretend?

"Does Miss Lovelace truly understand paintings? Saying it's fake without even looking closely, isn't that just joking?"

Aylin ignored her. Instead, she addressed apologetically, "Sorry. Mr. Kew, I didn't mean to spoil your mood, but this painting really is fake, although well-copied. It still has some collectible value."

Gregory hesitated briefly before asking Bryson for confirmation, who naturally supported his disciple. He got up and examined it closely himself.

"Well, Aylin is right. This painting is indeed a counterfeit. The real 'Whispers Between Mountain and Stream' is in the museum and isn't available for sale. Clare must have been deceived."

No one believed Aylin, but no one would doubt Bryson's words.

Clare's expression changed drastically, her face red in embarrassment, quite the spectacle.

"I'm sorry, Grandpa. This was a collector recommended by a friend. I didn't expect him to deceive me and didn't examine it closely. I was too trusting..."

Gregory looked at her with a hint of reproach but didn't say anything harsh. "It's alright. Even professionals can misjudge antiques. It's only natural for you."

Bryson added, "That's right. The painting is indeed a good imitation and has some age to it. It's not easy to spot the difference at first glance."

Clare's expression remained unsightly.

Gregory continued, "Alright, it's the thought that counts. Clare, there's no need to dwell on this."

Nathan had initially worried that Aylin might feel wronged, but now he was beaming with delight. His granddaughter-in-law was knowledgeable, confident, and unafraid of authority. She was a strong counter to the situation, just like a true member of the Beckham family.

However, he still put on a look of apology. "Aylin is too straightforward. Don't take it to heart, Gregory."

Gregory didn't feel right blaming anyone. Aylin hadn't intended to speak up. However, his granddaughter had been aggressive, and in the end, it was her own pride that was hurt.

He chuckled, "It's nothing. After knowing each other for so many years, do you think I'm that petty?"

Nathan laughed, "Of course not."

Gregory then turned to Aylin and praised, "Aylin has a good eye. She clearly has some knowledge of paintings."

Aylin apologized again, "I'm sorry."

Gregory waved his hand dismissively, smiling nonchalantly, "It's fine. It's just us here, no outsiders. It's not a big deal, really."

Clare looked at Aylin, her eyes growing colder.

Aylin merely happened to know that this painting was in the museum.

Aylin then glanced at Joaquin, her gaze carrying a deeper meaning. She could tell that Clare was targeting her because she liked Joaquin.

At that moment, Joaquin suddenly took Aylin's hand and said, "Sir Kew, I'm sorry, but Aylin and I have some matters to attend to, so we won't be able to join the banquet later."

Gregory replied, "It's alright. I'm glad you could make it tonight. You two can go and handle your business."

Joaquin nodded slightly and added, "Grandpa, Mr. Hector, we'll be leaving now."

Nathan responded, "Alright, go ahead."

Bryson said, "Be careful."

"Sir Kew, Mr. Hector, and Nathan, goodbye," Aylin said, nodding to the three before leaving with Joaquin.

As she watched Joaquin's departing figure, Clare felt a pang of reluctance. "I'll go see them off," she declared, chasing after them.

Gregory felt a flash of awkwardness and instructed the servant to put the painting away before returning to his seat. "Nathan, Clare is being thoughtless. I'll have a word with her later. Now, let's continue our tea."

Nathan smiled, "Young people tend to be impulsive."

As Aylin and Joaquin stepped out of the banquet hall, Frederick approached them from the lawn. "Are you two leaving already?"

"Yeah," Joaquin replied. "Please tell Mr. And Mrs. Kew we're leaving."

Understanding his reluctance to stay, Frederick nodded. "Alright, take care on the road."

Just then, Clare rushed over. "Joaquin."

She quickly walked up to him, fixing her gaze on him and deliberately speaking in vague terms. "Why are you leaving so soon? Is it because of me?"

Joaquin's expression remained cold as he ignored her completely.

Frederick frowned, his voice icy. "Clare, stop causing a scene." He then pulled her away.

Joaquin wrapped his arm around Aylin's waist. "Let's go."

Watching their retreating figures, Clare seethed with anger but didn't dare to explode at that moment.

After walking for a while, Aylin glanced at the man beside her and suddenly asked, "What's your relationship with that Miss Kew?"

"I have no relationship with her," Joaquin replied.

"Really?" Aylin was skeptical.

"At least not the kind of relationship you're thinking of."

"Regardless, she definitely hates me now."

Joaquin suddenly stopped, looking at her. "Are you afraid?"

"Not really," Aylin said, meeting his gaze. "I just feel like I'll be at a loss during these two years of the marriage agreement."

This fake marriage was turning out to be more complicated than she had anticipated, and it might even bring more trouble.

Joaquin turned to face her directly. "Do you regret it?"

Aylin answered honestly, "A little."

"Too bad. It's too late for regrets." With that, Joaquin suddenly pulled her into his arms.

Aylin was taken aback. "W-What are you doing?"

Joaquin's eyes deepened as he leaned down, kissing her lips.

Aylin's eyes widened in shock, filled with disbelief.