The Wicked Wife's Dark History Keeps Coming Back To Haunt Her - Chapter 238
“By the way, how much was the rental fee for the gallery?”
A gallery belonging to such a great figure would never have been cheap.
“The rental fee and incidental costs followed the standard contract.”
“Really?”
When Nina asked with a doubtful look, Ash nodded.
‘That’s odd. A standard contract would mean an average price. Is it even possible to rent a gallery of this scale at an average rate…?’
Henry’s solo exhibition would run for a full fifteen days.
The rental fee for fifteen days, the wages for the staff, the drinks and other services provided to the guests.
Altogether, in modern money it would probably cost tens of millions.
‘Unless…’
Considering the Count’s obsessive passion for art, perhaps it wasn’t strange at all.
The moment the thought crossed her mind, Nina asked suspiciously.
“You didn’t say you’d hand Henry’s paintings over, did you?”
“They did request priority purchasing rights, but I refused. That authority belongs to you.”
Ash’s voice carried a faint hint of regret.
He knew exactly why she wanted to invest in Henry.
She had told him herself that she planned to use her dowry as an investment for her future… and for her alimony after their divorce.
Part of him wanted to block Henry’s success so she couldn’t choose divorce so easily.
He wanted her to remain with him and settle into his arms.
But he couldn’t do that.
That was why he had intended to attend the exhibition alone and hide the date from her.
It had been an impulsive decision driven by ugly, unreasonable jealousy, one he regretted deeply.
But even if he could turn back time, he still wouldn’t have told Nina the date.
Henry was the only man who had ever captured her interest in any way.
And he happened to be exactly the sort of man she wanted, the so-called man she could have a child with and then leave.
Ash might not show it, but he was anxious, unable to get a firm hold on her heart, so he had no choice but to minimize any opportunities for the two to interact.
“Let’s get out now. It seems the exhibition has already begun.”
After ending the conversation, Ash stepped out of the carriage, then extended a hand to Nina.
As she gently took his hand and lowered herself to the ground, gazes flew at her from every direction.
She had not realized it before, but his wife drew attention wherever she went.
Her uncommon soft pink hair, her delicate appearance that provoked a protective instinct, and her shapely figure that stirred a quiet desire.
This was precisely why he disliked coming to crowded places.
With a faint furrow of his brow, Ash pulled her closer, as if shielding her from all the eyes around them.
“Do you think Duke Granvil will come today?”
“Not only Duke Granvil. We also sent an invitation to House Taylor, so you might even see your parents.”
Nina pouted slightly.
If she had known in advance, she would have sent invitations to her own acquaintances as well.
Especially Lady Barrington.
If she spread word through the Barrington weekly that Henry’s work was displayed in Count Conwell’s gallery, surely it would shorten the time it took for him to become a court painter.
‘And if I’d invited Sophia, it would have been killing two birds with one stone…!’
No, no.
Nina shook her head.
Sophia had only recently ended her engagement.
It was too soon for her to appear in public again.
‘People already know her former fiancé suffered a ‘serious health issue’…’
If she went to an exhibition, people would whisper that she was heartless.
‘It’s better to restore Sophia’s reputation separately…’
Nina dismissed the thought and continued walking.
Unlike the guests who had to wait in line, she entered through the private entrance with a free pass. She glanced around inside and froze.
“……”
Among the guests who had entered earlier and were leisurely admiring the paintings stood someone she absolutely did not want to see.
Rebecca Nord.
Rebecca’s eyes curved slyly as soon as their gazes met.
‘What on earth is she doing here…?’
ReadingRainbow9266
Honestly, the best thing to do with that woman is just ignore her and walk away. That would probably piss her off the most