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Novel Catalog
Along the drive, Bella and Justin sat side by side, the distance between them palpable.
Bella kept her gaze fixed firmly out the window, her body language clearly expressing her disdain for Justin’s presence.
Justin stole occasional glances at her, wanting to speak, but words eluded him.
The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken thoughts.
Nigel’s private villa was located in Crescent Bay, Savrow, a tranquil, secluded place nestled between the mountains.
The calm of the surroundings contrasted sharply with the tension in the car as they approached the estate.
“Grandpa! I’m here to see you!” Bella’s voice broke through the silence, and her face lit up as she entered the villa.
The gloom that had clouded her expression lifted instantly, replaced by a bright smile that could rival the moon’s glow.
Her cheerful tone was like the sweet trill of a bird, soothing the air around them.
However, underneath the brightness, Bella still harbored some anxiety about the bracelet she wore.
She had been preparing herself mentally for Nigel’s reaction.
“Anna, you’re here! I’ve missed you so much, my dear!” Nigel greeted her enthusiastically, his voice filled with warmth as he was wheeled in by his secretary, Matt Upton.
As soon as Nigel saw Bella, the weariness on his face disappeared, and he beamed with excitement, his age seemingly forgotten.
His expression became youthful and eager, a stark contrast to his usual sluggish demeanor.
“Girl, where have you been running off to these past few days? Don’t you love me anymore?!” He took Bella’s hand, squeezing it tightly while showering her with questions and affection.
Justin couldn’t hide his displeasure.
His lips tightened, and a flicker of irritation crossed his features.
He couldn’t help but think how his grandfather was a charmer even at his age.
He imagined what Nigel must’ve been like when he was a young man courting his first love—probably worse than Ryan, he mused.
“Grandpa, I’ve been busy with work.
I went on a business trip, and I didn’t have time to contact you.
I’m sorry, Grandpa.
You can scold me if you’d like,” Bella said sweetly, kneeling in front of Nigel’s wheelchair, a charming smile on her face.
“How could I scold you, my dear? I’m just happy to see you,” Nigel responded, his voice softening with affection.
His tone shifted suddenly as he glared at Justin.
“If it weren’t for a certain blind and heartless brat, I could’ve seen my precious granddaughter-in-law every day.
I wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble to find you!”
Bella forced a smile, feeling the awkwardness of the situation.
She had no response, as she wasn’t ready to argue with Nigel.
Justin, meanwhile, stood stiffly, the corners of his mouth twitching with frustration.
He realized that he had made a mistake by coming along.
Now he was going to endure another round of his grandfather’s teasing.
“Anna, I’ve got a new painting! I’ve been saving it to show you first,” Nigel said eagerly, his excitement palpable.
“You just want me to appraise it, don’t you?” Bella teased with a sly smile.
“Hehe… You caught me!” Nigel laughed, clearly delighted by her sharp wit.
Justin, who had been standing silently in the background, was startled.
He had been married to Bella for three years, yet he hadn’t known how many talents she had.
She was articulate, an excellent racer, a skilled calligrapher, a talented tailor, and even an appraiser.
It amazed him how one person could be so multifaceted.
Curiosity piqued, Justin found himself wanting to see this hidden side of her.
In the study, Matt had carefully laid out the painting on a long sandalwood table, wearing white gloves to protect it.
“Anna, I just got this.
Please help me appraise it,” Nigel said, his eyes shining with anticipation.
“Of course, Grandpa.
” Bella stood in front of the painting, her eyes narrowing as she picked up a magnifying glass.
She adjusted her position, placing her left hand behind her back as she studied the artwork closely.
Justin, watching her from behind, found himself smiling.
For a moment, she looked like an old scholar, lost in her examination of the painting.
The juxtaposition of her beauty and her focused seriousness was oddly amusing.
Nigel’s eyes flickered to the bracelet on Bella’s left wrist.
Though his expression remained loving, there was a brief moment of curiosity.
“This is The Equestrian Portrait of Charles V by Titian, a master of Venetian painting from the Renaissance,” Bella announced confidently, a slight curl to her lips.
“Indeed,” Nigel nodded, a proud smile on his face.
Justin, ever the skeptic, narrowed his eyes and moved closer to the painting.
He studied it quietly, his mind working as he analyzed the details.
“It bears the style and characteristic techniques of Titian’s works, but we can’t be sure it’s an authentic Titian piece,” Justin murmured, noting the strong brushstrokes and the vivid pigments used in the painting.
