I Became the Billionaire's Fake Lover to Get My Revenge
Chapter 38: A Charming Young Lady

Chapter 38: A Charming Young Lady

"Goodness, Mr. Stark! What a delight to see you here as well!"

A short, plump woman clasped her hands against her chest, her thick string of pearls bouncing with the motion. Then, with an enthusiastic smile, she took William’s hand in both of hers, giving it a firm shake.

Judging by the fine lines etched across her face, she was in her late sixties, and much like Mrs. Garrel, she seemed to embrace aging naturally. Her short gray hair and the complete absence of makeup were clear testaments to that.

Yet, despite the passing years, there was an undeniable elegance to her—one that suggested she had been quite the beauty in her youth.

"Is it just me, or are you growing younger by the year?" William teased smoothly, his voice laced with charm.

Mrs. Bastien flushed, laughing as she swatted his shoulder with playful familiarity. "Silver-tongued devil, as always!" She turned her keen gaze on Anna, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "And who is this lovely young lady?"

William’s arm slid easily around Anna’s shoulders, his fingers resting lightly against her arm in a casual yet possessive gesture. "Allow me to introduce my girlfriend, Miss Chloe Dumas," he said with a practiced smile. "Chloe, this is Mrs. Giselle Bastien. Her husband, Mr. Dominique Bastien, owns the Amethyst Surgical Hospital here in Paris."

Anna blinked. Amethyst? The name rang through her mind like a distant bell. That’s where I had my corneal transplant.

"Oh!" Mrs. Bastien’s brows arched in intrigue. "So the rumors are true! I’ve heard whispers about a certain someone being utterly smitten with his mysterious girlfriend."

She regarded Anna with a mock-stern expression, her gaze sweeping over her appraisingly before her lips curled into a wide, knowing smile. A soft chuckle bubbled from her chest.

"Now I understand why they say you’re obsessed with her," she mused, her laughter rich with amusement. "She’s quite the looker!"

"Mrs. Bastien, please," William crooned, his voice laced with amusement as he brushed the back of his fingers against Anna’s flushed cheek. "Look how embarrassed she is!"

"Oh, nonsense, my dear! There’s nothing to be embarrassed about," Mrs. Bastien reassured warmly before turning her sharp gaze toward Anna. "Now, tell me—how is it that I’ve never heard of you before? What is it that you do?"

Anna swallowed, steadying herself to respond smoothly. "It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Bastien," she said, offering a polite smile. "And it doesn’t surprise me that you haven’t heard of me. Until recently, I wasn’t very active in social circles due to the nature of my previous job."

"Oh?" Giselle tilted her head slightly, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "Would that job happen to be... government-related?" she asked in a hushed, conspiratorial tone, as if expecting some great secret.

Anna let out a soft laugh. "Goodness, no," she said, shaking her head. "I was a private art buyer for high-profile clients—including quite a few politicians. So, in a way... I suppose you could say I have worked for the government."

Mrs. Bastien burst into laughter, playfully swatting William on the shoulder. "What a charming young lady you’ve found yourself, Mr. Stark! She’s an absolute delight!"

Then, turning back to Anna, she leaned in slightly, eyes twinkling. "So, are you here tonight on business? Bidding on behalf of another famous client, perhaps?"

Anna shook her head. "I’m afraid not. I actually left that line of work. These days, I’m a public art consultant. I collaborate with renowned galleries, helping them acquire promising works from emerging artists."

"How fascinating!" Mrs. Bastien clasped her hands together, clearly intrigued. "Tell me, then—do your parents share your passion for art?"

"My parents owned a few vineyards," Anna explained, her voice steady. "But they passed away when I was very young, so I spent most of my life in private boarding schools. My guardian and mentor is Mrs. Anaïs Garrel—you must know her."

"Of course!" Mrs. Bastien gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Goodness, what a charming young lady! And your background—impeccable! Mr. Stark, you struck gold!" She nudged William playfully on the shoulder, grinning at Anna with unabashed delight.

Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she leaned in slightly. "Tell me, since you’re well-versed in the arts, would you mind giving me some advice on what I should bid on tonight?"

"Certainly," Anna replied with an easy smile, reaching for one of the glossy brochures resting on a nearby table. "Let’s see... There are quite a few remarkable pieces up for auction tonight, I must admit."

She flipped through the pages, pausing here and there on artworks that caught her eye. Then, tapping a finger against an image of a vivid, chaotic swirl of colors, she spoke. "This one, for example. Do you see how the colors seem to melt into one another, yet retain their vibrancy? It’s an incredibly emotional piece—only an artist with a deep understanding of color theory and raw expression could achieve such seamless blending with such precision."

Turning another page, her fingers stilled over a familiar painting. "The Pomegranate Necklace," she read aloud, her breath hitching slightly.

Her eyes flicked to William, a trace of nervousness in her gaze. It was her painting—the one she had surrendered tonight for the sake of revenge.

William caught her hesitation, offering her a reassuring nod. Drawing in a steadying breath, Anna smoothed her palm over the crisp pages of the pamphlet and continued, her voice even.

"It’s an exquisite homage to the classical style," she noted, tracing the image with her fingertip. "You can tell by the brushstroke technique—the careful layering, the impeccable blending. It’s a masterful replication of a bygone era’s artistry, yet with a soul entirely its own."

She hesitated, searching for the right words to compliment her own painting. It felt strange—almost unnatural—to praise her own skill so openly.

Still, she pressed on. "Do you see the precision of these lines? The meticulous shading? In twenty years, this piece will be studied in universities. Achieving this level of depth and contrast requires extraordinary talent. I can’t wait to see it in person."

"Marvelous!" Mrs. Bastien gasped, her eyes wide with admiration. "Absolutely stunning! Such a young lady, yet such mastery... Fantastic!"

Heat rushed to Anna’s cheeks at the unexpected praise. Before she could respond, William’s hand found her waist again, pulling her snugly against his side. His voice held unmistakable pride as he murmured, "Did you expect anything less from the woman I admire?"

"Not at all!" Giselle laughed.

Just then, a new voice cut through the conversation. "Mother!" A young woman hurried toward them, her features strikingly similar to Mrs. Bastien’s. "I’ve been searching for you everywhere! Have you found something to waste your money on yet?"

Mrs. Bastien dismissed the teasing remark with an affectionate chuckle, looping her arm around the newcomer’s. "Mr. Stark, Miss Dumas, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Sophie. She’s quite the art enthusiast."

"Pleasure to meet you," Sophie said warmly, shaking both William’s and Anna’s hands. Then, turning back to her mother, she added, "There’s someone I’d like you to meet. She’s a friend of mine from abroad—you remember me telling you about her, don’t you?"

"Ah, of course!" Giselle exclaimed. "Where is she?"

Sophie scanned the room, her gaze darting across the crowd until her eyes lit up in recognition. A bright smile spread across her face as she called out, "Susanne! Over here!"

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