<b>Chapter </b><b>217 </b>
Hannah was all smiles, never noticing the mocking curve of Mono’s lips. Forcing a master to ept a student in public? Only a fool <b>would </b>do such <b>a </b>thing
Mono was about to speak when the Secretary General, Westin Deleon, <b>burst </b>out of the Fine Art Society with a group of teachers, grasping <b>Mond’s </b>arm.
“Professor”
Westin was one of Mono’s former students at Mandino University–he’d managed to make <b>a </bsting impression simply by being persistent enough.
After graduating, Westin had quickly risen to be Secretary General.
Westin’s interruption broke the moment. Mono ignored Liam and <b>Hannah</b>, litting his chin as he walked in. “What’s the rush, Westin? I’m not about to make a run for it.”
Outside, Liam sighed, troubled, “Mano really doesn’t like me.
Hannah patted his arm reassuringly. “Don’t worry. Mono likes Collin and takes him as an apprentice, getting a painting won’t be a problem.”
Liam wasn’t convinced. “Mono must have extremely high standards for taking students.”
Hannah sounded absolutely sure of herself. “That’s not necessarily true. No one’s ever seen Mono’s apprentice–or their work. If they were truly that good, why keep everything a secret? I bet Collin will blow Mono’s <b>student </b>out of the water.”
She spoke with <b>such </b>certainty, Liam started to wonder if the Gibson family had some kind of hidden ace
Inside, Westin caned his neck, locking around. “Professor Mono, is my seniornoting?”
Mono <b>had </b>once shown his students a copy made by his apprentice–the nature had been so sloppy everyone <b>just </b>assumed it was some guy
Mononever bothered to correct them
“Well, Don’t mention it,” Mono replied coolly, “but this time, I did bring something with me.”
He nced at Gael, who immediately lowered one of the suitcases to the ground and unzipped it.
<b>Inside </b>was a canvas, wrapped in in white cloth.
“Westin’s eyes lit up. He could <b>barely </b>contain his excitement. “is this one of <b>yours</b>? Are you nning <b>a </b>big return?”
“This is my apprentice’s work. Take a look and decide if <b>it’s </b>good enough for your exhibition,” Mono replied. There was a trace of pride in his voice though he’d never admit i
Westin grinned. “Professor<b>, </b>you’re joking. Your apprentice’s work is definitely worthy. I’m <b>dying </b>to see it.”
With bated breath, Westin carefully ced the frame on the rack to the left. Mono watched without a word.
Westin slowly lifted the who cloth.
All eyes were drawn to the painting. The entire canvas was a swirl of ck–unfriendly at first nce, chaotic lines circling round and round, creating a dark vortex at the center.
And at the very heart of that darkness, a single fed eye stared back<b>, </b>as if ready to pull the viewer into the abyss.
The teachers drew closer, each transfixed by the painting.
The longer they stared, the more they say buried in the tangled lines were countless pairs of eyes, each expressing something different.
<b>13:03 </b>Tue<b>, </b><b>10 </b>Jun
Everyone tried to pick out the pair that called to them.
Finally, Gael draped the white cloth back over the canvas, snapping them all out of their trance.
The room was silent, the shock palpable.
This painting was electrifying–almost unsettling.
Westin’s chest heaved as he tried to calm his racing heart.
Suddenly, <b>he </b>understood why Mono had only shown them copies back in university,
They wouldn’t have <b>been </b>able to handle this style back then, it would have thrown their entire worldview into chaos.
Mono signaled to Gael again, who produced a second painting and set it up.
This one was of mountains and streams, serene and gentle, washing away the oppressive darkness of the first.
Westin couldn’t help but exim, “Isn’t this the one <b>the </b>Society put in our permanent collection? How is it here with you?”
Mono’s smile was deep and knowing “Look again.”