<b>Chapter </b><b>232 </b>
Russell <b>flicked </b>his lighter, a blue me dancing as smoke curled upward, veiling his expression,
“Get me a high–res version,” he said quietly.
<b>“</b>On it.” Ondo sent off a message, and in a few minutes, got a reply [The sketch is destroyed. He’s giving up the search
Ondo handed the phone over. Russell scrolled through the messages, then tossed it back. “Keep looking”
“Russell, if you really want to get to her, it’s not hard. She adopted a girl at Lakridge High. Snatch the girl and Aria wille running, Kill them both and
Russell’s hand stilled on the lighter, his gaze icy as it swept across the table. “That’s too easy a death for her. Keep digging–every detail. And don’t let <b>up </b>on the Solemnity Guild.”
He’d always known the Guild wanted to use him to take out Aria, probably because she had their secrets.
But <b>Russell </b>didn’t trust them–notpletely
Ondo nodded and stood. “Alright. That old <b>man’s </b>got me running the Cole Group now, <b>so </b>I won’t being by the club as rouch
Daniel was paranoid–he’d ordered not one but three paternity tests.
Once by stealth in the manor, and once by having Ondo’s finger pricked for blood.
Only after two <b>separate </b>confirmations did he allow <b>Ondo </b>into thepany.
Now, Russell was nning to break away from the old organization and build his own empire in Huthailia.
Swallowing the Cole Group was the quickest way, and he’d have to grit his teeth and do it.
As Ondo Ich, Russell’s phone lit up with an international <b>call</b>.
He stepped to the window<b>, </b>answering as a woman’s gentle voice filled his ear, “Russell, are you settled in Huthailia yet?”
“Yeah,” he <b>replied</b><b>. </b>
“I miss you so much, but Father won’t let me visit.
“There’s nothing for you here. You’d only get hurt.”
“But I’m miserable without you.”
“You’ll get used to it,” Russell’s tone was soft, but his <b>lips </b>curled in a cold, thin line
Back at the artpetition, the judging reached its climax.
The host stood on stage, <b>reading </b>out the names of those who’d made the finals.
Each was called up in turn–including Collin and Katrina.
To ensure fairness, themittee swapped out judges at each stage and kept wiry painting anonymous; only after the finals could artists reveal their identities.
The big screen disyed all twenty finalist works. At the judges‘ table, Johan pointed at one<b>. </b>“Who’s number ten?”
Chapter <b>232 </b>
They called out the names in order, and Collin found himself standing at the center spot.
He stopped forward. <b>“</b>Good afternoon, judges, I’m Collin Gibson. Number ten is my work”
Johan recognized Collin’s painting and called on him deliberately. “Collin, do you have a master yet?”
Collin shook his head. “No, Johan.”
Johan smiled, “Ever considered apprenticing with me?”
He’d made his intentions <b>clear </b>before–Collin knew Johan wanted to take him as a student.
Before Mono arrived, Johan would’ve been his first choice, but once Collin heard Mono was a judge, he changed his mind.
To be Mono’s apprentice was worth more than anything.
Hannah had told him to speak up at the finals. If he asked<b>, </b>Mono would surely take him.
Collin turned to Johan and bowed respectfully. “I’m honored by your invitation and grateful you recognize my talent. But ever since I was a child, I’ve admired Mono’s work.”
He looked straight at Mono and bowed again, his voice steady, “Mono, I want to fight for this opportunity. I wish to be your apprentice.”
Aria had just sat down in the audience as she caught those words, one eyebrow arching in amusement.
“Looks like someone’s fallen for Mono, too, she thought.
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