Chapter 110: Chapter 110: The Arrogance of a Genius

Seeing the painting of the sunset glow in the center of the screen, Cecilia Vaughn’s heart sank little by little.

It was indeed her painting.

But... it wasn’t her painting.

...

The projected artwork was a sketch of a suburban sunset, with a style leaning toward realism.

The fields were orderly, smoke was curling up from a chimney outside a small yard, suggesting someone was cooking, and the clear stream reflected the sunset across the sky, supposedly creating a beautiful scene in harmony.

However, for some reason, several areas that should have been cleanly painted were filled with dark orange patches, clashing with the originally fresh style of the painting, creating a jarring dissonance.

Professor Sanders knocked on the table sternly, clearly dissatisfied with this painting.

"Classmate Vaughn, your previous assignments ranked highly. I specifically praised you and asked you to frame your painting for display, but look at this painting now!"

"Such a good composition, with flowing water and a countryside sunset, should have been a tranquil and gentle realistic oil painting, but you were too careless while painting, leaving the colors chaotic and fragmented, ruining the original beauty!"

"Cecilia Vaughn, can’t you take compliments? I’m very disappointed that you would submit such a subpar painting!"

Out of deep love comes strict reprimand. Professor Sanders always appreciated Cecilia Vaughn’s artistic talent, but this time she clearly let him down.

Cecilia’s delicate eyes were focused, staring at the chaotic patches on that painting, a cold smile slowly appearing on her lips.

Her original work was not like this; the painting was clean, with clear brushstrokes.

Who could alter her painting, making it seem as if she had carelessly daubed it herself?

Aside from Katherine North, who was responsible for collecting the assignments, she couldn’t think of anyone else.

...

Cecilia immediately looked towards Katherine North.

Katherine North boldly stared back at her with a mocking smile on her lips.

——She wasn’t afraid. Altering someone else’s painting and making it look as if it was completed simultaneously, who would believe such a thing?

...

Seeing Katherine North’s arrogance, Cecilia’s eyes grew colder.

Before Cecilia could say anything, Belle Prescott, seated next to her, stood up with a whoosh to defend her.

"Professor! I’ve seen Cecilia’s original draft, her painting wasn’t like this at all!"

"Cecilia’s original artwork was just as you described, a tranquil and gentle countryside sunset scene. How could it become like this? Someone must have deliberately changed her painting!"

"Enough!"

Professor Sanders pushed up his glasses in displeasure: "Classmate Prescott, I know you’re friends with Classmate Vaughn, but you don’t need to lie for her!"

"Professor, I didn’t! ——"

Belle Prescott was almost in tears being scolded, her big eyes blinking rapidly.

Cecilia quickly tugged at her sleeve. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"Belle, don’t say anymore, sit down."

"Cecilia..."

Despite feeling aggrieved for Cecilia, Belle Prescott noted Cecilia’s serious expression and finally sat down with a pout.

She was speaking the truth!

Having a friend who stood up for her, Cecilia felt a warmth in her heart.

She silently brushed Belle’s palm and typed two lines into her phone’s note app.

——It’s okay, I know who tampered with my work, and I’ll repay them properly, so don’t worry about me, Belle.

——Also, thank you for speaking up for me.

After Belle Prescott saw it, Cecilia quickly deleted the content.

...

Because of the student’s backtalk, Professor Sanders was even more displeased.

Kids today are so sensitive, unable to take any criticism.

——Not being careful while painting, and still pointing fingers at others, would he wrong his students intentionally?

Seeing Professor Sanders with a stern face, everyone knew "The Iron Abbot" was about to explode, so they all focused their eyes on their noses, trying to minimize their presence.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, Sean Grant lazily stood up from the corner of the classroom.

"Professor, I find the composition of this painting unique, not without merits. Since it’s an art critique class, why not give me some time to make some modifications?"

Professor Sanders was slightly taken aback, and the crowd below the podium was even more shocked.

Allowing someone else to modify a painting?

Is that even possible?

Not to mention, the colors in Cecilia Vaughn’s countryside sunset painting were already quite heavy. Adding more paint would only make it messier, wouldn’t it?

To everyone, it seemed Cecilia Vaughn originally aimed for a calm and tranquil scene but ended up overdoing the colors in the end.

...

Professor Sanders adjusted his glasses, clearly hesitant.

"Classmate Grant, there’s only twenty minutes left until the end of class; if the final result is unsatisfactory, wouldn’t it waste time..."

Sean Grant displayed a hint of arrogance, his eyes sharp as they fixed on the projected painting.

"Twenty minutes is all I need; I assure you I won’t waste anyone’s time."

What audacity!

The culture in Veridia is reserved, and such extreme confidence coming from someone raised in another country’s education system as Sean’s makes a few people uncomfortable.

Thinking it over, Professor Sanders considered Sean Grant’s status as an exchange student and finally nodded.

"Alright, but just this once, don’t make it a habit..."

...

Sean Grant walked leisurely onto the podium; the classroom already had the tools needed for painting, so there was no need to fetch them elsewhere.

To avoid disturbing him, Professor Sanders sat down from the podium.

As the class was close to ending, Sean Grant finally stopped painting.

"Finished."

Sean Grant put down the brush, his glassy eyes casually glanced at Cecilia Vaughn seated in the last row.

His demeanor was unruly, with a tinge of melancholy.

Cecilia Vaughn felt uncomfortable under that gaze, yet she was curious to see what Sean Grant had transformed it into.

Considering the painting was already altered once by Katherine North, making the colors chaotic.

...

Others felt the same, though Sean Grant simply walked off the podium without showcasing the finished piece.

Understanding the audience’s curiosity, Professor Sanders, familiar with the pride of geniuses, went up to the podium.

Upon seeing the modified artwork, he gasped, eyes wide in astonishment.

As the oil paint wasn’t completely dry, Professor Sanders dared not touch it directly.

His lips moved slightly, expressing his extraordinary shock.

"My goodness, it can be altered like this!"

"I did not anticipate this approach at all!"

...

While Professor Sanders marveled repeatedly, he nodded towards Sean Grant, who had stepped off the podium.

"Classmate Grant truly deserves to be a top student at Caelus National Academy of Fine Arts!"

"I’ve prided myself on decades of oil painting study, yet I find myself not on par with Classmate Grant’s painting level!"

When Professor Sanders said this, everyone’s curiosity reached a fever pitch!

If not for the presence of the professor, they would’ve rushed to the podium to look!

Finally, cautiously, Professor Sanders lifted the original painting and gently placed its corner under the projector...

The painting slowly revealed its true form...