My Wife is a Hidden Big Shot-Chapter 94 - 89: Wishing You a Smooth Night

An ink-wash effect flashed across the giant screen, and Stella Sinclair’s competition entry zoomed in from a distance, appearing before everyone’s eyes.

A scene of a lifelike mother hen leading her chicks to peck at grain leaped off the paper.

"This painting is incredible—!" Arthur Lockwood slapped his thigh and shouted.

Leigh Miles’s expectant gaze froze for a few seconds before her expression changed completely. She turned to Aurora Sinclair and asked sternly, "Aurora, why did you give her your painting?"

Aurora Sinclair’s eyes suddenly widened. She seemed stunned for a moment, then shook her head.

"Then how could she use your painting for the competition?" Leigh asked, her face full of disbelief.

’All of Aurora’s paintings, from childhood to now, were carefully preserved in the art vault by our master’s wife. They’ve never been publicly displayed. How could Stella Sinclair have this painting?’

’Besides, this was one of Aurora’s earlier works. I once saw a photo of it in an art book our master’s wife compiled; otherwise, I wouldn’t remember it so clearly.’

Aurora thought for a moment, her gaze darkening slightly. "The painting for Grandfather went missing..."

"Missing? Don’t tell me she stole it! That’s shameless! If our master’s wife finds out, she’ll break her hands for sure!" Leigh was so furious she shot up from her chair.

Just then, Alvin Morgan, who was sitting beside them, suddenly asked, "Aurora, did you paint Stella Sinclair’s competition entry?"

Aurora turned back, scrutinized the painting on the screen as if in thought, then shook her head. "No."

Leigh instantly grew anxious. "Aurora, I know I saw this painting at our master’s wife’s place. How can it not be yours? You’re not trying to cover for Stella Sinclair, are you?"

Aurora shook her head again and said seriously, "Some of the colors in this painting are wrong. She painted this."

Leigh froze for a moment, then said angrily, "Then she just copied your painting. This is unacceptable. I’m going to the Sinclair Family to demand an explanation—" With that, Leigh rolled up her sleeves and started to walk out, looking like she was ready for a fight.

Aurora grabbed her by the arm and gently shook her head.

"Aurora—"

Leigh, assuming Aurora was holding back because of family ties and didn’t want to expose Stella, cried out in frustration.

Aurora stood up, patted her on the head, and replied calmly, "I’ll talk to Grandfather."

After seeing the look in his master’s eyes, Beta Morgan dutifully followed behind her to find the Sinclairs.

Arthur Lockwood, who had been watching the whole time and was about to press the bidding button, silently placed the device back on the table after seeing the look on Alvin Morgan’s face.

"Jayden, go inform the Association to pause the award ceremony—"

Arthur Lockwood was stunned, his eyes wide with a look that said, ’You’ve got to be kidding me.’

’Alvin Morgan trusts Aurora Sinclair way too much, doesn’t he?’

’He believes the painting out there is Aurora’s work based on just a few lines of conversation?’

’Isn’t that a bit rash?’

’Stella Sinclair painted a *Child Feeding Chickens Painting* when she was sixteen, and its style is very similar to this one. How old was Aurora back then?’

Arthur Lockwood didn’t move for a long moment. Alvin’s gaze darkened, and he spoke again, "Dean Morgan, go get Jensen Guthrie—"

***

Standing on the awards stage, Stella Sinclair wore a high-end, custom-made blue evening gown. The style was simple yet elegant, and the flowing skirt made her look ethereal and poised.

Her makeup was meticulously done, making her features look even more exquisite under the spotlights, and many of the wives and daughters from the Great Families in the audience began to take note.

Down in the audience, Hailey Gordon overheard the whispers around her, a smug smile spreading across her face.

’So what if that little monster latched onto the Morgan Family?’

’With my daughter’s talent and looks, ten thousand of those little monsters couldn’t compare!’

’The Young Master of the Morgan Family should understand now who the most outstanding person in the Sinclair Family truly is!’

Stella Sinclair maintained a proper smile, tilting her head up slightly to look at the glass of the second-floor private boxes.

Although she couldn’t see the people inside, she knew that at this moment, she was being watched by the true elites.

It was very likely that after tonight, they would remember her.

"Alright, next up is our exciting auction segment! Will all our distinguished guests please pick up your bidding devices and place your bids for this painting!" the host announced cheerfully, holding a small gavel and stirring up the crowd’s excitement.

"500,000—"

"600,000—"

"650,000—"

...

The price crept higher and higher, filling Stella’s heart with immense satisfaction. Her eyes flickered to the second floor from time to time, anticipating bids from the VIPs and elites there.

But the bidders were all from the main hall on the first floor. Not a single light went on in any of the second-floor boxes.

The smile on Stella’s face was starting to feel strained. The first and second-place paintings had both received bids from the second floor.

Gradually, the price reached 1.5 million.

’Why aren’t the people upstairs bidding?’ the host wondered.

He still gave the upper floor a final prompt. "The price is now 1.5 million! Our VIPs on the second floor need to act fast! Going once for 1.5 million... Going twice for 1.5 million... Sold for 1.5 million! Congratulations to Miss Stella Sinclair! Her work has been purchased for 1.5 million by guest number 134 on the first floor."

Stella felt her legs go weak. Her painting hadn’t received a single bid from the second-floor VIPs?

***

「In the Guthrie Family’s private box on the second floor.」

The atmosphere in the room was heavy.

Zane Guthrie and several professional-level judges sat on a sofa to one side, drinking tea with grim expressions.

Sitting opposite them were Alvin Morgan and Arthur Lockwood, while everyone else stood silently on either side.

Alvin had Leigh Miles explain how Aurora Sinclair’s work had been copied and plagiarized by Stella Sinclair. However, the judges didn’t believe it at all. Like Arthur Lockwood, they found it impossible to believe that a 13-year-old could create such a stunning piece of art.

"Young Lord Morgan, you must be responsible for your words. Without any evidence, we cannot agree to strip Stella Sinclair of her ranking."

Zane Guthrie glanced coolly at Aurora Sinclair, his eyes filled with displeasure.

The previous incidents with Marius Anson and the Arcadian University art exam were both connected to her, which made it impossible for him to like Aurora Sinclair.

A cold smirk touched the corner of Alvin Morgan’s lips. "We can have a face-to-face confrontation!"

"A confrontation won’t be necessary. We trust Stella’s character." Zane Guthrie replied nonchalantly as he picked up his teacup. He glanced at Master Sinclair not far away and added pointedly, "Mr. Sinclair, they are both your granddaughters..."

Master Sinclair’s face paled and his body trembled. Butler Sinclair immediately steadied him.

Alvin Morgan smiled, setting down his teacup. He replied, just as pointedly, "I trust Aurora’s character as well. Since Mr. Guthrie won’t agree to a confrontation, then I’ll just wish you all a smooth evening!" With that, Alvin stood up and walked directly toward the door.

Zane Guthrie’s face turned ashen with anger at Alvin’s attitude. He said in a heavy tone, "Young Lord Morgan, a piece of advice. Although ’Young Master’ and ’Family Head’ only differ by one word, the gap between them is enormous!"

Alvin Morgan’s steps paused. Without turning back, he replied faintly, "Thank you, Mr. Guthrie. I have learned my lesson..."

After Alvin Morgan and his group left, the other judges from the Calligraphy Association looked at Zane Guthrie uneasily. "Mr. Guthrie, do you think the Morgan Family will..."

"Hmph. Without conclusive evidence, even the Morgan Family can’t interfere in the world of calligraphy and painting!"

Just then, Jensen Guthrie, who had been silent the whole time, spoke up hesitantly, "Dad, what Alvin said might be true."

Hearing this, Zane Guthrie shot him a glare. "Painting the *Child Feeding Chickens Painting* at thirteen? Only a fool like you would fall for that—"

"But, I..."

"Enough. This matter is closed! Get Master Flora Guthrie on the line immediately—"