Ch. 1136..1140
Chapter 1136 Sylvia and the others went backstage of the venue where the opening ceremony was held. There were several separate loungesbackstage. Haytham and several others followed Lily into one of them.
Most of the others had their own tasks and went to the front stage to set up the venue, leaving a few people gathered inanother lounge
which happened to be empty. Christopher needed to attend as the host, so only Sylvia and Simon went to the empty lounge. 12 Simon was still a little angry, but at the same time, he was worried about Sylvia.
"Sylvia, when you go on stage later, remember to keep a calm mind. They're just a bunch of vile people who only care about climbing the social ladder. Don't be affected by their words." Sylvia smiled back at him.
"Don't worry, | won't be affected." She was no longer the same person she was when she first came back from Galston.
She said, "You're also a judge for the competition and have to paint on stage lateras well. Don't let them influence you." "I won't be affected by people like them. Don't worry." Simon was completely at ease after seeing that Sylvia still had the heart to advise him.
After waiting for a while, someone came knocking on the door. The person who knocked was Haytham.
He showed a fake smile and said sinisterly, "Mr.Amos and Ms.Sunflower, the participants and Master Springsteen, who was invited to watch the competition, have all arrived, sodon't just sit here. You especially, Ms.Sunflower. They're all waiting to see your performance." Then, he turned and left.
Simon was upset and immediately stood up. Sylvia quickly stood up and smiled at him.
"I'm fine, Simon. Let's go." Simon's face softened when he saw her smile, and he replied, "All right." They walked out of the lounge togetherand followed a corridor to get to the stage in front.
It was only when they reached the stage and looked at the packed audience seats did Sylvia realizethat Simon and her were the last to arrive.
At that moment, the members of the Art Association who were involved in the competition, the participants who were seated on thestage, and the people in the first row, Master Springsteen and the others, were all looking at her.
Sylvia knew in an instant that Haytham had deliberately called them last. Furthermore, as soon as Simon and her appeared, the people who already disliked her began to talk.
"She's still putting up airs at a time like this. Does she think she's the same Sunflower as before?" "Even if she was, she shouldn't have come over solate. Master Springsteen and Mr.Carmine have been waiting for so long already. She thinks too highly of herself." Some people who did not even know Sylvia were also affected by those words andlooked at her with cold and unpleasant gazes.
Sylvia stiffened for a moment.
However, compared to the scenes where she was bullied online until she quit the industry and whenshe was forced to run away miserably to the street with her large belly, those sneers seemed to amount to nothing at all.
She pursed her lips and went to the front row of the stage, standing at the judges’ panel with Simon, Lily, andtwo old painters with white hair.
Christopher paired up with an old host for this event.
| Seeing that everyone was present, Christopher immediately picked up the microphone and said, "The two that just arrivedare our two. remaining judges for this competition.
This gentleman is Mr.Amos." At the mention of Simon's name, loud applause instantly erupted from the audience. 11 L Sitting in the first row, Master Springsteen and Mr.Carmine applauded with smiles on their faces.
The student participants behind them also obviously worshiped Simon and clapped incessantly.
Some of them even screamed.
The scene was very lively.
Christopher had to tell them to settle down three times before they quieted down.
Then, he began to introduce Sylvia.
"Standing next to Mr.Amos is the main judge of this competition.
Her name is Sylvia Ross, also known internationally by her alias, Sunflower.
Chapter 1137 Christopher spoke excitedly, but what answered him was very sparse applause. Only Master Springsteen from the first row applauded politely. Mr.Carmine and the others simply looked on with cold expressions.
The group of student participants sitting at the back not only did not applaud and welcome Sylvia, but they even started whispering amongthemselves, completely disrespecting Sylvia and her reputation as Sunflower.
In short, the scene was very cold. It was so cold that Christopher felt embarrassed. Lily, Haytham, and the others sneered.
The group of student participants sitting at the back not only did not applaud and welcome Sylvia, but they even started whispering amongthemselves, completely disrespecting Sylvia and her reputation as Sunflower.
In short, the scene was very cold.
It was so cold that Christopher felt embarrassed.
Lily, Haytham, and the others sneered.
Simon looked at Sylvia.
Her expression was a little pale, and her hands hanging by her sides clenched into fists. It was impossible to say that she did not care.
After all, it was true that she disappeared for a long time, and the ink painting" that spread in the art circle previously was indeed disastrous.
However, she thought to herself, ‘It's fine.
Just bear with it.1 She took a deep breath and was just about to calm down when a male student in the audience suddenly stoodup and pointed at Sylvia, asking, "President Dendro, | thought that Ms.
Sunflower withdrew from the industry a long time ago.
I've also had the pleasure of seeing her ink painting’ before.
| don't understand what qualifications she has to be our main judge!"
The whole venue immediately went into an uproar, and many students echoed, "That's right.
What qualifications does she have to be the main judge?" Ill
The scene was instantly chaotic as everyone crusaded against what qualifications Sylvia hadto be a judge. The people on the stage also looked on indifferently as if they were watching a show, especially Haytham and the others. Only Lily remained standing elegantly, keeping her posture and looking forward.
However, the smile at the corner of her mouth could not help but widen.
LR1 There was cold hostility attacking Sylvia from all directions.
She did not expect this kind of scene at all, and her body stiffened up uncontrollably.
Christopher obviously did not expect this to happen either, but he was quick to react.
After organizing his words, he picked up the microphone and answered the student, "Of course, | have my own considerations when | asked her tobe the main judge.
Everyone has their bad days sometimes.
Her specialty isn't ink paintings anyway.
"Then, is she in a good state now?" the student asked.
Christopher immediately replied, "Yes, | can guarantee that she's in a good state now. There'll be a live painting session for the judges later. If you don't believe me, just wait and see." That student immediately pursed his lips and secretly looked at Haytham.
Haytham shot him a look.
Then, the student asked, "President Dendro, what if she doesn't finish the painting later?" Christopher smiled and said, "Then I'll disqualify her as the main judge and choosea judge who you think has the best painting to act as the main judge." The student glanced at Haytham
again. Haytham looked ahead and did not meet his gaze.
The student's eyes flickered.
"Fine, then we'll wait and See." He sat back down.
The other students who booed along with him also sat down obediently The scene was still a little cold. Many people were still watching Sylvia and looking at her reaction.
Sylvia clenched her fists, her hands full of cold sweat.
Before the student got up and questioned her, she did not care about what those people thought. However, she felt a little nervous now.
She wanted to lower her head and avoid all of their gazes.
However, just before she could make a move, a crisp and clear cry suddenly came from the entrance.
Chapter 1138 Sylvia was stunned and suddenly looked up at the entrance of the auditorium.
She saw a chubby figure dressed in orange running toward her.
The little girl had her hair tied up in pigtails, and was dressed in a small orange hat and a matching orange dress.
She dashed over like a running sun.
It was none other than Isabel.
Not long after she came in, three more figures appeared.
It was Odell, who was in a suit and tie, Liam, who wore a small suit with an orange bowtie , and Flint, who lay in Odell's arms.
The baby saw Sylvia and instantly shouted," Mama!" The huge venue suddenly became silent as everyone on andoff the stage looked at them.
LL Sylvia was completely stunned. ‘Aren't they supposed to be at work and school? Why are they here?"
Soon, Isabel ran to the bottom of the stage right belowSylvia She raised her clenched fists at Sylvia, shouting seriously, "Go, Mom!" Sylvia could not help but smile.
All the tension and depression she felt a moment ago completely disappeared.
"Yep!" she answered the little girl.
Odell also brought Liam and Flint over.
LLL 11 His tall and straight figure was much higher than the stage.
He was basically eye-level with Sylvia.
He did not say anything and simply looked at her with a gentle smile on his lips.
Then, he raised his hand and patted Flint's butt, and Flint shouted, "Go, Mama!"
The baby's soft and cute voice instantly made the whole venue even moresilent.
Sylvia could not help but laugh.
"Okay, | know." "Mommy, we believe in you," Liam spoke up as well.
His handsome little face was cool, but his eyes when he looked at her were filled with faith. Sylvia smiled at him.
"Thank you." Then, Odell took them to the three empty seats on the first row to Master Springsteen's right side. The seats in the audience were arranged in advance according to the number of people. Odell most likely secretly booked the seats behind her back.
1 Sylvia held back her smile and shot Odell a look.
Then, she said to Christopher, who was still ina daze," President Dendro, it's about time.
Let's start." She could not wait to make those people eat their words.
Christopher immediately snapped back to his senses and picked up the microphone, saying, "Everyone has arrived. If any of you have any objections, let's discuss them as the judges draw." Then, he clearedhis throat.
"| hereby announce the opening ceremony of the Westchester Art Competition !"
As soon as he spoke, grand musicfilled the venue.
The audience who were stunned by Odell and the three children's sudden arrival also snapped back to their reality and applauded with the music.
However, there were also many people such as Mr.Carmine who disliked Sylvia ever since the ink painting incident.
The first student who got up and questioned Sylvia's qualifications as the main judge also maintained a cold expression as if he was waiting to see hermake a joke out of herself.
Those people did not applaud at all.
On the stage, Christopher and Simon continued to smile.
However, besides Sylvia and them, the others did not look very happy at all.
For example, Lily had a cold expression the moment Odell appeared with the children. There was also Haytham, whose eyes flashed with guilt and uneasiness.
The people who participated in scheming against Sylvia before all felt guilty after seeing Odell.
Chapter 1139 However, their expressions soon returned to normal. So what if Odell came? Later, the judges painting session would compare the individual abilities of
eachjudge
Although Sylvia's present state was much better than when she painted the ink painting, there was noway she could beat the paintings of Simon, Lily, and the two other
experienced artists! She would definitely be laughed at and stripped of her position as the main judge in public! They wanted to see just how miserable she looked at that time. At that thought, Haytham and a few others looked at each other and laughed secretly
They walked off the stage and went to their seats.
Sylvia, Simon, Lily, and the other judges sat down at the table at the side ofthe stage.
Christopher and the other host talked about the specific process of the competition , clarified the rules, and then announced, "Once again, let's invite our five judgesto the stagel
Let's invite them to paint for all of US on the spot and add some sensationalism to our competition!" Warm applause rang out again after those words. The students in the audience called out the judges’ names excitedly
LI Some cheered for the two old artists, some who cheered for Simon, but cries for Lily's name were the loudest.
As for Syivia.
Only Isabel and Flint, who were sitting in the front row, screamed for her at the top of their lungs.
However, that was enough.
Sylvia followed behind Simon and walked to the middle of the stage with the other judges.
After casting a smile at the three little ones, she caught Odell’s gaze.
His thin lips were gently curled, and his eyes were deep and gentle.
He did not say a single word, but Sylvia seemed to hear his warm voice saying, Tmalways here, don't be nervous." She smiled at him.
At that moment, the host asked them to choose their painting tools and seats. The positions specially prepared for the five judges were already set up. They were right in front of the stage, facing the seated audience.
The camera on the stage was also ready and would broadcast the artists and their paintings on thebig screen behind the stage for everyone to see.
Sylvia was behind Simon and was the last to select the painting tools.
She took a set of watercolor and brushes and was just about to find a seat when she wasblocked by Lily, who had been the first one to come over and pick out the painting tools.
She seemed to have done it on purpose .
"Ms.
Ross, are you going to paint your specialty?" Sylvia looked at the brush and ink in herhand. “Aren't you as well?" "Of course, | have to paint what I’m good at on an occasion like this.
| don't mean anything else.
| just want you to take it easy later.
If you draw a painting that disgraces your area of expertise again, you'll never be able to make a comeback." Sylvia's lips pulled down.
"You don't have to worry about that.
Just mind your own business." Lily sneered , walked past Sylvia, and sat directly in themiddle of the five seats Simon and the two other artists had already sat down.
Simon sat on the leftmost seat on the stage, and the two older artists sat on the second seat from the right and left respectively.
After taking a look, Sylvia took her painting tools and sat in the remaining seat without changing her expression
It was just a seat
It was not important.
The important thing was to get the painting right.
Chapter 1140 Christopher and the other host stood behind them. After seeing all of them take their seats, Christopher said,"The five judges may start when you're ready. | look forward to the masterpieces you all paint that will satisfy everyone here!”
As soon as he spoke, the whole room fell silent.
Everyone stared at the judges on the stage.
Most of them were looking at Lily, and some looked at the two old artists andSimon.
Only Odell and the three little ones stared at Sylvia
However, some people glanced at her as well because they were waiting for her to make a fool of herself.
At that moment, Sylvia had her head lowered and was mixing her paints seriously.
She had thought about what to paint before she came here, but she suddenly thought of another more beautiful scene.
An image of that scene appeared clearly in her mind.
After mixing the paint, she picked up the brush and pressed it on the canvas.
The canvas was the same size as the four other judges to restrict their painting time.
The size was not too large, and it was much smaller than the size she used for painting at home. However, it did not matter.
It was large enough for her to present what she wanted to draw.
After mixing the paint, she picked up the brush and pressed it on the canvas.
The canvas was the same size as the four other judges to restrict their painting time.
The size was not too large, and it was much smaller than the size she used for painting at home. However, it did not matter.
It was large enough for her to present what she wanted to draw.
She relaxed her breathing, and in no time, her vision narrowed down to the canvas in front of her. Her whole body focused solely on painting without a single distraction.
Meanwhile, the camera moved behind them.
IVVE It was unknown if it was a problem with the camera or if it was deliberate manipulationby the cameraman , but the camera focused on Lily's easel.
Her elegant posture of drawing with a brush and the strokes on the canvas was clearly projected ontothe big screen. The session had just started, so it was too early to see what she was tryingto draw.
However, almost all the people off-stage were attracted by her noble temperament.
Some even whispered, "As expected of Ms. Springsteen.
Her temperament is perfect." Some young students also said, "Her posture with the brush is also excellent, and her brushstrokes are strong and filled with intent.
| believe that she'll make a good painting.” in "That's for sure.
She's Master Springsteen's granddaughter." II 11 After a long time passed, the camera finally shifted to the paintings of the two old artists, andthe group of people fell silent.
However, not long after that the camera shifted to Lily again, and the group instantly got excited again.
When they saw Lily's stylish and bold movements, they all looked at her with starry eyes. "| wonder what Ms.
Springsteen is going to draw." "Itll be a painting that will blow our minds.” "That's right.
Even if she paints a few random brushstrokes, it!l still be a hundred times better thanthat link painting’ of a certain master.
| can't wait for the person who relied on connections to become the main judge to make a fool of herself.”
"Hehe, | would've forgotten that that so-called masteris also on the stage if you hadn't mentioned her.
Look at her.
She looks quite serious, but who knows what kind of garbage she's painting?” Someone pointed at Sylvia
The others echoed, "Who knows? In any case, there's no way she’s as good as Ms.
Springsteen." Isabel, who was in the front row, heard all their words clearly and turned around to glare at them with wide eyes.
u The students who saw her fierce but cute appearance instantly felt self-conscious and turned away, not paying attention to her. Isabel snorted coldly and shouted at the security guards standing next to her, "I want to report them.
They're talking loudly and disturbing the judges from drawing!" Her voice drew the attention of not only the security guards but also of Christopher and some of theaudience
sitting next to her.
The group of people looked at her.