Chapter 426
Maja was utterly bewildered, unable to figure out lan’s real intentions.
She returned to RosenGarden, taking along her favorite drawing tools, and arrived at the hotel.
Upon arriving, there was already a painting ready on the easel by the window.
Maja could tell at a glance that it was the work of her mentor.
“Mr. Raymond?”
She heard the sound of running water coming from the bathroom. Shortly, lan walked out, dabbing at the droplets of water in his hair.
“Tyler gifted me a painting. I heard Herbert left it half–done. Could you help me finish it?”
Maja glanced at it. It was an oil painting. All she had to do was mimic her master’s graceful technique.
She nodded, lifting her eyes and keeping her gaze steady.
“Mr. Raymond, how much do you plan to pay me?”
Her tone was indifferent, devoid of any emotion. It was as if she would leave immediately if lan didn’t pay.
lan watched her, casually tossing aside the towel in his hands; and took a step closer.
“Do you know how many people crave this opportunity but can’t get it?”
His meaning was clear. As soon as he displayed this painting, there would be many artists hoping to showcase their talents before him, perhaps even some big shots already known in the industry.
Owing someone like lan a favor was something money couldn’t measure.
Without hesitation, Maja stood up, ready to leave. “Mr. Raymond, I just remembered I have other plans tonight.”
Seeing her decisiveness, lan’s face turned cold. He quickly grabbed her, sat down on the sofa, and pulled her into his lap.
“Are you in a bad mood tonight?”
He asked, his arms tightly around her waist..
Maja scoffed inwardly. She was indeed in a bad mood. Thinking about what he had done, she wanted nothing more than to slap him.
But her reason told her not to let her emotions take
control.
Moreover, getting angry with lan over this was pointless.
In lan’s eyes, his wife was as revolting as trash on the side of the road.
Ian held her, lowering his head to sniff at her neck. Seeing the bruise on her wrist, his body stiffened, and his tone turned cold.
“What happened to your hand?”
He grabbed her hand, which had obvious finger marks and was badly bruised.
A painter’s hand was more important than anything else.
Maja’s hand was indeed hurting. Neil had been unconscious at that point, only subconsciously gripping her tightly.
The subconscious strength of a man was enormous.
lan gently pinched it; seeing her only frown, he knew it wasn’t a bone injury.
It was clearly a bruise from someone’s grip.
He guessed what might have happened, and the aura around him turned chilly.
“Did your husband hit you?”
“No.”
Maja wanted to pull her hand back, but lan held it tightly, also worried about hurting her, so he grabbed her arm instead.
“Did you get into a fight with someone?”
“No, and you’re starting to annoy me.”
His questions were starting to bug Maja.
She tried to get up, but lan held her waist, sounding a bit wronged.
“Why are you suddenly mad at me?”
He let go of her, looking a bit puzzled.
He found a first aid kit in the cupboard, took out a tube of ointment, grabbed her hand, and started to apply it.
Maja, however, didn’t accept his goodwill and stood up, tightly holding her drawing tools.
“Mr. Raymond, I can take care of my wounds myself. If you don’t need me to continue painting, I’ll be going.”
lan had already applied the ointment to his fingertips but hadn’t applied it to her wound.
He was sitting on the sofa, but when she stood up, he also looked up at her.
“Is there a problem over at Greenfield Gardens?”
“No.”
“Has someone like Knox been bullying you again?”
“No.”
Each time she answered, her expression became darker, she became increasingly impatient, and her dissatisfaction grew stronger.
She took a deep breath, trying to suppress the boiling emotions in her chest, and walked straight towards the door.
lan, who had already wiped off the ointment from his fingers with a tissue, saw her actions and quickly followed her. “Let go of me!” Her tone became frigid.
This was the first time she spoke to lan in such a tone.
lan paused, then closed the door she had opened with a bang.
Turning around, he grabbed her chin, making her look up at him. “Why are you mad at me?
