Chapter 52: Chapter 52: Waiting for the Fish to Take the Bait

Lila POV

Zoe waved her hand dismissively, a carefree look on her face. “Oh, come on, it’s fine! It’s more fun with you here! Just think about it—that bitch Lilith is the most materialistic and shallow person ever. When she sees how well I treat you, she’ll be dying of jealousy! Later, I’ll buy a few pieces of art for you, and she’ll be absolutely desperate to take your place as my bestie!”

She took my hand and wheedled, “Just think of it as keeping me company! You know I’m completely clueless about all that art stuff; I’d just be putting on an act if I went alone. But you’re different! You have such great taste. With you by my side, I’ll have the confidence I need to bait that fish, Lilith!”

She wore me down. Looking into her sparkling eyes, I finally gave in and nodded.

As evening fell, we arrived at the White Tower club.

The venue was surrounded by high walls, its entrance lined with an array of luxury cars. Bodyguards with stern expressions checked the guests’ invitations, creating a formal and tense atmosphere.

Zoe linked her arm through mine and strode inside, her head held high.

The moment we stepped into the banquet hall, all eyes were on us.

Zoe was always the center of attention, but my presence by her side was clearly an unexpected sight for many. Whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Who is that? Why is she with Miss Zoe?”

“No idea… I don’t recognize her.”

Just then, a figure in a long, white lace dress glided toward us.

It was Lilith.

Her eyes flashed with shock when she saw me, but it was quickly replaced by a false smile.

“Lilith!” Zoe beamed. “I want you to meet someone!”

She turned and pulled me forward. “This is my dear friend, Lila. And Lila, this is the Lilith I was telling you about recently.”

Lilith looked at me, her smile freezing for a second before she resumed her haughty posture. “Oh? So it’s my cousin Lila. Long time no see. You… actually look halfway decent today.”

Her tone was laced with a barely perceptible mockery.

I gave a small smile, my voice even. “Lilith. It has been a while.”

Seemingly oblivious to the undercurrents between us, Zoe pointed to a distant abstract oil painting, its colors vibrant and its composition bold.

“Lila, look over there! Isn’t that painting beautiful?”

“It is,” I agreed.

“I think it would look perfect hanging in your room!” Zoe said loudly, with a wink. “Where’s the manager? I’m buying this painting! Price is no object!”

A stir went through the surrounding crowd.

Lilith’s expression soured. That painting carried a hefty price tag, yet Zoe had bought it for me without so much as batting an eye.

“Zoe, you’re being too generous,” I said, feigning surprise. “I couldn’t possibly accept this.”

“Oh, it’s nothing!” Zoe declared, waving her hand with a grand flourish. “If you like it, that’s all that matters. I’ll buy you any piece of art you want here today!”

Lilith gritted her teeth, a flicker of jealous fire in her eyes.

“Zoe, you’re so good to Cousin Lila,” she said tartly. “Anyone who didn’t know better would think she was your actual sister.”

Zoe turned to her, a smirk playing on her lips. “Lilith, aren’t best friends the same as sisters? Besides, you know a little pocket change like this is nothing to me.”

The color drained from Lilith’s face instantly.

She looked from me to Zoe, the jealousy and resentment in her eyes practically overflowing.

“Of course…” she managed to force a smile. “You’ve always been so good to your friends.”

“You bet!” Zoe lifted her chin smugly. “For families like ours, money is easy to come by. It’s genuine connections between people that are truly precious.”

Her words were delivered with such sincerity, yet they dripped with sarcasm. I had to stop myself from laughing out loud.

Lilith’s face flushed red, then went pale, but she didn’t dare make a scene.

————

Inside the salon, crystal chandeliers cast a soft glow, like a delicate veil draped over every painting. The faint scent of rose and cedar drifted through the air, set to a gentle backdrop of intertwined violin and piano melodies. Guests mingled in small groups, conversing in low tones and holding champagne flutes with elegant grace. There was no boisterous clamor of an auctioneer’s gavel here, only the silent, fluid exchange of art and money.

Zoe kept her arm linked with mine, weaving through the paintings like a proud little peacock surveying her territory. She would occasionally lean in and whisper in my ear, “Lila, what about this one? Would it go with that empty wall in the study?”

I laughed and shook my head. “Don’t be silly. You can’t just decide to take home every painting you look at.”

“I’m not being silly,” she said with a wink. “It’s an investment! An investment in a future priceless treasure!”

Lilith shadowed us like a persistent fly, always keeping a short distance. She had tried to maintain a reserved air, but seeing Zoe’s affection toward me, she could barely keep her composure. Finally, unable to stand it any longer, she strode forward, pointed at an abstract painting on the wall, and said confidently, “Zoe, I’ve heard a lot of people inquiring about this piece. They’re saying its market potential is supposed to be excellent.”

Zoe raised an eyebrow but didn’t respond to her. Instead, she turned to me. “Lila, what do you think?”

I’m no expert on artistic styles, but I found the painting’s color palette very soothing, like a sunset reflecting on a lake—gentle and unassuming. “I like the colors. It feels very peaceful.”

“Peaceful?” Lilith scoffed. “It’s clearly oppressive! I think you’re confusing ’peaceful’ with ’dreary.’”

Before I could even open my mouth, Zoe was already waving the manager over, her tone breezy. “This painting, and that landscape next to it. Wrap them both up for me.”

Lilith’s face instantly fell, as if she’d swallowed stale, bitter tea.

We continued on. Whenever I lingered in front of a painting for more than a moment, Lilith would immediately sidle up to nitpick. “The composition is too crowded; there’s no breathing room.” “The palette is too drab; it would make anyone look sallow.” “What is this even supposed to be? I can’t make heads or tails of it. Someone probably pulled some strings to get it in here.”

Zoe heard every word but never bothered to retort. Instead, she would simply wait for me to finish looking, then turn to the manager and say, “This one, wrap it up too.” “That one, have it sent to my room.” “And that small one can go on Lila’s vanity.”

In the end, even the manager had to chuckle. “Miss Hale, are you planning on buying out the whole place today?”

Zoe winked. “Not buying out the place, just picking up some overlooked treasures. Some things can only be appreciated by those who truly understand their value.”

Trailing behind us, Lilith’s face was contorted with suppressed rage. Unable to lash out, she could only force a dry laugh and chime in, “Zoe, you really are incredibly generous. But… Lila, where are you living these days? Is your place secure enough for all these works of art?”

Before I could speak, Zoe had already turned around, fixing Lilith with that same knowing smirk. “It’s a shame you didn’t fancy any of the pieces this time, Lilith. Otherwise, I would’ve bought one for you, too. By the way, where do you live? Is your place secure enough?”

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