Chapter 487: Biggest Winner (3)

Chapter 487: Chapter 487: Biggest Winner (3)

Seraphina’s tone was very tactful. She even resorted to self-deprecation to firmly refuse Mr. Holden’s invitation. No one knew her current state of mind. ’I’m crying a river on the inside! I just wanted a birthday wish scroll, that’s all. Why did this have to turn into an issue of taking on a student?’

She refused!

She actually refused!

’Does this girl have any idea what it means to become Mr. Holden’s student?!’

’If you don’t want Mr. Holden to teach you calligraphy, can’t you just give the opportunity to me?!’

Many of the calligraphy enthusiasts present were thinking the same thing.

...

Aiden Faulkner’s fists clenched, loosened, and then clenched again. ’Seraphina Sterling—I’m not done with you!’ She had practiced for seven years, yet her writing wasn’t as good as Seraphina’s, who had practiced for less than half a year. Wasn’t this a blatant slap in the face? Just moments ago, she had been so confident, so smug, yet this was the result. She had wanted to use this opportunity to make a good impression on everyone, especially Mr. Hale, but in the end, she was the one who had been disgraced.

Mr. Holden’s eyes never left the characters Seraphina had written. Wild cursive required a solid foundation, but more than that, it reflected the calligrapher’s state of mind. Such free-flowing brushwork was something he had pursued his entire life. He knew he could never write with such uninhibited freedom.

He remained silent for a long time. "If you ever change your mind, you can contact me at any time."

"I will! About the birthday wish scroll—" Seraphina trailed off, genuinely worried that since she had rejected him, he would now reject her request.

"Writing another one is no problem. In exchange, this piece of yours is now mine," Mr. Holden said with a smile, stating a condition of his own.

Seraphina was slightly taken aback, then answered cheerfully, "Of course!"

A trade like that? The crowd was dumbfounded. A calligraphy master actually wanted a young girl’s work! My God! Was Seraphina’s calligraphy really good enough for Mr. Holden to add to his collection? This was surreal! Was her skill truly that incredible?

No one could answer that question for them. Wild cursive was a style highly influenced by personal taste. Some people loved it, while others did not. It was a form of artistic expression with no right or wrong answer, judged solely by individual preference.

Regardless of what anyone else was thinking, the matter had been resolved perfectly.

"So, Aiden Faulkner? Convinced you lost fair and square?" Zion Hale shot her a provocative glance. "And here you were, bragging about practicing for seven years. You’ve got some nerve. You practiced for seven years and you’re still not as good as Seraphina, who’s been at it for less than half a year. What exactly were you doing for those seven years? Practicing one day a year?"

"Zion, some people just enjoy reaping what they sow. We don’t need to concern ourselves with it. Maybe it’s Miss Faulkner’s hobby! She thought she could use me as a stepping stone to make a name for herself, but she forgot to consider her own capabilities. While the amount of time you practice is important in calligraphy, there’s something even more crucial—talent!"

Seraphina’s radiant eyes sparkled. She and Zion were in perfect sync, thoroughly enjoying the fruits of their victory.

"You—" Aiden Faulkner ground her teeth, unable to utter a single word of rebuttal. A storm of anger was brewing inside her with no outlet; she felt like she was about to explode.

"Zion, don’t take it too far!" Justin Hale warned in a low voice, his own expression grim. Aiden had suffered such a major, humiliating setback. Since she was his girlfriend, her disgrace was his own.

"Brother, I’m not trying to tell you what to do, but I honestly think you deserve better." Zion shook his head with a look of utter confusion, but his words were anything but polite. He said exactly what was on his mind. "You’re an amazing guy; you could have your pick of any socialite in our circle. So tell me, why do you insist on hanging yourself from this one tree? I just don’t get it!"