Half-Hearted: Mr. Sinclair, Stop the Act!-Chapter 137: What Exactly Is Ivy’s Threat to Her?

Chapter 137: Chapter 137: What Exactly Is Ivy’s Threat to Her?

After nearly an hour and a half of discussions, forty paintings were finally chosen from this album of over seventy pages.

However, the main piece and the two auxiliary pieces have not yet been decided.

Sienna Monroe looked up at the classically featured face in front of her, smiled softly, and asked, "Miss Ivy, do you have any thoughts on the main piece and the auxiliary pieces?"

Ivy met her calm, gentle gaze and replied softly, "Does Director Monroe have any suggestions?"

Seeing the question returned, Sienna didn’t intend to beat around the bush, "I didn’t see the artworks ’Whale Fall Island’ and ’Mountain Sleep’ in this album just now.

I wonder if Miss Ivy plans to include these two paintings in your first exhibition?"

Since it’s a collaboration, it needs enough buzz to make a name.

The two works that went viral online are excellent promotional pieces.

Sienna’s words were straightforward, without any embellishments.

Ivy’s smile deepened in her eyes, "Choosing the Serena Art Museum, naturally, I came with full sincerity. I’ve been painting since I was seven, and over the years, I’ve created quite a few works, but..."

Her words paused, a trace of sadness appeared but quickly faded.

Then she gently said, "I have a habit; after finishing a painting, I like to take a photo and bind it into an album, and those two paintings are in another album.

I just returned from Orlano recently, where I stayed for many years. All the paintings in this album were left there.

This time I came back, intending to settle in the Imperial City, and transporting those paintings without damage takes time—not that I want to hide anything, I hope Director Monroe understands."

Her voice was gentle and elegant, her speech neither hurried nor slow.

There was no fervent plea or overly complex emotions, yet it didn’t feel flat either.

Even after speaking for so long, it didn’t feel dull or boring.

Sienna had to admit that talking to such a person was at least comfortable.

But her vigilance against Ivy did not relax.

"I understand."

A slight smile appeared in her eyes, "I believe, regarding our museum’s situation, Miss Ivy should be aware. We have a total of four exhibition areas, and an exhibition usually has about one hundred paintings.

But the specifics, of course, depend on the curatorial and exhibition teams’ plans. As for the remaining selections and the decision on the main piece and auxiliary pieces, we’ll decide after your other album arrives."

Ivy replied softly, "Okay. I heard from Assistant Joyce that you were hospitalized earlier, is Director Monroe feeling better now?"

Sienna paused, then gently nodded with a smile, "I’m fine now, thank you for your concern."

The discussion concluded near noon, and Director Dawson had reserved a private room at the nearby Chinese restaurant, The Orchid Room.

Since it’s a collaboration, the dining process is naturally indispensable.

At the table, everything was as usual, harmonious and natural.

Ivy seemed to be a person who enjoyed tranquility, polite and courteous to everyone, but without excessive conversation, each topic was addressed just enough.

After this interaction, Sienna didn’t notice anything unusual about her.

Yet the doubt in her heart seemed to grow heavier.

What exactly was the threat that Ivy posed to her?

No matter which aspect, it didn’t seem logical or reasonable.

After the meal, the group exited the restaurant, and a white BMW business car came to pick up Ivy.

She smiled at Sienna, "Thank you for your hospitality today, Director Monroe, and for your trouble."

Feeling it might have been somewhat abrupt, Ivy hesitated slightly, "Director Monroe, would it be convenient to exchange WeChat contacts for ease of communication about our collaboration?"

Sienna looked at her, smiling, "Look at me, I almost forgot such an important matter."

Saying this, she took out her phone and opened WeChat to add a friend via the QR code.

Ivy’s WeChat profile picture was a landscape of lush grassland and blue sky, with her English name— Ivy— as her display name.

Sienna didn’t add any notes, and after accepting the friend request, she put away her phone, "We’ll contact you as soon as our planning proposal is ready."

"Alright."

After saying goodbye to them, Ivy got into the white BMW business car.

As she watched the car merge into the traffic, the smile on Sienna’s face faded slightly, returning to the museum with Nora and the others.

By this time, it was exactly lunch break at the museum. Walking into the hall, Sienna saw two familiar figures walking toward the end of the corridor, disappearing from view within seconds.

Cecilia York and Cheryl Talbot.

These two people, she had almost forgotten.

Upstairs, she told Nora, "Keep an eye on Cheryl Talbot, and find some reason to fire her when the joint exhibition is almost over."

Nora paused, slightly nodding, "Understood. And Cecilia York..."

"She can’t be moved yet."

June Ewing’s case hasn’t been adjudicated, and she hasn’t divorced Caleb yet, making any move against Cecilia likely to draw suspicion.

But Cheryl Talbot was different. She was merely a pawn of June Ewing against Vivian.

Now that the master couldn’t even protect herself, this pawn was no longer important.

"Got it."

"Take a half-hour break, then gather all the museum management for a meeting." Leaving this message, Sienna went into her office.

Compared to the hospital and Moonlit Villa, the museum was where she felt most at ease.

Even when busy, she felt fulfilled.

But whether it was the dreadful, hateful expression of June Ewing in the morning that stimulated her senses, or the unresolved doubts about Ivy, she felt a bit restless all afternoon.

Around five o’clock, Caleb came to pick her up, still bringing drinks for all the museum staff.

As expected, he once again earned a wave of good reviews for himself.

Sienna said nothing, suppressing her inherent aversion, and after a few words with Director Dawson, left the museum with him.

As the car drove onto the road, he softly asked, "Was today busy at the museum? Are you tired?"

"We’re preparing for the opening ceremony in three days. Not really tiring, I’m just getting familiar with the situation."

Sienna then asked, "And you? Is everything okay at the company after not going in for so many days?"

On this subject, Caleb furrowed his brow.

Things were not going smoothly.

The investigation into Radiance Beauty Spa and his mother’s arrest had significant impacts on him and the company.

Especially the project that the construction company just confirmed now had to halt, as the client was preparing to rebid.

Today, Hector also came to the company, leaving him with an ominous feeling.

After pondering for a moment, he shook his head slowly, saying candidly, "Not well, the collaboration with Quincy River Group may fall through, and this project is quite important for the company.

Dad already blames me because of mom’s issues, and not landing this project... I’m afraid he will be even more disappointed, especially with my brothers eyeing the opportunity."

The more he said, the more dejected he became, a few traces of melancholy appearing on his handsome face.