Ivan Horne glanced at Mr. Aiken, whose old face burned intensely with embarrassment, and the only thing he could do was smile.

"Miss Lia, those people lack appreciation skills. Your paintings are truly excellent. I’ll bring some friends who appreciate art to visit your gallery someday; you don’t need to offer them any discounts, they aren’t short on money."

Ivan’s words made Lia Aiken chuckle, and she graciously replied, "Then I must thank you in advance, Mr. Horne."

With Ivan Horne’s status, his friends indeed aren’t short of money.

"Mr. Horne, you’re about to travel, right? I’m sorry for taking up too much of your time," Lia apologized. "If we meet again someday, I’ll treat you to a meal to thank you in advance for promoting my art."

Ivan felt that Lia Aiken’s smile was beautiful, and her smile was somehow still serene despite its brilliance, a genuine smile without showing teeth.

Ivan took out one of his business cards and handed it to Lia Aiken, "Let’s get in touch another day. I have an urgent matter now, so I’ll leave first. Goodbye, Miss Lia."

Lia took Ivan’s business card and smiled as she bid farewell to him. Despite clearly being their first official meeting, there was a sense of instant familiarity.

Before this, Ivan had some misunderstandings about Lia.

Meeting her in person completely changed Ivan’s perception of Lia, to the point where he didn’t even care that Mr. Aiken was still standing there, visibly pleased, allowing himself to openly express his admiration for Lia.

Lia, on the other hand, felt grateful towards Ivan.

Three years ago, due to various influences, she lost inspiration in her art and came to T City looking for her senior. She happened to see Ivan’s silhouette at the airport, amazed by how even his back looked handsome, mesmerizing, and imposing, and her long-lost inspiration instantly returned.

Thus, she painted that silhouette, and she highly valued that painting.

However, it was half-forced and bought away from her, even though the man offered a high price. Lia still felt regret.

It was because the painting was bought that she had money for rent and living expenses, for which Lia felt even more grateful to Ivan.

Ivan nodded at Mr. Aiken, then hurriedly left with his entourage.

The father and daughter of the Aiken Family stood where they were, watching Ivan Horne being surrounded and walking away.

At the height of the Aiken Family’s power, Mr. Aiken was also surrounded by many people when he came and went, but Lia felt that even with a dozen bodyguards, her father couldn’t match Ivan Horne’s single person’s imposing manner, which was inherent.

When Ivan had gone far away, Mr. Aiken immediately asked Lia, "You little wench, oh, Lia, how did Mr. Horne know your paintings were good? You said you hadn’t met, but if you hadn’t, he wouldn’t be so kind to you?"

The attitude Ivan showed towards Lia made Mr. Aiken change how he addressed her.

Lia looked sarcastically at her father; this man was truly a social climber. When she was of no use, he wished her dead, but once he saw her becoming useful, he acted like he was about to uplift her.

"If you want to know the reason, go ask Mr. Horne yourself." Lia actually didn’t know the reason either.

She didn’t want to dig deeper; as long as Ivan said her painting was good, she was satisfied.

Mr. Aiken angrily raised his hand to hit Lia, but Lia coldly looked at him, and his hand didn’t come down.

"Move your gallery to T City."

Mr. Aiken suddenly said.

Lia looked at her father mockingly, "Do you think Mr. Horne would fancy me? You think your daughter is a rare beauty? Or do you believe I’d help you approach Mr. Horne? I’ve said I absolutely won’t touch the Aiken Family’s business. If you really want to use female charm to gain Mr. Horne’s support, go home and send your precious daughter up."

After speaking, Lia passed by her father.

Mr. Aiken’s intentions were thoroughly seen through by Lia, but he didn’t feel embarrassed; as long as he could marry into the Horne Family, he’d do anything.

This ungrateful child was raised by him for so long solely because she looked good and had some value to be used; otherwise, he would have resolved her together with those issues years ago.

"If Mr. Horne has a liking for Violet, I wouldn’t have to speak. Violet would approach him by herself. Such a good man, you’d be lucky to have him; don’t be ungrateful." Mr. Aiken caught up to Lia, whispering beside her, not hiding that he wanted to use Lia to gain Ivan Horne’s favor.

No matter how poor their father-daughter relationship was, as long as Lia remained his daughter in name, should Ivan genuinely fall for Lia, he’d have to grant him some respect as the father-in-law.

With Valence Group’s assistance, the Aiken Family would return to its former glory.

"Lia, don’t forget you’re also an Aiken. The Aiken Family business..."

"What does the Aiken Family’s business being good or bad have to do with me? You said the family assets wouldn’t give me anything, so why should I help you?" Lia stopped, coldly rebutting Mr. Aiken, "I’ll repeat, don’t think of using me."

Mr. Aiken was equally cold, "You were being used ever since you came with me, and since you’re already being used, why not let me use you to the end."

Lia had never seen a father as shameless as the man before her.

The reason she came over was because he forced her!

"I really doubt if I’m your biological daughter." Lia coldly threw down a sentence, then walked away briskly.

Mr. Aiken didn’t immediately follow, but watched her back, and for a moment, there was a trace of pain in his eyes, and he murmured, "I wish we weren’t related by blood, yet you are, and not my biological daughter..."

This murmur reminded him of painful past memories, turning the pain into hatred.

He hated her!

He hated that woman for treating him that way.

Hadn’t he treated her well enough?

Though she was his wife, she bore another man’s child, that man being...

Even after her death, he couldn’t quell his anger, especially after taking the daughter he cherished for six years to undergo a DNA test, and the resulting shock nearly drove him insane. Being able to let Lia live, raised to this age, and keeping her under the title of Miss Aiken Family, Mr. Aiken thought he was being generous. Every time he saw Lia, he recalled the double betrayal of family affection and love he suffered.

Though blaming Lia, he knew it wasn’t right, but he couldn’t maintain calm.

The initial years were indeed painful, knowing he once cherished Lia.

When Mr. Aiken pulled himself out from the past, Lia was gone.

"That wench took the chance to run away again."

Mr. Aiken cursed but didn’t promptly search for Lia.

Lia must have gone to her senior.

Knowing Ivan Horne had a good impression of Lia and that Lia planned to stay in T City, Mr. Aiken decided to turn a blind eye and bought a ticket back to River City alone.