Chapter 486

However, when Ulric noticed that everyone’s hearts were racing when they saw Mabel’s face, that displeasure slowly dissipated.

‘The woman I will marry should be a peerless beauty like Mabel, Ulric thought.

He could not help but rejoice. ‘Fortunately, Margaret had asked Ken to complete the engagement with the Fox family and not me. Otherwise, if I attend all kinds of parties and activities, I can only bring Melody, the ugly girl who will only embarrass me.

It was just that… he did not know what gift Mabel had prepared. He still couldn’t believe she would dare to stand up and give a gift after the “priceless golden royal seal” and “child painting filled with sincerity”.

A hint of surprise flashed past Nickolas’s eyes as Mabel walked out of the crowd. He subconsciously looked at his grandson. It was as if he was wondering if Warner and Mabel were compatible.

However, when he looked at Warner, he saw that the ignorant Warner was playing with his phone with his head lowered. He immediately shook his head. ‘Forget it, this grandson of mine has a few years to go before starting a family.’

Nickolas quickly retracted his gaze and looked at Mabel with a smile. “I know you. You were rated Best Celebrity in Silverlake last year, right?”

Mabel smiled shyly and generously. “Yes, it’s my honor that you remember me, Mr. Chapman.”

Nickolas laughed out loud and said, “It’s a human nature. I’m not immune to a beauty like you, Miss Fox. I naturally remember you.”

Although he said that, the truth was that it was because Nickolas had a granddaughter who had mentioned Mabel to him a few times and even showed him a photo. That was why he subconsciously remembered Mabel.

“Mr. Chapman, you’re flattering me.” As Mabel spoke, she took out a painting from the long strip.

Nickolas was obsessed with painting, and interest immediately surfaced in his eyes. “And this is?”

Mabel opened the painting and said, “Mr. Chapman, it is a painting I drew for you. I visited the famous Mr. Frost and asked for his guidance for this painting. However, my time to learn painting is limited. Please don’t mind it.”

“Of course, I won’t.” Nickolas looked at Mabel in admiration.

Compared to those priceless gifts, he appreciated these gifts that were made with one’s heart.

However, Warner knew that Mabel was also giving him a painting. He could not help but feel a sense of competition in his heart.

However, after hearing that Mabel had only received Yannick’s guidance, Warner’s tense nerves immediately relaxed. He turned around and whispered to Melody,” Fortunately, she isn’t giving him Morin’s painting. Ours is different from hers.”

Melody asked meaningfully, “What? To you, the paintings that Yannick had guided aren’t a threat? He’s one of the best in oil painting. Compared to him, Morin is not that famous.”

“You don’t know this, but Yannick is an old friend of my grandfather’s. He was also coming today, but he’s out of town sketching. The plane is delayed. He’ll probably be here in a while,” said Warner.

Melody understood.

Nickolas could have as many of his friends’ paintings as he needed. The rarer something was, the more precious it was. The principle also applied to the paintings. Moreover, Mabel had only received Yannick’s guidance.

At this moment, Nickolas also took the painting from Mabel.

He roughly looked up and down.

This was a classic landscape painting with Yannick’s style.

The blank part was handled very well.

However, Mabel’s basic skills were too poor. Even though she was already trying her best to imitate Yannick’s style, this landscape painting still could not withstand scrutiny. However, Nickolas naturally wouldn’t say these words in front of Mabel. After all, it was her sincerity.

After looking at the painting, he smiled and said, “Miss Fox, you’re very talented in painting. I’ll accept this painting.”

After saying that, he asked the servant to put the painting away, but he no longer commented on the painting or Mabel herself.

Mabel had not slept for almost two days because of this painting. She even spent a lot of money to get Yannick to guide her. Even Yannick thought that this painting was 70% similar to his style.

However, Nickolas’s reaction was mediocre. Although he had accepted the painting, there was no joy or admiration in his eyes.

No matter how stupid she was, Mabel could tell that Nickolas did not think this painting she had painstakingly drawn was outstanding.

For a moment, Mabel felt frustrated and embarrassed.

The people present were all smart. They could tell that this stunning beauty did not have much attainment in painting. They could not help but look at Mabel. It was as if they were watching a good show.

Especially the female guests who were jealous of Mabel’s looks. They almost had the word “mockery” written on their faces.

Mabel noticed everyone’s gaze and forced a smile with a stiff expression. With strong unwillingness, she turned around and returned to where she was standing just now. ‘Who would have thought that? I thought it was a good opportunity to show off, but unexpectedly, it gave others a chance to mock me.’ Mabel pursed her lips and her eyes reddened uncontrollably.

At this moment, Ulric handed her a handkerchief and said gently, “Drawing isn’t your specialty. Don’t think much about it. It’s a gift. The most important thing is the sincerity.”

Mabel looked at Ulric’s concerned gaze, and the uncomfortable feeling in her heart dissipated slightly. However, the fact that Ulric did not introduce her as his girlfriend in public still weighed on her heart.

On the other side, Nickolas also felt the change in Mabel. However, to him, the sanctity of the painting was much more important than a person like Mabel. He could not lower his aesthetic standards because of Mabel’s sincerity and deliberately said some words to praise her.

With his status, he didn’t have to care too much about how others might feel.

“Okay.” Nickolas cleared his throat before continuing, “I can feel your sincerity, but my birthday is just for fun. At my age, if you don’t seize the opportunity to have fun, you can only see me at my funeral. In the future, when I hold parties, please don’t bring gifts. I’m already happy you can be here to talk to me.”

Nickolas was speaking the truth. However, the people present did not dare to come empty-handed. They only smiled cooperatively.

Nickolas raised his hand and said, “Then let’s officially start the birthday party now. As usual, we’ll cut the cake first and everyone will get a share.”

Nickolas loved cutting the cake and making wishes. It was a must every year.

However, at this moment, Warner walked out of the crowd. Grandpa, you can choose not to look at other people’s gifts in person, but you must look at the gift I give you now. I guarantee that you’ll like my gift this year!”

Nickolas’s face was full of disdain when he heard this. “If you want me to live a few more years, forget it.”

Warner’s expression darkened as he recalled the gift he had given Nickolas last year.

It was a robot dog that he had made himself. In the end,

when Nickolas tried it out, the robot dog suddenly made a mistake in its programming. It knocked into Nickolas like a madman and shattered his leg. It took more than half a year to recover.

Of course, Warner was also hospitalized for a month because of a beating.

But soon, Warner regained his confidence. He said again, You’ll like this year’s gift. I swear to God!”