Oliver's Substitute Bride (Oliver and Jessica)
Chapter 65

Lambert nodded as if he had no intention of stopping.

The three people chatted in the cafe for a while and then went to thenearby art gallery.

Jessica used to be a frequent visitor to the gallery because her motherliked it and often went to its exhibitions with Jessica. Since Jessica hadstopped drawing, she didn't have the time and mood to wander aroundit. The moment she walked in, she felt like it's been a century.

Seeing the huge exhibition poster hanging in the hall on the first floor,she felt a little regretful. If it hadn't been for so many changes at home,she would have been a member of the joint exhibition.

Jessica looked at it as if in a trance. Lambert whispered beside her,"Hayden is in the lounge now. Before the opening ceremony, let's gotalk to him."

"Hayden must be busy today, with so many guests to receive. Let's talkto him another day.” Jessica seemed a little timid and just wanted tolook at all these things from afar because she had completely separatedfrom this kind of life and felt somewhat unable to be part of it. What'smore, she was afraid that she would really wake up her suppressedyearning for art deep in her heart, and then found that she was notqualified to do it anymore. Wouldn't it be more painful and sad?

She wanted to escape, but Lambert saw her hesitation and fear.

"Today, Hayden is not busy. It is his students who are arranging allthings. You know, there are already a lot of capable people among hisstudents. He doesn't have to take care of this exhibition at all. He canjust be a mascot to meet the guests present.”

Sally also said, "Jessica, let's go. We're already here. There's nothing toworry about. Meet your teacher and classmates, and broaden yoursocial circle. You can't spend all your time on the Williams Group. Itwould be too boring for you.”

Yes, she was now a secretary at the Williams Group during the day, andshe had to deal with Oliver. Her youth and dreams had nothing to dowith art anymore. There were only endless debts and endless work. Sheluckily still had a person she could not give up, which was now hergreatest comfort, and the only meaning of her existence.

Jessica followed Lambert and Sally up to the guest room on the secondfloor and saw an old man in a gray robe. Although time had carvedsome wrinkles on his face, he had a unique aura of artist and Jessicacould tell that he was Hayden at her first glance.

"Wow, Lambert, Sally, you're here. Have a seat. "Hayden heard a noiseat the door.” Sally, please help me criticize Lambert. He is a famouspainter now. Although he had been studying painting for a short timehere, he is my student. Now it is really hard to invite him to hold a jointexhibition with us."

In fact, one reason was that Lambert didn't have time. And it was alsobecause he was afraid that if he had a joint exhibition with them, hisname and his relationship with the Williams Group would be seen in allthe news about it.

"Hayden, stop laughing at me." Lambert smiled and said, "I broughtyou an old friend today.”

At this moment, Hayden turned his eyes to Jessica behind Lambert."Jessica."

Hayden blurted out her name.

Tears suddenly welled up in Jessica's eyes. She tried to suppress heremotions, and to regulate her breath, and finally said. "Long time nosee.”

Hayden Halper was originally sitting at the back of the table becauseLambert and Sally were very familiar people, and there was no need forformality.

He did not expect to see the student who had lost contact with him forso long suddenly appear in front of him.

After Jessica didn't come to the studio to draw, they never met again.He felt it was a pity for Jessica that she didn't draw, and he once askedJason about it, but he was told that she was now too busy with herschool classes to continue drawing.

In addition, Hayden also knew the news that her mother had passedaway. Naturally, he couldn't force Jessica to draw in the studio.

"Child, we haven't seen each other for many years. I'm getting old."Hayden was also very emotional. In his memory, she once had twoponytails, looking like a teenage girl with no worries.

Now she was already an adult. But there was only a hint of melancholyin her eyes, and nothing else had changed, so Hayden recognized herat his first glance as well

"Mr. Halper, you haven't changed much. You're still so energetic. It'sreally amazing that you have students all over the world." Jessicasmiled.

"In the future, our Chinese painting field should rely on you youngpeople.” Hayden looked at the three young people in front of him. Theywere all related to this industry.

"Although the art circle has always claimed that traditional Chinesepainting was losing its influence, there are still many people workinghard for it. Our traditional culture can not be lost."

Jessica smiled awkwardly. She used to have this dream but now it wastoo extravagant for her.

"Mr. Williams is a rising star with a bright future. Sally has beenpromoting traditional art. They are all great people. I can only wish youall the best.”

Only then did Hayden ask, "Jessica, what are you doing now?"

"I work as a secretary in the Williams Group.”

"No wonder that Lambert brought you here. You didn't know eachother when you were in the studio. I didn't expect that you would workfor the Williams Group.” At that time, there weren't many people in thestudio. They were all introduced there by acquaintances. Hayden knewall the things in the studio.

"Yes, I have just worked there for a short time."

“Later, I'll show you the students in our studio. It's really been manyyears since we met. We really need to get together today. The formerstudio has been rebuilt. If it were still there, it would be great.” Haydenwas a little regretful.

"The old house had served us for so many years, so after the urbanplanning, it was pulled down and was rebuilt. But my studio now is notfar from here. After the opening ceremony, let's all go over there."Sally echoed, "It's really great. I can get to know another group ofartists. I love to communicate with artists like you because you are sopure.”

Lambert looked at Jessica. "Let's go together.”

Jessica thought that they had just come to see the exhibition, but shedidn't expect to have a party that night. Since Hayden had brought itup, she couldn't refuse. "Okay."

At this moment, the staff downstairs came up and urged, "Mr. Halper,here comes the big shot. Come down and take a look."