Chapter 312
Chapter 312
Hearing the voice over the phone and seeing the person’s photo on her computer screen piqued Seraphina’s interest.
“Ms. Martin?” Seraphina slowly settled into her chair. “What can I do for you?”
Andrea’s tone was very calm. “Thing is, at my sister’s engagement party yesterday, we had little gifts for the guests, but you left early, Mrs. Reynolds, and I forgot to give you yours. I hear you own an art gallery, mind if I drop it off there?”
A gift from Tania’s engagement party, and she wanted to deliver it personally?
Seraphina couldn’t help but speculate for a moment, “Sure thing. I’m heading to the gallery soon. You’re more than welcome to drop by, Ms. Martin.”
“See you in a bit then.” Andrea seemed pleased with Seraphina’s response and hung up.
Seraphina put down her phone, looked at the information on the computer screen for a while, then got up and went back to her room to change before heading out.
By the time Seraphina arrived at the gallery, Andrea was already standing at the entrance, carefully examining the rose painting Seraphina had hung in the
center.
“Hey.” Seraphina walked in, calling out to her, “Ms. Martin.”
Only then did Andrea turn around. Seeing Seraphina, she gave a small smile, “I heard this gallery was named after your father, Mrs. Reynolds, and mainly exhibits your father’s work?”
Seraphina nodded, “That’s right.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of seeing your father’s work before.” Andrea said, “This rose painting, it’s a bit different from his usual style.”
Seraphina gave a small smile at her words, “You’re spot on. My dad’s usual work is very subtle, but when he painted roses, he used such bold, vibrant
colors.”
After hearing this, Andrea seemed to understand, “Because the rose represents his deepest feelings.”
“That’s right.” Seraphina said, “My mom.”
Andrea looked at the rose painting again in silence for a while, then slowly said, “Your parents’ deep love for each other is truly enviable.”
Enviable?
As Seraphina led Andrea further in, she said, “My dad passed away when I was ten, and my mom went to Starhaven shortly after. The time they had together was really short.”
“Feelings can’t be measured by time, can they?” Andrea said, “Even though it was just over a decade, their true love is better than being in a marriage where you wear each other down and end up as strangers.”
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At Andrea’s words, Seraphina stopped in her tracks, turning to look at her, “I heard your parents have been supporting and loving each other for many years. Is that true?”
Andrea gave a light laugh, “It’s kind of funny you mention this. You’re from a wealthy family too, Mrs. Reynolds. Which long-married couple doesn’t appear to love each other deeply? But what’s really going on, only they know.”
Since only they would know, why would Andrea tell her?
Seraphina couldn’t help but take a second look at Andrea, only to find her gaze had landed on a portrait of her as a child.
“Is this a picture of you when you were young?” Andrea asked.
Seraphina slowly nodded and said, “Yes, it’s the last painting my father made.”
Andrea said, “It’s clear to see, your father loved you very much.”
Seraphina slightly lifted her head, slowly saying, “That’s a given.”
Andrea didn’t say much more, following Seraphina into her office and handing her the gift she brought.
Seraphina said, “Thank you, it’s a hassle for you to have made this trip just for this.”
Andrea gave a small smile, replying, “Actually, I’ve always been curious about you, Mrs. Reynolds. So, I was willing to make the trip, it’s more to satisfy my own curiosity, I don’t find it bothersome.”
Seraphina suddenly thought of Magnolia from the past. She glanced at Andrea and asked with a smile, “Did I disappoint you?”
Andrea replied, “How could you? You’re smart, beautiful, and brave.”
Andrea paused for a moment, then continued, “I’ve read the two articles you published after you returned to the country. They were very brilliant, especially the one about the Naylor crime gang.”
Seraphina didn’t expect her to suddenly bring this up. She looked at Andrea for a moment, then said, “But my biggest regret is that I didn’t find out who was behind Naylor. That article really isn’t complete.”
Andrea asked, “Do you plan to continue the investigation?”
Seraphina slightly tilted her head to look at her and countered, “Why not?”
Andrea calmly said, “Don’t you consider the potential dangers when you do these things? You have family, a husband, you can’t be so reckless, can you?” Seraphina paused for a moment, then replied, “Everyone dies eventually. If you’re unlucky, you could even have an accident while out shopping.” She continued, “Like my best friend, she just wanted to meet up with me. I was waiting for her, who would have known she’d have a car accident and end up in the river.”
It seemed Andrea immediately knew who she was talking about, she asked, “You mean Bowen’s sister?”
Seraphina replied, “Yes, she was my best friend. It’s a shame she didn’t get to see her brother’s engagement ceremony or wedding.” Andrea said softly, “That accident was truly unfortunate.”
Seraphina continued to look at her calmly and said, “So, why should people fear death? Just do what you think is right, right?”
Andrea didn’t respond for a moment.
Seraphina continued, “But, I do appreciate your concern. After all, we just met by chance. To others, we might even be competitors.”
Hearing that, Andrea laughed, “Us, rivals? If I am qualified for that, I’d be rather pleased.”
Seraphina said, “It’s because Leandro wasn’t lucky enough to miss someone as good as you. Honestly, I feel sorry for him. In contrast, Bowen is lucky to have Tania, such a beautiful girl, like him.”
Andrea smiled a bit and then said, “Actually, my sister is a bit silly. Once she likes someone, she goes all-in and it’s hard for anyone to change her mind.” “They just got engaged yesterday.” Seraphina said, “Don’t you think they’re a match made in heaven?”
Andrea’s smile was faint, “Love is a matter of two people, it’s not good for outsiders to comment too much. I just keep my own opinion. In my view, their intimacy is far less than Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds.”
Was she and Leandro naturally intimate? Seraphina had never thought about this question, but as Andrea mentioned Leandro again, she somehow remembered the situation last night and felt a bit shy.
But now was not the time to reminisce. Seraphina snapped out of it to find Andrea still looking at her with a faint smile.
Honestly, after chatting for a long time, Seraphina was still unsure of why Andrea had come to see her today.
As she was considering the content of their conversation today, the door was suddenly knocked.
Upon Seraphina’s response, Secretary Sandy came in, “Mrs. Reynolds, Mr. Herman is looking for you.”
Herman? Seraphina frowned slightly, about to answer, but Andrea had already stood up, “Since Mrs. Reynolds is busy, I won’t bother. I had a great chat with you today, hope we can meet again next time.”
Since she said so, Seraphina didn’t hold her back and got up to see her out.
When Seraphina sent Andrea to the door, Herman was just coming up from downstairs. Seeing Andrea, he was somewhat surprised.
Andrea just smiled and nodded to greet him, then swiftly walked past him.
Herman arrived at the doorway of Seraphina’s office and couldn’t help but look back, just to see Andrea’s figure disappearing at the stairway.
He turned to Seraphina, “What’s she doing here?”
Seraphina shrugged, answered honestly, “I have no idea.”
“No idea?” Herman followed her into the office, “She came to see you, and you don’t know why?”
“Yes.” Seraphina answered calmly, “She came to see me, we chatted a lot, but I really don’t know what her specific purpose was.”
Herman sat down and glanced at her, “You’re always alert. If you couldn’t detect her motive, she must be hiding it well.”
Seraphina pondered with her chin in hand.
Did Andrea really hide it so well? It seemed so, because Seraphina really didn’t detect any intent from her.
But when they were discussing their parents, Leandro, Bowen, and Tania, every word she said seemed heartfelt and genuine.
“Did she come for Leandro?” Herman asked.
Seraphina shook her head, “Doesn’t seem like it.”
“Then for Bowen and Tania’s engagement party?”
“Not that either.”
Herman leaned forward, furrowed his brows, “Then was it for the relationship between Naylor and the Martin family?”
“We did mention that. Seraphina said, “About my investigation into Naylor’s case, she seems to know something and gave me some hints.”
“Hints?” Herman asked slowly, “Or threats?”
Seraphina carefully recalled the situation and slowly shook her head, “It doesn’t seem like a threat. Considering her age and experience, it’s unlikely to have anything to do with her.”
Herman sneered suddenly, “Did you forget she’s from the Martin family? She must have a purpose in coming to you. If you can’t detect it, how can you know what this thoughtful woman is really like?”
“I don’t know,” Seraphina said, “I just feel… she doesn’t seem to harbor any ill will towards me.”
Herman scoffed at this.
-He.came this time to bring two documents for Seraphina to sign. After she signed, he got up to leave and reminded her before leaving, “The Martins are
not easy to deal with. You’d better not rely too much on your intuition and be wary of Andrea.”
Seraphina responded vaguely and then escorted him downstairs to leave. As she turned to go back upstairs, Seraphina’s gaze fell on her childhood portrait.
Meanwhile, today’s conversation with Andrea replayed in her mind.
She suddenly realized – Andrea came specifically to see her today.
Her family, her parents, her investigations, her safety, her friendships, and love…
Just like Andrea said, she was only interested in her.
But what about her would make Andrea so curious?