From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Upon entering, directly in front was a white wall, serving as both a partition and a screen, showcasing the entire art exhibition's facade and attracting the attention of passersby.

And at this moment, hanging on it was that familiar "City Night Shadows."

In small groups, customers gathered at the entrance, curiously looking up and down. This was an ordinary art gallery, not a museum, so there were no glass barriers, allowing for a close and clear appreciation of the artwork—

And that's exactly what people were doing.

One or two leaned in, seemingly examining the paint and canvas with a magnifying glass, then whispered and exchanged opinions.

Annie Hathaway wasn't entirely sure; she vaguely felt it resembled Michael's work, but the scene before her made her doubt.

"Michael...?"

Annie called out.

Michael was completely dumbfounded, looking at the painting before him, stammering and unable to speak.

Thomas went straight to the front, glanced at the introduction in the lower right corner, then turned to Annie and nodded, "Sebastian Osino, yes, that's him. You can tell at a glance it's his pseudonym."

Shakespeare, this was the literary giant the Hathaway couple particularly admired. Annie Hathaway's name came from Shakespeare's wife—

Annie, "What do you mean?"

Michael looked around, "It was originally supposed to be in the second part of the exhibition, belonging to the second stage of the entire exhibition, placed inside, but how did it appear here?"

Obviously, the matter could not be explained, and Michael had many questions.

Thomas noticed, "Red dot. It seems this painting has indeed been sold. Who knows, maybe it's the only painting sold here, so they took it out to promote it. Let me see..."

Thomas squeezed back into the crowd again.

Michael looked slightly helpless, "Thomas."

They shouldn't disturb the crowd. Annie was here, and Michael didn't want others to discover that he had eagerly come to the gallery to confirm his sold artwork; but Thomas kept squeezing into the crowd.

"Anson Wood?" Thomas exclaimed.

Annie was stunned and quickly looked around, "Where?"

Thomas turned back and beckoned, "Look here, over here."

Annie couldn't control her curiosity and squeezed in like an arrow.

Michael shouted, "Annie!"

But he didn't dare to make a loud noise, watching the backs of Annie and Thomas, his face full of helplessness, and finally, still full of annoyance, he squeezed over, lowering his voice somewhat unwillingly, "Thomas, restrain yourself a little."

Thomas completely ignored Michael and was chatting with someone next to him.

"...Don't you know? I thought half of New York knew. Anson himself appeared here this afternoon, causing a sensation."

"Yes, that Anson Wood. It's rumored he was spotted on a date, but no one knows if it was a date or not. Anyway, he stayed here for a long time and bought a painting."

"Then one or two people ran over to join in the fun, just wanting to see what was going on."

"I think it was a date. Anson's first thing to do after returning from Europe was to come here. If it wasn't a date, what else could it be?"

"Heh heh, you know that? Maybe Anson has been in New York for several days. If he doesn't want you to find out, he has ways to hide. He appeared here just because he wanted you to find out. I think it's a publicity stunt, deliberately linking Anson with art."

"Heh heh, if you've already seen through the trick, then why are you still here?"

Chatter, hustle and bustle.

There was no need for Thomas to ask; everyone was talking at once, completely unstoppable.

At this moment, Annie and Michael also saw it—

"Anson Wood."

A big name, right there. It seemed that Anson had bought the painting.

The three Hathaway siblings looked at each other, with many thoughts in their heads at once.

Thomas, "Is it possible it's an imposter?"

Michael: ???

Someone next to him immediately retorted, "TMZ has already taken pictures, still an imposter?"

Thomas was stubborn, "TMZ can also make mistakes; they're not the 'Times.'" Although he said so, Thomas also knew the possibility was very small, then looked at Michael and Annie, "So, what's going on?"

Michael didn't know that the curator of this exhibition was Nora Wood, missing a crucial link, not understanding the reason for Anson's appearance here—

Even if it was a date, choosing this quiet, niche art exhibition was unreasonable.

Was it really a coincidence?

Michael subconsciously looked at his sister, "Annie, could it be you?"

Annie was also a little dazed, countless thoughts crowding together, "No, I didn't..."

Thomas, "Could it be that he's pursuing you? Or are you dating?"

"Maybe he wants to please you, so he bought Michael's painting out of love for you? Or perhaps, he's apologizing for missing the filming of this sequel through this way?"

"Wait, Michael, your painting won't be delivered to our house in a couple of days, will it? That would be awkward; I don't know where I should hang it."

"Oh, God, while pursuing you, he actually brought another date to appreciate Michael's art exhibition. What a jerk!"

Blah blah blah, completely unstoppable.

These guesses were really too outrageous, instantly pulling Annie back to reality.

"He's not...he didn't..."

Annie laughed directly.

"We're not dating, and he wouldn't do such a stupid thing."

"I've never talked to him about Michael's affairs. Besides, have you forgotten? The painting is signed with a pseudonym, not Michael."

Thomas, "Ah..."

Suddenly realizing, a key point cut off all possibilities.

Michael had already calmed down, but he still lacked some confidence—

He couldn't be blamed. No one had ever appreciated or affirmed him. He had always been confused and groping, so much so that when success really happened, he still didn't dare to believe it, subconsciously starting to doubt, with more apprehension.

Annie took a deep breath, "I didn't. I swear!"

"Michael, this matter is beyond my ability. Even facing him, I wouldn't dare and wouldn't make such a request. I've never said it."

"In fact, I have no fewer question marks than you do right now."

The three siblings looked at each other, still unable to sort out their thoughts in a short time.

Thomas came up with an idea, "Annie, why don't you just ask him."

"We're so stupid. Why are we standing here guessing? It would be better to just ask him why he bought this painting. Does he know it's Michael's work?"

Annie looked at Michael.

Michael, on the other hand, looked at Annie, "I don't mind my name being exposed, but what about you? Do you mind?"

If the answer was yes, and Anson knew the author of the painting was Michael, what would that mean? How should Annie face it?

If the answer was no, and Anson was completely unaware of the whole thing, how should Annie handle this problem? Should she thank Anson?

In what capacity?