Oliver's Substitute Bride (Oliver and Jessica)

Lambert nodded as if he had no intention of stopping.

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

Jessica used to be a frequent visitor to the gallery because her mother liked it and often went to its exhibitions with Jessica. Since Jessica had stopped drawing, she didn't have the time and mood to wander around it. 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 go talk to him."

"Hayden must be busy today, with so many guests to receive. Let's talk to him another day.” Jessica seemed a little timid and just wanted to look at all these things from afar because she had completely separated from this kind of life and felt somewhat unable to be part of it. What's more, she was afraid that she would really wake up her suppressed yearning for art deep in her heart, and then found that she was not qualified 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 all things. You know, there are already a lot of capable people among his students. He doesn't have to take care of this exhibition at all. He can just be a mascot to meet the guests present.”

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

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

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

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

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

"Hayden, stop laughing at me." Lambert smiled and said, "I brought you 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 her emotions, and to regulate her breath, and finally said. "Long time no see.”

Hayden Halper was originally sitting at the back of the table because Lambert and Sally were very familiar people, and there was no need for formality.

He did not expect to see the student who had lost contact with him for so 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 asked Jason about it, but he was told that she was now too busy with her school classes to continue drawing.

In addition, Hayden also knew the news that her mother had passed away. 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 two ponytails, looking like a teenage girl with no worries.

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

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

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

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

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

"Mr. Williams is a rising star with a bright future. Sally has been promoting traditional art. They are all great people. I can only wish you all 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 each other when you were in the studio. I didn't expect that you would work for the Williams Group.” At that time, there weren't many people in the studio. They were all introduced there by acquaintances. Hayden knew all 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 many years since we met. We really need to get together today. The former studio has been rebuilt. If it were still there, it would be great.” Hayden was a little regretful.

"The old house had served us for so many years, so after the urban planning, it was pulled down and was rebuilt. But my studio now is not far 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 of artists. I love to communicate with artists like you because you are so pure.”

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

Jessica thought that they had just come to see the exhibition, but she didn't expect to have a party that night. Since Hayden had brought it up, 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."