Chapter 1088

Hazel followed Mrs. Mayer into the grand hall of Cassius’s villa. Cassius trailed behind them, his gaze sharp with intent. A subtle glance to his assistant sent the man swiftly to the study. Moments later, he returned, bearing an elegantly crafted box. Cassius took the box with a flourish and unlatched it, revealing a scroll so meticulously preserved that its mere presentation hinted at its supposed value. With great care, he unrolled it, displaying a serene painting of shrimp darting beneath lotus leaves, the dewdrops glistening, the water so clear it seemed to ripple from the page. Mrs. Mayer’s eyes lit up at once, pupils dilating with wonder. She stepped closer, her breath catching as she studied the work. Hazel remained a quiet observer, taking in every stroke and shade. To the untrained eye, the painting was exquisite—perhaps even too exquisite. The detail was painstaking, the brushwork refined to near-perfection. But therein lay the flaw. Master Qi was a painter of spirit over fo