Chapter 7: The Canvas of Defiance
The aftermath of the press conference was a whirlwind. While Si Jin's declaration had silenced the immediate gossip, a new challenge arose: the elite art circles of Paris were skeptical. They whispered that Joon was merely a "pretty distraction" and lacked the true talent to stand beside a titan like Kim Si Jin.
To prove them wrong, Si Jin arranged an exclusive, high-stakes exhibition at the Galerie d'Or. But there was a catch—Isabella's father, a powerful art critic, was the head of the committee.
The Night of the Exhibition
The gallery was filled with the scent of expensive perfume and the sharp clinking of champagne glasses. Joon stood in a simple, elegant black suit, their hands trembling. Si Jin noticed and leaned in, his voice a low vibration near Joon's ear.
Kim Si Jin: (Adjusting Joon's collar) Don't look at them. Look at the canvas. You didn't get here because of me; you got here because your art makes even the coldest hearts feel something. Show them.
Joon Jimeya: (Taking a deep breath) I'm ready.
As the velvet curtain fell, the room went silent. The center-piece was a massive portrait—not of Si Jin as a superstar, but of his shadow, painted in strokes of gold and deep violet. It captured the loneliness of being at the top and the warmth of a hand reaching out from the dark.
A New Rival Appears
The crowd gasped. Even Isabella's father was forced to lower his glasses in shock. But just as the applause began, a tall, mysterious man with silver-rimmed glasses stepped forward. He didn't look impressed.
Mysterious Man: (Clapping slowly, mockingly) Quite a performance. But tell me, Joon... does your art have a soul, or is it just a reflection of Si Jin's bank account?
Kim Si Jin: (Stepping in front of Joon, his eyes narrowing) Park Hyung-suk. I should have known you'd crawl out of Tokyo to interfere.
Hyung-suk: (Smirking) I'm not here for you, Si Jin. I'm here for the talent you're "hoarding." Joon, isn't it? A bird in a golden cage can never truly fly. My studio is open... and I don't treat my artists like property.
Joon felt Si Jin's grip tighten on their waist. The possessive Alpha aura began to flare, turning the air cold and heavy.
Kim Si Jin: You're overstepping, Hyung-suk.
Joon Jimeya: (Stepping forward, surprising both men) I am not a bird, and I am not in a cage. If you want to judge my art, Mr. Park, do it with your eyes, not your ego.