【Doesn't matter how much he lies. Once they pull the security footage, his "pure moonlight" image is going straight into the gutter!】
【The ML comes from such a poor family and has to work his way through school. He's been through so much!】
I stared at Cliff.
At the hundred-thousand-dollar watch on his wrist. The eighty-thousand-dollar Dior suit. The six-thousand-dollar leather shoes on his feet.
My brow furrowed.
Poor family?
Working his way through school?
Were we talking about the same person?
He was dressed more like old money than I was—and I was the actual rich kid here.
Anyone who'd ever painted knew how easy it was to get pigment everywhere. That's why most artists wore cheap, stain-resistant clothes to work in.
But Cliff...
I watched the comments continue to gush over his "admirable work ethic" and "humble circumstances."
I had no words.
Before I could even respond, tears began streaming down Cliff's face.
"I know you're some wealthy heiress who doesn't care about prize money this small," he choked out. "But for me, this award is an entire year's tuition. I need this money. I can't survive without it."
His eyes were red-rimmed, glistening. Then, without warning, he dropped to his knees before me.
Thud.
"I know you switched the paintings because you wanted first place. Fine—I'll give you the title. You can have the championship. But please, can you at least give me back the prize money?" His voice cracked. "If you want me to ghost-paint for you in the future, just ask. You don't have to steal my work."
Bonnie rushed forward, cradling him protectively. "A man's knees are worth their weight in gold! You're the victim here—why should you kneel to him?!"
If I agreed with anything Cliff said, I'd be confessing on the spot.
I kept my voice level. "As far as I know, tuition is twelve thousand a year. You could sell any single item you're wearing and cover that several times over." I paused. "And for the record—I have zero interest in winning a traditional painting competition. Why would I swap anyone's work?"
Cliff's expression flickered, freezing for just a moment. Then he turned to Bonnie, wounded and helpless.