Save Myself From Desperation novel Chapter 156

Evan attended the charity dinner not only to seize the opportunity to meet Valentin but also for another reason.

Just a few minutes later, the auctioneer on stage announced. "Next up for auction is a famous painting prepared by Jessica. Unfortunately, Jessica couldn't make it to our charity event due to illness. However, the painting she prepared is quite exquisite, with a starting bid of two thousand dollars."

As soon as Jessica's name was mentioned, the large venue fell silent, followed by an outburst of chatter.

"Damn, Jessica? Such a disgraceful woman still has the nerve to show up. She should just get out of showbiz."

"Exactly. Who would want her stuff? It's just bad luck."

Amidst the arguing, a man fond of landscape oil paintings spoke up. "Hold on. Don't curse just yet. Look at the stage. The painting Jessica prepared is a rare authentic piece. Besides, Jessica is doing this for charity. Let's not be too harsh."

Joseph scoffed at this, thinking to himself that charity was just her pretense.

He considered Jessica a despicable person, trying to whitewash her image under the guise of charity.

All those excuses about being sick and unable to attend were just a cover. Everyone despised Jessica now. She didn't dare to show up.

Frustrated, Joseph nudged Ashley's arm and whispered, "No wonder Evan and Charlie came to the charity dinner. It's all for Jessica."

Ashley could tell at a glance that the painting on stage was indeed a rare masterpiece.

She knew Charlie likely prepared it for Jessica.

Charlie, a cultural relic restorer fond of paintings, had collected many famous paintings.

Now, he was willing to offer his cherished collection to Jessica. Ashley thought Charlie was really a good brother.

Meanwhile, at the banquet hall entrance, Jessica sneaked in, wearing a hat and mask, covered up except for her eyes.

After much deliberation, Jessica couldn't bear to not see for herself and decided to come.

But given her tarnished reputation, she had to dress like this to avoid being recognized and insulted in public.

Watching Ashley look radiant and attend such an event while she had to stay hidden, Jessica was filled with twisted resentment.

She decided to get a female dog when she got back, naming it Ashley.

She would beat and scold it every day.

Thinking this way, Jessica felt some of her hatred subside. Looking at the painting on the stage, she was determined to succeed.

It was a genuine painting worth at least four million dollars.

She thought that with a starting bid of two thousand dollars, anyone would fiercely bid for it.

She thought, 'So what if I have a bad reputation? You all still want to bid for my stuff.'

She believed that once the reporters covered this, showing Jessica offering her genuine painting for charity and how selflessly generous she was, she could earn a good reputation and leave the netizens with no reason to criticize her.

The auctioneer had already announced the start of the bidding.

Those not interested in paintings, especially those who loathed Jessica's character, were not keen.

"Pah, who would want that trash's stuff? I don't even want to see it."

"I think someone like Jessica has no right to be at a charity event. They shouldn't have brought her stuff up on stage."

"Exactly! Whoever bids for Jessica's painting, I'll despise them too."

However, this was an opportunity not to be missed for those who love art. The starting bid of two thousand dollars was incredibly tempting.