A Fake Heiress’s Guide to Love and Power novel Chapter 336

York glanced at Ivan and gave a reassuring nod.

“How’s it going now?” he asked.

“They’re voting. Want to go take a look?” Ivan replied.

“Why are they voting again?” Ivan couldn’t make sense of it. Had he done something wrong?

“People without real talent always look for excuses to save face,” York said, his tone calm, “but those with real skill? They just sit back and wait for the truth to come out.”

Ivan seemed to half–understand, but nodded anyway.

“Relax,” Alessia chimed in, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips as she ruffled Ivan’s hair. “What’s meant for you will always find its way to you.”

Ivan didn’t protest; he just smiled, sweet and gentle, the kind of smile that softened even the hardest hearts.

“Come on, let’s go accept those congratulations with your head held high,” Alessia said, linking her arms with York and Ivan and leading the way.

When the three of them arrived, the voting had just ended.

“All right, the polls are officially closed,” announced the event host.

With A&C Entertainment’s backing, and the combined influence of Dale Reeves and Eddie in the art scene, both industry veterans and outsiders had gotten involved, making the outcome even more unpredictable.

As everyone fixed their eyes on the screen, Dale Reeves walked over to Alessia and whispered something to her. She nodded, crouched down to murmur a few words to Ivan, who nodded back, and then straightened to reply to Dale.

Meanwhile, Hamilton stood/rigid with tension, eyes glued to the trio until the results finally began to appear on the screen.

The twenty paintings were shuffled in random order, with both Tammie’s and Ivan’s pieces mixed in among them.

First, the in–person audience votes were revealed. Unsurprisingly, Ivan’s painting raced ahead–no doubt helped along by those eager to curry favor with Dale

Reeves.

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Chapter 336

But the real suspense was in the online poll.

Each painting appeared with its tally underneath. For fairness, the names were hidden and only numbers were shown.

Most paintings had similar vote counts, but two stood out. One had an overwhelming lead, while the other barely registered a handful of votes.

The moment the results were announced, Hamilton looked as though he might shatter his own teeth from clenching them so hard.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!” Tammie wailed, tugging at Hamilton’s sleeve. But Hamilton, consumed with fury, had no patience left.

“Quiet!” he snapped.

Tammie, pampered his whole life, wasn’t used to such treatment. His lips quivered, and he burst into loud, inconsolable sobs.

“But Grandpa, my painting! You promised I would win!”

York rolled his eyes. “Honestly, crying at your age? Embarrassing,” he muttered, then reached over and covered Ivan’s ears.

“Mr. Quincy, the results are in. Do you still have any questions?” Alessia’s voice was clear and steady, loud enough for everyone to hear.

“No!” Hamilton ground out each word through clenched teeth.

“Grandpa!” Tammie kept wailing.

Hamilton could barely contain his anger. The grandson he’d always spoiled now only made him feel utterly humiliated. Not caring about anything else, Hamilton grabbed Tammie’s arm and dragged him out of the hall.

This time, Cole didn’t try to stop them; instead, he quietly made his way to stand

behind Alessia.

“Art is universal,” Eddie spoke up, drawing everyone’s attention. “It’s not something that can be tarnished by slander. Ivan’s work has earned recognition from both insiders and outsiders alike. First place is rightfully his.”

Following Eddie’s gaze, everyone turned to look at Ivan. Flustered, he instinctively hid behind Alessia, but she nudged him gently forward.

Dale Reeves beckoned him to come up. Ivan knew he should step forward… but his feet felt as if they’d been glued to the floor, refusing to budge.

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Chapter 337