A Muse to Astonish the World

1
At the opening gala for the new exhibition, a notification popped up from my husband's social media—a post he’d hidden from my feed.
May my muse astonish the world.
The girl in the photo was wearing my missing Morning Star brooch, a bespoke piece.
Just then, a spotlight flared to life on stage, and the host's voice boomed through the hall. "Please welcome the brilliant emerging artist, Luna Jiang!"
It was the girl from the photo.
I smiled, snapped a picture of the stage, and sent it to my husband, Warwick.
"If I reported a theft, how many years do you think she'd get?"
As I hit send, a bank of camera flashes illuminated the side of the stage. My husband, Warwick Vance, was standing there, his gaze fixed on the woman in the spotlight with an expression of pure adoration.
I walked straight up to him. "Warwick, darling," I said, my smile unwavering. "Fancy seeing you here."
…
The moment our eyes met, the tender smile on Warwick’s face froze. I acted as if I hadn't noticed a thing, my voice laced with concern.
"You look so pale, Warwick. Are you not feeling well?"
Mr. Davies, the gallery director, approached us just then, his eyes darting between us. "Ms. Sterling, you and Mr. Vance know each other?"
He gestured toward Warwick, his tone full of admiration. "Mr. Vance here is the new honorary director of our gallery! We have him to thank for funding both our young artist sponsorship program and the complete overhaul of our security systems. We've even named the east wing 'The Vance Light' in his honor."
Mr. Davies beamed at Warwick. "Mr. Vance, if you had told us you were coming tonight, we would have arranged the head seat for you!"
He must not have heard the intimate way I'd said Warwick's name.
My lips curved into a smile as I looped my arm through Warwick's rigid one. "Oh, we're more than just acquainted, Mr. Davies."
"We're legally married."
I tilted my head, my smile never faltering. "Right, darling?"
A tremor ran through Warwick’s arm. He managed a strained smile. "I was just passing by and saw there was an event, so I thought I'd drop in. I didn't want to disturb anyone."
He brushed past the director's question, his voice low as he introduced me. "This is my wife, Kathy Sterling." His eyes flickered away, unable to meet mine.
I didn't expose his pathetic lie on the spot. Instead, I turned my attention to the stage, feigning admiration. "Mr. Davies, who was Miss Jiang's mentor? Her work has such a spark."
At the mention of her name, the director became effusive. "Luna? A true prodigy. An incredible talent from a very humble background. She's the rising star we have the highest hopes for. Mr. Vance was the one who discovered her—her patron. He not only brought her to our attention but has provided immense support to the gallery on her behalf."
I nodded slightly, listening in silence.
As the evening wound down, Mr. Davies eagerly led Luna over to us. "Luna, come and meet the esteemed Kathy Sterling! Ms. Sterling is the one who established our 'Voyager Fund' for new artists." He added with a chuckle, "What a coincidence that your patron is Ms. Sterling's husband."
Luna greeted me respectfully, her words a perfect blend of awe for me and gratitude for Warwick. She projected an image of humility and fragility, but I could see the calculating assessment—and the hostility—she couldn't quite hide in her eyes.
My gaze settled on the brooch pinned to her dress. "Miss Jiang," I began, my voice soft, "for someone from such a humble background, how can you afford a custom piece from 'Morning Star'?"
I paused, letting the silence hang in the air. "It's a remarkable coincidence. It looks almost identical to a one-of-a-kind piece I lost a while ago."
The color drained from Luna's face. She shot a desperate, pleading look at Warwick.
He gave her a sharp, warning glare.
She immediately lowered her head, her voice a small, wounded whisper. "The brooch… I made it myself, a replica from design sketches using cheaper materials. The diamonds are just crystals. It may be a fake, but I wanted the presentation of my work to be perfect."
I didn't press further. I just turned to Warwick and gave him a slow, meaningful smile. "Darling, I was particularly fond of that brooch. If I find out some sticky-fingered thief made off with it, I’ll make them pay dearly."
Warwick's face was a thundercloud. He seized my wrist, his grip tight, his voice strained. "Kathy. It's time to go home."

2
The heavy front door clicked shut behind us. I turned, my eyes cold steel.
"Warwick, you had better have a damn good explanation."
He rushed forward, his words tumbling out. "Kathy, I swear, there's nothing between us! The girl is incredibly talented, but she comes from nothing. It was just… a moment of weakness for a promising artist…"
I cut him off with a scornful laugh. "Sponsoring her when she was a minor? Fine. But she's twenty now, perfectly capable of standing on her own two feet."
"Starting next month, you will pay only the gallery's basic contract fee. Not a single cent more for materials. I'll have Mr. Davies arrange an assistant's position for her at the gallery; it won't interfere with her creative work."
I stared directly at him, laying out my terms, one by one. "You will cut off all contact with her. That includes the sponsorship. From now on, the money will be transferred directly from my personal account to the gallery."
"And," my gaze intensified, "everything you've given her—the brooch, anything else—will be returned. In its original condition. If Luna Jiang wants to be a high-minded artist, she can stop acting like a canary in a gilded cage."
A storm of emotions crossed Warwick's face before he finally slumped in defeat and nodded. He turned and walked away without another word.
Years ago, the Vance family, desperate for a foothold in the cultural sector, had sent their meticulously groomed heir to me. He was refined, tasteful, and elegant. Though I had little interest in romance, I saw the value in a power merger and agreed to the marriage. After we married, we discovered a shared passion for the arts and enjoyed several years of genuine harmony. Though the passion had faded recently, we remained respectful partners.
I understood that all marriages eventually settle into a quiet routine, but I would never, ever tolerate betrayal.
The next day, as promised, Warwick returned with everything. The 'Morning Star' brooch lay nestled in its velvet box on the table before me.
"Kathy, I've made it clear to her. We won't have any more contact," he vowed, his tone earnest.
Seeing his compliance, the fire in my chest cooled slightly. I said nothing more.
The moment Warwick left, a friend request popped up on my phone.
It was from Luna.
I was wondering how she got my contact information when a second request came through. Assuming it was about the sponsorship, I accepted, ready to handle it professionally.
Before I could type a single word, my screen was flooded with her messages.
"Ms. Sterling, don't you think you're overreaching? You're nothing but a parasitic vine living off your husband's capital."
"By what right do you take back the gifts Mr. Vance gave me?"
"He paid for them with his own money! He can give them to whomever he wants!"
"You call yourself a great curator? What kind of power trip is this, crushing a young artist like me?"
I read the defiant words, a cold smile spreading across my lips. Not a delicate flower, then. A venomous little snake with fangs.
I typed back slowly. "Warwick and I are legally married. Our assets are shared. It is my right to spend his money. But every cent he spent on you is marital property. If I wanted to, I could sue you for malicious appropriation and make you pay back every last penny, with interest."
"Miss Jiang, is this how an artist who depends on sponsorship speaks to her patron? I suggest you learn your place. It wasn't easy to claw your way out of some backwater village into the city. Don't throw it all away."
"I'll let this slide as youthful impulsiveness. But if there is a next time, your contract and your assistant position will be gone."
The chat window went silent. She didn't reply.
I didn't give it another thought. I'd seen countless girls like her, trying to climb the social ladder on their backs. They rarely end well.

3
Just then, my mother called.
"Kathy, darling, your grandmother misses you. Can you come to the estate for a visit soon?"
Grandmother's health had been declining for years, and Warwick and I made a point to visit whenever we could. With my latest exhibition just wrapped up, my schedule was clear.
"Of course," I said cheerfully. "Warwick and I will come together."
The night before our trip, however, Warwick called. "Kathy, I'm so sorry. There's an urgent merger at the company. I have to fly to Zurich immediately. I won't be able to go with you."
His voice was thick with apology. "I've already prepared the nutritional supplements for Grandmother, don't forget to take them. I promise I'll make time to see her as soon as this project is over."
Work had always been our priority. "Alright," I said, understanding.
Back at the family estate, I was strolling with Grandmother through the nearby botanical gardens when she suddenly pointed into the distance. "Kathy, look. Doesn't that man look a bit like Warwick?"
My heart sank. I followed her gaze.
It was him.
Even from the back, I recognized the cashmere coat from the photo he’d sent me that morning. Beside him, Luna Jiang leaned in affectionately as they stood before easels, seemingly sketching the scenery.
I forced the rage down, laughing lightly. "Grandmother, your eyesight is getting worse. He's on a business trip in Zurich. How could he possibly be here? The wind is picking up, let's go sit in the teahouse up ahead."
Once I had Grandmother settled, I sent my live location to Warwick.
Then I called him.
"Warwick. You have three minutes. Get here now."
His voice on the other end was surprised. "Kathy? What are you doing nearby?"
I laughed, a sound devoid of humor. "I should be asking you that. Aren't you supposed to be in Zurich?"
He stammered. "Luna… she was having creative block, and today is her birthday, so I brought her out for some inspiration…"
"Shut up," I snapped. "Get to the location I sent you. Immediately."
He refused outright. "Kathy, I'm the one who brought her here. I can't just abandon her. You and Grandmother go on ahead. I'll explain everything when I get back tonight."
"Warwick, if you are not here in three minutes, you will face the consequences."
Before I could finish, he hung up.
When I tried to call back, his phone was off.
A moment later, Luna's social media feed updated.
[Someone said they'd block out the whole world just to look at the scenery with me~]
The accompanying photo was of Warwick's back as he held a delicate paper umbrella over her head.
I was trembling with fury. I opened my chat with Luna.
"Have Warwick call me back in the next three minutes, or you will both regret it."
The message was met with silence.
Three minutes passed. Nothing.
I didn't hesitate. I called my assistant. "Terminate all cooperation with Luna Jiang. Immediately."
Then, I screenshotted Luna's post and uploaded it to my own account.
[Husband lies about a business trip to take his sponsored student on a 'creative retreat,' then blocks his wife's calls. Thoughts?]
The post exploded.
[What is happening? Isn't Mr. Vance supposed to be the perfect doting husband? Is this real?]
My feed blew up with comments and shares.
Soon, Warwick's name was flashing on my screen, call after call. I declined and blocked his number.
The next morning, Warwick's parents dragged him to my door.
The second they were inside, his father's foot shot out, kicking him hard. "You disgraceful whelp! You've dragged the Vance family name through the mud!"
His mother, trembling with rage, slapped him squarely across the face.
They continued to berate and hit him right in front of me. When they had vented enough, his mother turned to me, her tone shifting. "Kathy, Warwick was just momentarily foolish. There's really nothing going on with that girl. Don't take it to heart."
His father kicked him again. "Get on your knees and apologize to Kathy!"
Warwick dropped to his knees with a thud. When he looked up, his eyes were bloodshot. "Kathy, I was wrong. I swear I'll never contact her again. Please, just forgive me this once."
Looking at his pathetic state and the sincerity in his eyes, I couldn't bring myself to throw away our entire relationship.

4
I sighed, my voice heavy. "Warwick, this is the last time."
As a show of his resolve, Warwick deleted all of Luna's contact information right then and there. In the following days, he came home on time every evening. He even started learning to cook to please me. Our relationship seemed to return to the warmth of our early years.
I believed the chapter with Luna was closed, and I threw myself into preparing for my studio's annual exhibition. After countless sleepless nights perfecting the new series, everything was finally ready. I told my team the official opening was in three days and sent them home to rest.
The next morning, Faye, one of my signed artists, called me.
"Kathy… I… I've been replaced."
I was stunned. "But the exhibition isn't for two more days."
Faye's voice broke. "Mr. Vance… he moved the opening to today!"
My mind went blank. I grabbed my car keys and bolted out the door.
When I arrived at the gallery, Warwick was on stage, confidently answering questions from the press. And standing beside him, glowing under the lights, was Luna Jiang.
The paintings hanging behind her were Faye's new series—the work she had poured her heart and soul into.
Shaking with rage, I stormed the stage. "Warwick! What is the meaning of this?"
He flinched when he saw me, a flicker of panic in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself. "Kathy, Faye wasn't feeling well and couldn't make it. I asked Luna to fill in at the last minute."
The words were barely out of his mouth when Faye emerged from the crowd. "I am not sick! Mr. Vance's secretary informed me that I had been replaced!"
A wave of murmurs swept through the audience.
I pointed at Luna, my voice dripping with ice. "Take down her paintings and get her out of here. This is my exhibition. Who the hell is she to display the work of an artist from my studio?"
Tears welled up in Luna's eyes. "Ms. Sterling, I didn't know anything about this, please, don't do this to me…"
Warwick pulled her behind him protectively. "Kathy, this was my decision. Don't take it out on Luna!"
I laughed coldly. "Warwick, you've crossed every line for her. This project was my baby, and now you're interfering with this, too? Have you forgotten how you knelt and swore to me?"
Luna's sobs grew louder as she clutched Warwick's sleeve. "Mr. Vance, please don't fight with Ms. Sterling because of me… It's all my fault. I'm just not worthy of your kindness…"
Seeing her tear-streaked face, Warwick glared at me. "Kathy, this project might be your work, but it belongs to my company! As the president, what's wrong with me replacing one artist?"
Before I could argue, he cut me off, his voice rising in accusation. "You're too controlling! You cut off her funding over something so trivial and had the gallery suspend her work! You even hired people to harass her! She's just a child, fresh out of school, and you've pushed her to the brink of a depressive relapse! I wouldn't be helping her if it weren't for that! I'm cleaning up your mess!"
I was so furious I laughed. "My mess? Warwick, you're a master of self-deception! How dare you be so self-righteous about your affair!"
His nerve was struck. He flushed with anger. "Kathy, if you cause any more trouble, I will have you removed from your position immediately! You can be a stay-at-home wife!"
CRACK!
I had reached my limit. I slapped him, hard.
He clutched his cheek, his face dark with fury, and called for security. "Get these two crazy women out of here! Don't let them ruin the exhibition!"
Faye and I were brutally dragged out of the gallery. Staring at the closed doors, I let out a cold, sharp laugh.
I took out my phone and dialed the director of my family's investment group.
"Immediately cease all investment in Vance Industries and sever all partnerships. Recall all our personnel. Three days. I want Warwick Vance to have nothing left."

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