My Soul card is a Reaper

Just as Isabella Cruz was trying to convince herself that it couldn't possibly be that Raven, fate seemed to respond with cruel enthusiasm to the very outcome she dreaded the most.

A familiar male voice sounded from outside the door.

"Miss Penelope, I hope you don't mind that I came along to freeload with my father today."

Her entire body stiffened.

"Aiya, it's you!" Penelope laughed warmly. "I haven't seen you for just a few days and you've already grown so tall. What are you saying? Your father and I have known each other for so many years. I'm only happy that you're here."

As she spoke, Penelope led the two men into the private room.

One was a dignified middle-aged man in a neatly tailored suit.

The other, following behind him calmly—

Was Hector Raven.

The moment Isabella Cruz saw his face, she felt as if lightning had struck her on the spot.

Had she offended some celestial deity recently?

Why did fate seem so determined to toy with her life today?

"This is…?" the middle-aged man asked with a polite smile as soon as he noticed Isabella Cruz standing nearby.

Penelope guided him toward the main seat and waited until he sat down before beginning the introductions.

"This is Miss Sky Blue," she said warmly. "A rising star in the art world. She's also the talented young person I especially wanted to introduce to you today."

Adonis Raven raised his brows slightly.

"Oh?" he said with a faint smile. "Penny, after so many years, I know your standards well. Anyone you admire must truly be extraordinary. Miss Sky Blue, it's my honor to meet the person you appreciate so highly."

The moment Isabella Cruz realized who he was, the excitement she had felt about meeting the famous painter Jason Smith instantly cooled.

Even without Penelope explaining further, she could already guess the truth.

The famous Master Jason Smith…

Was none other than Mr. Raven sitting before her.

And Mr. Raven—

Was Hector Raven's father.

No matter how carefully she tried to hide her embarrassing history now, it was useless.

The most painful part was remembering that just yesterday she had publicly humiliated Hector Raven in front of countless people.

If he casually said a few unfavorable words about her in front of his father today as revenge, she would have no grounds to complain.

In short…

Her dream of becoming Jason Smith's student had just shattered into pieces.

When Hector Raven entered the room, he had clearly seen her immediately.

Yet he didn't expose her.

Instead, he walked past her as if she were a stranger.

That only made her more uneasy.

Compared to yesterday, Hector Raven seemed slightly more relaxed in front of Penelope.

When he smiled, he even looked almost like an ordinary person.

Isabella Cruz didn't know what kind of relationship existed between him and Penelope, but she could tell it was clearly very close.

Meanwhile, she herself felt awkward from head to toe.

Especially because she could feel Hector Raven's gaze resting on her from time to time.

She was terrified that he might suddenly say something outrageous.

If Miss Penelope and Master Jason Smith ended up disliking her because of yesterday's incident, she truly didn't know what she would do.

Her mind filled with chaotic thoughts.

Embarrassment, anxiety, regret, and reluctance.

All of them tangled together.

Then suddenly, Hector Raven spoke.

His voice was calm and cool.

"Oh, so this young lady's name is Sky Blue."

He paused slightly.

"What a beautiful name."

Isabella Cruz nearly shivered when she heard those words.

She stood frozen for several seconds, hardly daring to breathe.

At that moment, Adonis Raven laughed warmly. "Miss, why are you standing there so stiffly? Come, sit down quickly. The dishes will be served soon."

He gestured kindly toward the table.

"I've always liked the food at Imperial Cuisine Garden. It's been a long time since I came here, so today I'm especially looking forward to it."

Penelope picked up the teapot and poured tea for him while teasing him familiarly.

"What do you mean by looking forward to it? You're such a busy man now that I have to go through thirty-six procedures just to invite you out for a meal."

She shook her head with a smile.

"It wasn't easy for me to arrange today's meeting. Of course we must do the important business first."

Then she added firmly,

"I'll say this in advance. I like Miss Sky Blue very much."

She looked at Adonis Raven directly. "Adonis, you must accept this disciple."

Her tone became playful yet determined.

"You have to accept her—even if you don't want to."

"If Mr. Raven refuses to accept Sky Blue today," Penelope said firmly, "then I'll make the decision myself."

She turned toward Isabella Cruz with a playful smile.

"Come, Sky Blue. Show Mr. Raven the original painting of Mr. Jason Smith."

The painting had not been packed away after it was opened earlier. It had simply been placed carefully on a chair nearby.

When Penelope mentioned it, Adonis Raven naturally noticed it as well.

He had just lifted his teacup and taken a sip.

But the moment his eyes landed on the painting...

The tea nearly went down the wrong way.

He coughed lightly, almost choking, and hurriedly wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

Then he looked at Penelope and laughed helplessly. "Penny… after all these years, you really haven't changed. "You're still just as domineering."

Penelope smiled mischievously.

Anyone could see that the relationship between the two of them must have been very close for many years.

"Mr. Raven," she replied calmly, "this isn't the first time I've schemed against you."

She tapped the table lightly.

"Your immature work from years ago is now in my hands. If you don't want it to become public knowledge, then you'd better obediently agree to my request."

Her eyes sparkled with playful threat.

"Otherwise…"

Adonis Raven continued smiling, but there was a trace of indulgence in his gaze.

"And what exactly will you do otherwise?"

He glanced toward the painting again.

"Besides, haven't you already let Miss Sky Blue display this painting for two days? Once Jason Smith's original work appears in public like that, it's already half public property."

He shook his head with a soft laugh.

"You've already used half of my reputation to help someone else, and now you're threatening me with it again."

"Penny, your calculations are really impressive."

He paused briefly.

"But this time… I'm afraid you've miscalculated."

His tone remained calm.

"Because that painting…"

"I didn't paint it."

The words fell clearly into the room.

For a moment, the entire private room became silent.

Not only Isabella Cruz...

Even Penelope was stunned.

She stared at the painting in disbelief for several seconds before finally speaking.

"How is that possible?"

"Adonis Raven, I've known you since you first began studying art. How could I not recognize your painting style?"

She pointed toward the artwork.

"The brushwork, the composition, even the color structure… they are exactly the same as your habits!"

Adonis Raven shook his head slowly.

"It looks identical, yes."

"But it's true that I didn't paint it."

He met her gaze calmly.

"Penny… when have I ever lied to you?"

There was a quiet sincerity in his voice.

Anyone listening could sense the deep trust and affection that existed between him and Penelope.

However...

When Adonis Raven's gaze shifted toward Isabella Cruz, the warmth disappeared.

Instead, there was a faint trace of coldness.

Even a hint of dissatisfaction.

Isabella Cruz immediately noticed the change.

Could it be…

Did he already know about the rumors surrounding her?

After all, her reputation outside had never been very good.

Even though most of the stories were nothing more than gossip and speculation, the rumors themselves were enough to ruin a person's image.

In the past, she had never cared about those messy headlines.

But today...

For the first time, she wondered if she had been too careless about her public image.

If her reputation had been cleaner, she might have been able to openly tell Miss Penelope and Adonis Raven that she was Isabella Cruz.

But now…

There was no point regretting anything.

If everything was going to collapse anyway, she might as well do the one thing she truly wanted.

Whether Hector Raven exposed her identity or Adonis Raven refused to accept her as a student, she had already endured countless judgmental gazes throughout her life.

Compared to that...

This was nothing.

As that thought settled in her mind, her expression gradually changed.

Her eyes became calm.

Her lips curved slightly.

She looked at the painting and spoke steadily.

"Actually, during the past two days at the exhibition, I've spent a lot of time observing this painting."

She paused briefly.

"Perhaps… Mr. Raven is right."

"Miss Penelope, this painting might truly not be Mr. Jason Smith's original work."

Her sudden statement clearly displeased Adonis Raven.

His brows lifted slightly, and a trace of ridicule appeared in his voice.

"Oh?"

"So Miss Sky Blue believes she can judge the authenticity of my paintings?"