Odalisque - Chapter 88

Again, the door to Brad’s studio was locked tight.

Liv, who had been eyeing the locked door with frustration, turned around, her shoulders slouching.

“It’s been decided that the painting will not be worked on for the time being. Apparently, the painter’s health is in a terrible state.”

Adolf said that when he came to inform her that the nude painting work had been suspended. However, Liv couldn’t believe that Brad was in poor health. Nor could she believe that the Marquis actually believed it.

Although it was true that the Marquis had been generous to Liv, she knew it was extremely rare.

From what she could see, the Marquis’ temper was by no means gentle, and he was not particularly attentive to the poor painter’s health. It was more believable that he was watching and waiting how far Brad would go.

Liv wanted to meet with Brad and give him a warning, but the studio hadn’t been open for days. Uncollected mail was piled and scattered under the studio door.

She recalled the last conversation she had with him.

A businessman…

He said he met a businessman who promised him an exhibition in the capital. Liv advised him to cut ties with him, and Brad went into a rage. She wondered if he got into trouble because of that.

Liv was just about to take a step ahead after walking down the stairs with a worried look on her face.

“Who are you?”

A question in a clear, high-pitched voice came right from her side. Liv reflexively looked back toward where the voice had come from.

“Sorry?”

“Who are you? That’s my husband’s studio.”

The woman, the corners of her eyes flaring upward, eyed Liv suspiciously. Liv looked at her with a puzzled expression, then realized she was Brad’s wife. Perhaps she came to pick up the mail that was piling up in front of the studio.

Brad’s wife, who was small and plump, strode toward Liv with her hands on her hips.

“I said, who are you?”

At the sight of her advancing on her with the intent to yank her hair at any moment, Liv replied nonchalantly.

“Uh, I’m Mr. Brad’s work partner.”

“Work partner?”

The woman’s face was full of disbelief. Knowing her husband’s skills, she refused to believe that Brad would have a proper work partner.

Still, Liv couldn’t confess that she was a model. The only paintings Brad had done with Liv as a model were nudes.

Liv, racking her brain, quickly explained.

“I’m providing Mr. Brad with painting tools.”

To be fair, it wasn’t exactly wrong. After all, it was Liv who got him to work on the Marquis’ mansion. Well, it could be said that she indirectly provided the painting tools.

… Maybe.

“Painting tools?”

“Yes. As you know, painting tools are essential for painters. So they tend to be careful when buying those things.”

The woman, who had been scanning Liv with suspicion, crossed her arms and spoke bitterly.

“So what brings you to the studio?”

She looked at her with doubt, but decided to let it pass for the moment. Liv was inwardly relieved and quickly answered.

“I was going to deliver the item, but it’s been a while and I haven’t seen him. I didn’t hear anything beforehand from him, and because he suddenly stopped communicating with me, it can cause problems with the deal.”

The woman frowned at Liv’s statement and asked sharply.

“Haah… Did that guy buy it on credit or something?”

It seemed that this was not the first time they were in credit debt. The woman looked like she was ready to pour out some harsh words at any moment, and Liv quickly waved her hand.

“No, he’s not on credit. It’s just that I have a set number of deliveries. If the schedule is delayed, it will disrupt other transactions.”

Liv started sweating as she blurted out whatever came to mind. It seemed that Liv was doing a pretty good job of managing her facial expressions, and the woman replied in a more subdued tone.

“I don’t know what you were supposed to deliver, but this guy won’t be around for a while, so just settle your other deals first.”

“He won’t be around?”

“Yes.”

Liv thought something bad had happened, but judging by the woman’s reaction, it seemed that she was wrong. That was a relief, but it didn’t mean she could just sit back and wait.

“May I know what’s going on?”

Liv glanced up toward the studio. She smiled weakly, then opened her mouth to speak.

“I have to go back and report on it, too. I need to know the exact reason so I can resolve the transaction without much difficulty.”

She had no knowledge of how merchants work, but she doubted they would abruptly stop regular transactions over some vague statement. Apparently convinced by Liv’s improvisation, the woman reluctantly replied.

“He went to the capital.”

“The capital?”

Liv’s eyes widened at the unexpected news.

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