Part 2The Artist's Revenge

Three days passed quickly.

What Caleb told me to wait and see was this year's International Youth Art Exhibition.

Ostensibly an exhibition, it was actually a chance for the Harvard School of Art to specially admit talented painters.

Every student with some painting talent in the country was there.

In my past life, Layla shone at the exhibition with a painting titled "Spring Day," earning a personal meeting with the Dean of Harvard Art.

She then received a special admission qualification to Harvard, bringing glory to the Lin family.

It also made my parents and Caleb look at her with new eyes.

They didn't hesitate to criticize and neglect me for her.

Finally, they took revenge on me.

I walked into the exhibition hall with a calm expression and a straight back.

Everyone's eyes fell on me.

Whispers around me were clearly audible.

"Isn't that Fiona? Heard she scored much higher than Layla in the SATs, but her parents spoil Layla more."

"She's pitiful too. The biological daughter of the Lin family, but lost for years. No matter how capable, she can't compare to the fake heiress raised by the parents for so many years."

"Not just the Lin parents, Caleb also ignores the top student to revolve around Layla all day. Strange."

"You don't understand. Layla's grades are average, but she has artistic talent. Heard this exhibition is aimed at her."

Ignoring these discussions, I walked straight to my booth.

Just as I finished arranging my paintings, Caleb walked over with Layla.

"Fiona, you're participating too?"

"Well, that's fine. When Layla's painting gets selected later, you can share some of the glory."

Without looking up, I adjusted the frame and said indifferently: "Caleb, you spread the news everywhere that Layla is a genius painter, using my grades to build momentum for her. You really put in a lot of effort."

"But have you ever thought, the higher you lift her, the harder she falls?"

"It's fine if she succeeds, but if she fails, she'll probably become a laughingstock."

Caleb looked at me sideways and sneered.

"You think she's you? What can you do besides taking exams?"

"Let me tell you, Layla's painting has already been chosen internally. She will be the genius specially admitted to Harvard Art, the focus of everyone."

"I know you're jealous of Layla, but for the sake of being classmates, I advise you to be polite to her."

He pointed at my painting: "Or, admit now that Layla is better than you, and I won't hold your past actions against her against you."

"I can even tell Layla to allow me to spend two days with you when I'm free."

People around couldn't help whispering, many watching for the drama.

I knew what they were discussing.

Sophomore year, the student council president confessed to me.

I said I only liked Caleb. Even if his grades were bad, I was willing to be with him.

Since then, everyone thought I was Caleb's simp.

Willing to be a spare tire just to be with him.

Someone in the crowd jeered: "Fiona, just admit it. Don't make Caleb angry, or he won't play with you anymore."

Layla couldn't hide her smugness, then looked at me, considerately saying:

"Everyone, don't make it hard for my sister. She's the top student after all, how dare I compare with her."

Caleb hugged Layla's shoulder, heart aching for her.

"You're just too kind. You are clearly the most dazzling one, no need to yield to her."

Watching them singing the same tune, trampling on me wantonly, I couldn't help laughing.

"Since you're so confident, I'm curious about three questions."

"First, Layla, do you dare to compare real talent and learning with me?"

"Second, Caleb, what makes you think I still like you?"

"As for the third, do you really think the guaranteed admission spot for this exhibition belongs to Layla?"

Everyone looked at me, instantly silent.

Seeming to ponder the meaning of my words.

At this moment, a teacher from the organizing committee walked over.

"Student Layla, the Dean has seen your work and would like to invite you for a detailed talk."

The surroundings exploded.

"Layla is being met privately by the Dean, looks like she really has talent!"

"Caleb has a keen eye, spotting the pearl from the fish eyes immediately. Many get into Harvard, but few get specially admitted for art."

"If I were Fiona, I'd admit defeat and leave now to save face."

Caleb and Layla glanced at me coldly.

Layla left triumphantly.

Caleb looked at me, tone arrogant.

"I told you Layla is a genius, but you wouldn't believe it."

"Alright, since it's come to this, as long as you admit Layla is better than you,"

"After graduation, I can give you one of my children as a reward."

The crowd roared with laughter.

As if the exhibition result was settled, and I was the pitiful loser.

My best friend Summer stomped her foot in anger: "Fiona, I'll go call the homeroom teacher to uphold justice!"

I shook my head calmly: "No need, someone will come for us soon."

Just as I finished speaking, the organizing committee teacher came over again: "Student Fiona, the Dean wants to see you."

I didn't move, just asked: "Teacher, could you ask the Dean to come here? Some things need to be clarified in public."

Soon, the Dean came personally.

Holding two paintings, he frowned.

"Student Fiona, why is your work so similar to Student Layla's?"

Red-eyed Layla stared at me, voice choked.

"Sister, I trusted you so much, I didn't expect you to plagiarize my work!"

I stood my ground calmly.

This scene was expected.

Because in my past life, Layla used my painting to participate in the competition.

And was specially admitted to Harvard because of it.

In my past life, worried that sisters turning against each other would embarrass our parents,

I didn't expose the truth.

Unexpectedly, it became the fuse that killed me.

Now, I don't need to wrong myself anymore.

"In this world, playing the victim doesn't make you right."

"Accusing me of plagiarism, do you have evidence?"

Layla bit her lip and looked at Caleb.

He immediately said coldly: "Dean, I can testify. Last week I went to the studio to find Layla and saw Fiona sneaking around Layla's easel."

"She must have peeked at Layla's work then!"

The Dean looked troubled: "Student Caleb, we can't conclude based on just that..."

Caleb said decisively: "Because I know Layla, she has real talent and learning."

"As for Fiona, although her grades are good, her artistic talent can't compare to Layla's at all."

I looked straight into the Dean's eyes, "In that case, why not ask the judging panel to set a topic on the spot, and let us paint right here to see who is better?"

Layla's face changed drastically, panic-stricken as she tugged at Caleb's shirt.

But he responded confidently: "Just what I wanted."

"Save you from constantly slandering Layla."

In my past life, for Caleb's so-called "peace,"

I willingly hid my talent and gave the opportunity to Layla.

But in return, I got betrayal and contempt from everyone.

Reliving this life, I just want to live for myself.

With this commotion, several senior professors from Harvard Art arrived and set the topic.

"Impromptu creation on the theme of 'Youth', time limit 30 minutes."

Hearing the topic, Layla visibly relaxed, a smug smile curling her lips.

She picked up her brush and started painting fluidly on the canvas.

Caleb watched from afar, face full of pride.

Time's up. Layla displayed her work first.

A charcoal drawing drew gasps of admiration from the crowd.

When it was my turn, the canvas was empty.

Whispers erupted around us. Caleb sneered:

"I told you, Fiona only knows how to study, what artistic talent does she have?"

Layla looked at me,

"Sister, it's okay if you can't draw."

"I can overlook the plagiarism, after all, we are family."

"When we get into Harvard, I'll ask Caleb to look after you too."

Onlookers also advised me to admit defeat.

"How embarrassing. If I were Mr. Lin, I'd leave all the family property to Layla."

"Exactly. Even though she's not the biological daughter, at least she's generous, presentable, and promising."

Caleb's eyes suddenly lit up.

"That's a good idea."

"Fiona, let Uncle and Auntie leave the inheritance to Layla, and we'll pretend today never happened."

Layla pretended to say: "Caleb, I don't care about that. As long as I can continue painting and bring glory to the Lin family."

"But if sister is willing to reconcile this way, I can accept it."

I laughed too, no mirth in my eyes.

I looked into the distance and saw Summer bringing in a middle-aged woman. My smile became genuine.

Finally here.

I looked at Layla, "You should know this head nurse, right? Eighteen years ago, your mother gave her ten thousand dollars to switch my birth certificate with yours."

"So you could live the life of a rich young lady, while I had to grow up in the slums."

Layla's face turned pale instantly, the brush in her hand falling to the ground with a clatter.

"You're lying!"

"Sister, I know you're jealous of me, but you can't fabricate such lies!"

Caleb's expression changed slightly, "Fiona, you've gone too far! To win a competition, you'd tell such a lie?"

The Dean picked up the microphone to speak.

I calmly held up a document: "This is the birth record from back then, the head nurse's testimony, and a recording of Layla letting it slip."

"She hates me, blaming her mother for not throwing me into a ditch, ruining her good fortune as a rich girl."

The crowd was in an uproar.

Caleb turned to look at Layla in shock.

She was full of panic, trying desperately to explain.

I walked to the center of the stage and picked up the microphone.

"Dean, regarding today's competition, I have one more thing to explain."

"Layla's painting 'Spring Day' is actually my work from last year."

Under everyone's gaze, I slowly raised the sketchbook in my hand:

Opening it, inside was a striking charcoal drawing.

In the drawing, a girl knelt before an easel, but the brush in her hand was broken;

Behind her stood two blurry figures, laughing triumphantly.

"The title of this painting is 'Stolen Youth'."

My voice was clear and firm.

"The painting 'Youth' Layla just submitted is a plagiarism of this work—"