chapter1050

The room went quiet for a split second after Juna spoke, then everyone started talking at once.

"Miss Davis, you can't be serious. There's no way Miss L is Owen."

"Yeah, right. Owen has been a legend in the art world for years. Miss L is only eighteen."

"Exactly. Miss L is already amazing, she topped her exams and she's Kevin's star student, but Owen is on a whole different level. How could they possibly be the same person?" another lady added, her voice full of disbelief and just a hint of mockery.

Rosie stepped forward, her lips curled into a smirk. "Miss Davis, that's ridiculous. Owen's identity has always been a mystery. People have tried for years to figure it out and got nowhere. How could it be Lydia? You can't make things up just to make her look good."

Juna let out a light laugh. "How about we make a little bet, Miss Gibson? If Miss L turns out to be Owen, you'll serve tea and apologize to both me and Owen. What do you think?"

Rosie scoffed. "And if she isn't?"

"Then I'll serve you tea and apologize. It's Carson's birthday, after all. A friendly wager might make things more interesting."

Rosie didn't even hesitate. "Deal."

She was sure Lydia could never be Owen.

Kylie and Cameron stood off to the side, looking proud and a little smug. These people really had no idea.

Cameron grinned. "I don't think it's impossible at all. Miss L has done so many incredible things at such a young age. You might not imagine it, but that doesn't mean it can't happen."

That made everyone pause. Rosie's brow furrowed. What was he getting at? Could Lydia actually be...?

Suddenly, someone laughed from the entrance. "Looks like we showed up at just the right moment."

Kevin, dressed in a sharp black suit, walked in with Mr. Rowland, the principal of Capital College, right beside him.

The crowd buzzed with excitement. Carson really lived up to his reputation. All the most important people in the country were here.

"Grandpa Kevin. Mr. Rowland." Lydia greeted them with respect.

People looked at each other, surprised. Everyone knew Lydia was Kevin's student,

but she seemed just as close to Carson.

Both men smiled at Lydia, then stepped forward to admire her painting.

"Lydia, your skills just keep getting better," Kevin said.

Mr. Rowland nodded. "Absolutely. Look at this painting of pines and cranes. It's so vivid, so lifelike. Only

Owen could create something like this."

A wave of shock swept through the room.

Did Kevin and Carson just say that Lydia was Owen?

Was Lydia really Owen?

The whole room was stunned. It was almost too much to believe.

Juna shot Rosie a triumphant look. "Did you hear that, Miss Gibson? You lost."

Rosie's face drained of color, then

elmet

turned bright red. She'd thought her expensive gift would win her an apprenticeship, but Carson had rejected her. Now, finding out Lydia was Owen left her burning with jealousy.

She clenched her teeth. "So what if she's Owen? Carson still won't take her as his final student."

Lucinda suddenly spoke up. "Too

bad Carson already has a final student Otherwise, with talent Owen's, she could have been a Go master, too."

Lydia glanced over at Lucinda, who quickly shut her mouth and slipped back into the crowd.