The Speedrun Manual of Miss Witch - Chapter 246

At the entrance of Avena’s mansion, Isabella leaned out of the carriage window, looking at the seven or eight carriages waiting in line ahead, and took a slight breath.

She had come with gifts and had chosen the day before Avena’s banquet to show her face or shamelessly ask for an invitation.

Even though Avena hadn’t been active in Ansu City’s upper circle for a long time, the resources she possessed were still incomparable to Isabella’s. For example, Princess Windsor had publicly stated she would attend Avena’s banquet.

Isabella had originally thought that with her brief acquaintance in Berren City, she could become familiar again in Ansu. But now, seeing the situation before her, she felt like retreating a bit.

So many wealthy merchants who were almost as rich as her family… She should quickly hand over the painting to Avena and leave quietly… It was herself who was here, not her father. Her own standing wasn’t so great that she could compare to others…

In the Westminster District of Ansu City, you could throw a brick and randomly hit a factory owner or a noble. Although this was an exaggeration, it did reflect some truth.

Just as Isabella was about to slip away, the butler, after hearing something from a maid, walked directly towards Isabella’s carriage.

“Are you Miss Isabella Stuart?”

The butler asked respectfully.

“Ah? Yes… it’s me.”

Isabella nodded and asked weakly, “Did I block the way? I will…”

“Oh, certainly not, esteemed young lady. You are Miss Avena’s friend.”

The butler showed a faint smile and said, “Miss Avena said that since parting ways in Berren City last time, she hasn’t had a chance to chat with an old friend for a long time. It’s good that you are here, you can catch up together.”

“Me?”

Isabella’s eyelids twitched. For a moment, she was flattered.

She was indeed friends with Avena, but their relationship wasn’t close enough to be considered “old friends” and “catching up.” The butler’s words truly made Isabella feel a little awkward.

She walked into the mansion with her maid, feeling nervous the entire time. She was personally led to the study by the butler. After opening the study door, she saw two familiar figures.

One was Avena, and the other was Miss Ciel, whom she had chatted with in Berren City.

“Come, sit,”

Ciel smiled and beckoned to Isabella, pointing to the steaming red tea beside her. “It’s quite cold outside, isn’t it? Have some tea to warm yourself up. Just make yourself at home, don’t be so reserved.”

Isabella’s eyelids twitched slightly. She tiptoed in like a thief, sat on the sofa, and took a sip of the red tea.

Why did this feel a little unreal? There were so many people waiting outside and couldn’t get in. How did she manage to get in?

Could it be that her luck had changed?

However, were they being a little too enthusiastic towards her…?

If this weren’t Avena’s home, Isabella would definitely think she was about to be trafficked.

After much thought, Isabella felt that the only thing about her that could be valued was her family’s paintings.

Did one of these two people take a liking to a painting from her family?

“Congratulations to Miss Avena on your new home and welcome back to Ansu City.”

Isabella spoke, then looked at Ciel. “Welcome to Ansu City as well, Miss Ciel… I didn’t know Miss Ciel had also come to Ansu City. Otherwise, I would have visited much earlier.”

“I live very close to Avena’s place. If you don’t mind, you can come and chat with me anytime.”

Ciel showed a polite and gentle smile, narrowing her eyes, trying not to make direct eye contact with the other party.

After a few simple pleasantries, Isabella, who couldn’t find a topic, finally couldn’t resist asking directly, “Miss Avena, thank you very much for inviting me in as a guest… If there is anything I can help with, I will do my best.”

“It’s not really helping. It’s just helping each other as friends…”

Avena calmly shook her head and then directly said the pre-agreed words she had briefly discussed with Ciel, “Ciel has recently become interested in painting and wants to find a good teacher to learn from. You are quite knowledgeable in this area, so she would like to ask for your advice.”

The word “advice” made Isabella feel a little overwhelmed. She quickly waved her hand and said, “It’s not really advice, but there are indeed many excellent painters at the Art Center. I can introduce you…”

“Does Mr. Pickman accept students?”

Ciel directly asked with a smile.

“Pickman?”

Isabella was stunned for a moment.

This was an artist her father had invited at great expense. He was a very reclusive painter, and very few people appreciated his paintings. Isabella had thought that besides her father, no one else would like such bloody artworks.

“Well… yes… he is at the art gallery almost 24 hours a day, and he’s painting right now…”

Isabella nodded, but felt a little unsure.

Pickman seemed to have a significant connection to mystical forces. She wasn’t entirely sure if introducing them to Pickman would offend this artist with mystical attainments.

“Painting right now?”

Ciel slightly leaned forward, asking with interest, “Painting what? A nude model?”

“Yes…”

Isabella nodded and asked curiously, “How did you know?”

Ciel subconsciously wanted to ask for the model’s name, but quickly caught herself.

Isabella might still be under Mond’s drug control. If she were to directly ask for the model’s name now, the moment Isabella said the word Mond, it might be detected.

“I had a brief encounter with Pickman.”

Ciel smiled and nodded, saying, “I guess you could say I met him.”

Although she later blinded him.

“Mr. Pickman has a great charm,”

Isabella sighed, “Many noble young ladies come to him for commissioned paintings.”

“Is this model also a noble young lady?”

Ciel followed her words and asked, “You don’t have to say her name. It’s her privacy.”

“Uh… yes, a noble young lady from abroad.”

Isabella nodded.

“She often comes to see Pickman. Sometimes they talk until late at night. She really appreciates Pickman’s art.”

It’s Mond.

“Since you’re already here…”

Ciel looked at Isabella before her and slowly said:

“Why don’t you take us to see Mr. Pickman now…”