Qiao Xi was the first to break the silence and sneered.

“Miss Tang, we’re talking about this rose, not the rose garden. Why are you so nervous?

“You’re guilty! Could it be that you didn’t paint the rose garden?”

Tang Ruge’s face was ferocious, and her eyes were filled with fear. Her forehead was covered in sweat as she stared fixedly at the rose. Her blood seemed to have frozen.

“Q-Qiao Xi, don’t spout nonsense. I-I’m not guilty…” Tang Ruge stammered, making everyone even more suspicious.

Madam Tang was still relatively calm. Her eyes turned cold. “Miss Qiao, you need to have evidence when you speak! Our Tang family is a scholarly family. Ruge has received the best education since she was young. She’s a top socialite in the capital. How could she steal someone else’s painting?”

Qiao Xi was not in a rush to retort. Instead, she found a comfortable seat and sat down. She lazily leaned against the back of the chair and narrowed her eyes in satisfaction.

Tang Lingyun was instantly infuriated. “Everyone is standing, yet you still have the cheek to sit down? You’re really uneducated!”

To Qiao Xi, Tang Lingyun was a stupid pig who was being used by others. She could not even be bothered to argue with Tang Lingyun. Her cold gaze landed on Tang Ruge as she slowly said, “Which rose in the rose garden did you draw?”

The commotion here attracted everyone’s attention. Although they did not know what was going on, they heard Qiao Xi’s question.

At that time, Qiao Xi had created this painting in Li City University’s art studio. It was winter now, so there were no roses at all. However, every summer, one could see the rose garden through the windows of the art studio. Qiao Xi had improvised this painting based on her own imagination. Moreover, she was afraid that this painting would be too monotonous, so she added a couple in love in the painting.

Everyone knew that this painting was completed by two people. It had only been less than a month, so Tang Ruge must still remember which rose she drew.

Under everyone’s gazes, Tang Ruge could not help but tremble. She almost stopped breathing. How could someone like her, who did not know anything about paintings, tell the difference between these roses?

Which rose was it?

There were so many roses in the rose garden, and they all looked similar. How did she know which one she had drawn?

However, she had to say it in the current situation. After hesitating for a moment, she reached out and pointed at one of the bright roses. This rose was in the middle, and it was the most outstanding and eye-catching.

The corners of Qiao Xi’s mouth could not help but curl up. Tang Ruge really knew how to choose. She hit the nail on the head.

Tang Ruge looked at everyone’s gazes, and her body gradually stiffened. Her throat seemed to be stuffed with cotton. Her mind was blank, and she wished she could faint immediately.

A few old painters who had decades of experience in painting had burning eyes. They could all tell that this rose garden was not painted by one person. The rose in the middle was clearly painted by a man. The force was stronger and the strokes were decisive. Most of the other roses were drawn by a woman. The couple was in a passionate relationship.

Now, Tang Ruge actually said that the rose in the middle was drawn by her?

“Miss Tang.” Just as Tang Ruge was feeling uneasy, Qiao Xi said mockingly, “Unfortunately, you guessed wrong. So, did you really paint this?”

Tang Ruge’s body went soft, and she almost fell. Fortunately, Madam Tang, who was at the side, was supporting her. Hence, Tang Ruge did not make a fool of herself in public. However, at this moment, the seniors who were originally full of admiration for her were all full of disdain.

Tang Ruge’s lips turned pale, and her eyes gradually became empty.

It was over! Everything was over. She had invited so many friends and relatives. There were also the painters Qi Zhong had invited. They had all seen her make a fool of herself.

If she had known that today’s incident would happen, she would not have admitted that this painting was hers. She would not have lost her dignity in public. At this moment, she wished she could find a hole to hide in.

“So, Tang Ruge stole Miss Qiao’s painting and used it to become Mr. Qi Zhong’s disciple?”

“What kind of awful family is this?! She’s a shameless thief!”

“You stole someone else’s painting and even ran in front of them to show off. I’ve never seen such a disgusting person!”

Madam Tang was originally defending her daughter, but when she heard everyone’s curses and accusations, her face turned red with shame.

“No… Let me explain…” Tang Ruge’s throat was dry as she spat out a few words with difficulty. She thought crazily about how to explain the situation, but she could not find a perfect reason.

“Actually… Actually, this painting is…”