When Tang Ruge saw Qiao Xi lower her head, her expression softened as she smiled gently. “Xi Xi, I think you should apologize to Senior Han Yin in person. After all, this is her painting. Senior Han Yin has to know about this. As long as you’re willing to admit your mistake, she won’t blame you.”

As long as Qiao Xi admitted in public that she had plagiarized Han Yin, she would never have the qualifications to be an artist again in her life. Moreover, she would be mocked by everyone. After this incident, even if that large family found Qiao Xi, they would absolutely not be willing to let her return to the family.

At this moment, Carter looked at Tang Ruge unhappily. The first time she saw this woman, she felt that her eyes were filled with schemes. As expected, this Miss Tang was quite scheming. She looked gentle on the surface, but she was the best at playing with people’s hearts.

She did not like such a scheming woman, so she stopped her. “Miss Tang, I don’t think Xi Xi needs to apologize.”

Tang Ruge was stunned for a few seconds. She did not expect that Carter would still protect Qiao Xi at this time!

“Madam Carter, Han Yin is a senior in the oil painting world. Shouldn’t Xi Xi apologize for stealing her painting? What kind of logic is this?” Tang Ruge retorted unwillingly.

Tang Ruge said righteously, “No matter how talented Xi Xi is, she’s just a newcomer. How can she disregard Senior Han Yin’s reputation? Not only did Xi Xi steal Senior Han Yin’s painting, but she also secretly brought it to the exhibition. She did such a thing, yet you’re still biased toward her. If news of this gets out, many painters will definitely be disappointed!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the surroundings were deathly silent. The corners of Qiao Xi’s mouth twitched.

Tang Ruge pretended to be troubled. “Actually, I can’t bear to see Xi Xi suffer, but a mistake is a mistake. She has to pay the price for her mistake. Unless she’s Han Yin, why won’t she apologize?”

“Miss Tang, don’t you understand what I’m saying? Xi Xi, you don’t have to apologize!” Carter’s voice was sharp and impatient.

Tang Ruge’s expression froze. She did not expect Carter to scold her in public for Qiao Xi.

Looking at Tang Ruge’s pale face, Carter sneered. “Miss Tang, you’re smarter than others. You should’ve already guessed the reason when I said that Xi Xi doesn’t have to apologize.”

What did that mean? Tang Ruge’s expression changed drastically, and everyone gasped.

At this moment, Tang Ruge felt as if she had been struck by lightning. Her body was stiff as she stood there. Her eyes were filled with shock and unwillingness. Her heart was beating violently as a bad feeling arose in her heart.

“No…”

Carter smiled spuriously. “You’re right. Qiao Xi is Han Yin! Is there a problem with me saying that she doesn’t have to apologize?”

Everyone was dumbstruck as they looked at Qiao Xi with shocked expressions.

She was Han Yin? The genius female painter who became a goddess in the painting world after her debut?

Tang Ruge instantly swallowed the words of retort. Her heart suddenly fell from the clouds to the mud. Such a huge difference made her almost faint.

Carter berated her unhappily, “Miss Tang, what exactly are your intentions here? Qiao Xi is participating in the exhibition with her own painting. You don’t know the situation, yet you insisted on saying that she stole the painting. What are your intentions?!

“Han Yin’s style is unique. Even old painters who have been in the industry for decades find it difficult to imitate her. Could it be that you don’t know about that? Even if Qiao Xi really stole the painting, what would be your role in this? Do you think the person in charge of the oil painting exhibition just carries a fake title?

“The international oil painting exhibition is an authoritative event. We had already verified Miss Qiao’s identity and confirmed that she’s Han Yin. That’s why we hung this painting here for display. I can understand if Mr. Jin Yan raised questions. After all, he has seen Han Yin’s sketch before. But who are you to question Miss Qiao? What right do you have?”

Tang Ruge shuddered. Her face was pale, and she gritted her teeth.

She would rather this be a dream, but everyone’s shocked gazes told her that all of this was true. Qiao Xi was Han Yin. Moreover, the person in charge and Carter had both stepped forward to testify for her without any doubts.

Earlier, she had actually said that the person she admired the most was Han Yin and she treated Han Yin as her lifelong goal. No wonder Qiao Xi’s face was filled with a mocking smile when she heard this.

It turned out that all of this was a joke in her eyes!

Tang Ruge felt as if she had fallen into an ice cave. She clenched her fists tightly. The intense pain made her stay awake and not do anything overboard.

What right did Qiao Xi have to become the famous painter in the oil painting world at the age of 20? What right did Qiao Xi have to be so perfect and surpass her in everything she did?