Asher was a top student at the art academy, and I was Ms. Bennett, a few years ahead of him, with some renown in the industry.

Knowing he had always admired my work, I found an opportunity to visit the school in person.

That day, as soon as I stepped into the classroom, my eyes immediately landed on Asher.

Even in a crowd, he stood out.

The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up.

He hadn’t realized that the woman he had casually helped that day was actually the artist he idolized.

Later, I pulled him aside and said, “Asher, I’d like you to help me paint a portrait.”

Asher was taken aback with excitement, “Ms. Bennett, can I really?”

I nodded, smiling slightly. “Dr. Johnson says you have the most talent, and I want to see if your work is as good as they say.”

He was indeed talented, or else Jasmine wouldn’t have invested so much in his education.

I also hinted that I wanted to mentor him, and Asher was smart enough to understand what I meant.

He agreed without hesitation.

On Saturday, he came to my studio as promised.

The young man wore light-colored casual clothes, tall and handsome, and the moment he saw me, his entire face lit up.

“Close the door,” I reminded him, then pulled off the shawl I was wearing.

Instantly, the graceful curves of my body were revealed.

Today, I was wearing a black spaghetti-strap dress, exposing a large area of skin. Under the studio lights, I seemed to glow.

At some point, the sound behind me had completely disappeared.

I turned around and saw Asher standing frozen, staring at me without blinking.

“Asher?” I called his name softly.

He snapped out of it, his cheeks turning slightly red as he stammered, “Grace, you’re so beautiful.”

“Thank you.” I graciously accepted his compliment and then sat down on the single sofa. “Is it alright if I sit here?”

Asher nodded, sitting down in front of the easel, his gaze now laced with a faint haze.

He picked up the paintbrush several times, only to put it down again, his brows furrowed in frustration.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.