1986: My Happy Life in Provence

Chapter 333 Special works require special methods

Ronan deeply understood the same feelings Zoe had yesterday.

Many collectors left the auction early so they could go to the central sculpture exhibition and talk to Ronan about what happened there.

Some of them said, "You're too lucky, kid. You better treat Zoe well from now on, or I'll never let you off the hook," and then turned and left.

Some told Ronan, "Zoe confessed her love to you right there!" But no matter how Ronan asked, the other person couldn't say a complete sentence and could only gesticulate wildly like a madman.

Ronan was extremely anxious.

What happened inside?
He guessed Zoe might have said something like a 'love declaration' inside, but you better explain it to me clearly!

However, not everyone who comes to the auction is a storyteller.

In the short half hour from 3:30 to 4:00, Ronan saw three art consultants bringing collectors to see 'Lovebirds'. Two of the buyers were not French and spoke a language that Ronan could not understand.

These people also came out of the auction early. There were no artworks that interested them later, so they decided to come out and see something new.

Buyers accompanied by art consultants are not ordinary people.

This made Ronan even more curious.

"What exactly did Zoe say at the auction?"

Zoe let Ronan wait for her at the central sculpture exhibition.

Ronan had been eagerly awaiting her daughter's arrival, and finally, she did.

But there was another person with Zoe, a very young girl who clearly came from an unusual background, and behind her were four bodyguards in black suits.

"I know it's impolite to ask such a talented artist like you to create a custom piece. But I really love your style!"

The auction was over, but Patricia followed Zoe all the way to the central sculpture exhibition.

Zoe is so charming that Patricia can't help but want to talk to her endlessly. Besides, she came to Gold with a purpose—she hopes that Zoe can commission another animal artwork for her.

Patricia used her Provençal buyer privilege to bid on today's piece, bringing Zoe immense attention and popularity; Zoe shouldn't have refused her.

But when Zoe learned that Patricia's father was Thuram, she was truly terrified.

That mermaid order tormented her for nearly a month.

How could lovely Miss Patricia have such a tormenting father?
“Thank you for your appreciation, but I can’t guarantee that I can finish the work before June.” Zoe grabbed Ronan’s hand as he walked towards her, as if grasping at a straw, and said apologetically to Patricia, “Because I’m going to start preparing for my wedding with Ronan next month.”

"Oh!" Patricia gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. "Are you getting married? I'll send you a gift!"

Ronan looked at Zoe with a questioning gaze.

Zoe introduced him to the following:
"This is Miss Patricia, Mr. Thuram's youngest daughter. She just bought my work at the auction."

Ronan immediately understood the situation.

Zoe had complained to him that Mr. Thuram had contacted her through the Grané Museum, hoping to commission a piece with an animal theme.

Zoe refused without even thinking.

She's not the unknown person she used to be anymore. Let whoever wants to suffer this kind of hardship suffer; she doesn't want to suffer like this anymore!

Ronan and Zoe, as if on cue, added fuel to the fire, saying:
“Hello, Miss Patricia. Zoe will be very busy in the next few months. We are renovating the house, you know how important the lady of the house is to the wedding home. Every corner needs to be planned by her.”

Patricia nodded and said understandingly:

“I understand. My mom said that in the year before she married my dad, all she did every day except eat and sleep was think about the wedding. She didn’t have to worry about decorating the house, but she had to think about how to give hundreds of guests a memorable wedding. Zoe’s time is really precious this year.”

Despite her outwardly strong demeanor, she was extremely frustrated inside.

This piece was a gift she intended to give to a friend.

As for the gifts she kept, she only cared whether she liked them or not. Even though her coming-of-age gift last year only cost 300 francs, in Patricia's heart, that mermaid was more precious than 3 million francs.

But when giving gifts to others, you have to consider many practical things.

Zoe has popularity, prestige, and talent, and her work style is also to Zoe's liking, so asking her to customize a gift is the most suitable.

Other artists are either not to her liking for their style, or they're not qualified. What can she do?

"Alright, I'll think of another way. I won't bother you any longer today." Patricia politely lifted her skirt to say goodbye.

Art is ingrained in the blood of Provençal people, and renowned artists are treated as well as stars at Cannes.

Patricia's father was a prominent local collector, and growing up surrounded by art instilled in her a deep passion for it.

Her attitude towards outstanding artists is no different from how fans treat celebrities.

There are so many things I want to say to Zoe, but I'm too nervous right now!

Patricia was speechless, especially when Zoe’s mesmerizing blue eyes looked at her.

But if she didn't say anything, she felt suffocated.

Finally, before leaving, Patricia mustered her courage and looked at Ronan, saying:
"Don't worry, I will protect her with you!"

"Huh?" Zoe and Ronan both exclaimed in surprise.

What do you mean?
What are we protecting?
But no one answered them; Patricia had already left under the escort of bodyguards. "What a lovely girl," Zoe said with a smile, watching Patricia's departing figure.

Perhaps I could take her order?

Just as she was thinking these things, Ronan appeared in her line of sight, blocking her view of Patricia:
What did you do at the auction today?

Zoe raised an eyebrow smugly:

"You're already in a hurry? I was in a hurry all day yesterday."

Ronan affectionately pinched her cheek:
"You, you did this on purpose, didn't you? You're so vengeful!"

Zoe brushed aside Ronan's hand and said with a smile:
"I didn't do anything. You whispered sweet nothings to me, and I just told the whole world what you said."

"you--"

Just as the two were about to disregard their surroundings and engage in some intimate behavior, Codia suddenly appeared behind them and said sharply:
"How many times have I told you? If you can't control yourself, go home, close the door, and do whatever you want. In the outside world, you are high-profile artists, so wake up!"

As a professional art dealer, how can you not protect the image of artists?
Zoe gave Cotillard a little face, but not much.

She leaned against Ronan and asked her:

"The transaction was completed so quickly?"

As soon as the auction ended, Zoe was entangled with Patricia, who was left by Cotillard to make the deal with the organizers.

Gotti arrogantly shook his head:
"Not only did I complete the transaction, but I also got several other things done."

"What is it?" Ronan asked, putting his arm around Zoe.

Codia became serious and said to Zoe:

"Seven people were bidding on Barty's work, and three new buyers have just joined, which shows that your performance at today's auction has attracted the attention of the collector market to Lourmarin."

Ronan looked at Zoe in his arms in surprise.

Zoe also promoted Lourmaran?

"Could you tell me in detail what happened at today's auction?" Ronan asked the two ladies.

Codia looked at him and sighed:

“I will definitely tell you, and I will tell you everything in detail. Because your bidding was the most intense! Zoe’s last two works only had 19 and 17 interested buyers respectively. Do you know how many interested buyers you have?”

Cotillard pointed to the 'lovebird' and said:

"You have 24 potential buyers. This is the number after the organizer has done one round of screening. The auction for 'Lovebirds' is still a few days away, and the organizer says that the final number of bidders may exceed 30!"

Zoe was initially excited, but then became serious and said to Cotillard:
"Tonight we'll explain the auction rules, procedures, and precautions to Ronan and Barty. Neither of them are native to Provence, so they might not understand the process if we don't explain it clearly."

While Cotillard and Zoe explained the auction process to Ronan and Batty Cole,

Professor Goldman and Curator Normand were also describing the afternoon's events to Aldé, who was absent from today's exciting auction and had taken the students to do other things.

“I can’t believe I missed such a great auction,” Aldair said, his face full of regret.

If we miss this opportunity, who knows when we'll ever see people shaking lavender stalks and shouting 'Aquò es miéu!' in Provençal dialect again!
Professor Goldman glanced at Normand, who had a bitter expression on his face:
"Maybe the next one will be in just a few days?"

Aldair put down his glass and asked expectantly:

"When? What work?"

Professor Goldman said with a smile:
Normand wants to take the "lovebird" to the Grané Museum.

Alder didn't seem particularly surprised.
“From the perspective of artistic diversity, it is indeed necessary to take action.”

“But I’m not alone in thinking this way.” Curator Normand let out a long sigh.

Normand also knew the number of bidders for the 'Lovebird'.

He believes that 30 is a conservative estimate, and that day might see the most brutal competition in the history of Provence auctions.

The ambitious Marecchall is also constantly adding to the project.

Professor Goldman said to Alder:

"He's worried that he can't compete with those conglomerates, and he's troubled by that."

Alder comforted Normand:

"Try to increase the budget a bit; it's not hopeless."

Normand said with great concern:
“Collection funds are very tight now, and it’s not easy to apply for them.”

Professor Goldman poured his old friend a glass of wine and said with considerable experience:
"If you know who the potential competitors are and have a good relationship with them, you can talk to them in advance, you know. It's very useful."

Aldair nodded:
"Special works can use special methods."

“Special means must be used, but making deals with competitors is far from enough,” Mr. Normand said earnestly to the two professors of the Royal Academy of Arts. “I need your help to obtain the ‘Lovebird.’ I’m afraid I will have to use some more special methods.”

(End of this chapter)