My older sister is a villainous rich girl

Modric had somehow followed them out.

He reached out and grabbed Wayne's sleeve, his resentful gaze as if he were looking at a heartless and unfaithful patron.

"Hey... if you don't let go, I'm going to take forceful measures." Wayne's face darkened.

"I've heard that the most profitable business is the business of people!"

Modric said this.

Standing in a well-lit area, I realized that although his clothes were clean, they were obviously very old, and the original bright colors had faded and turned white from washing.

"Believe me, this deal will definitely be the most profitable investment the Wincher family has ever made!"

Oh... do you mean you also want to participate in human trafficking?

After his series of explanations, Wayne finally understood what he was really up to.

It seems he's unwilling to leave the capital in such a humiliating way, and wants to try again with the help of the Wenche family.

Looking him over, Wayne said expressionlessly, "So, what can you offer us?"

The group stood at the door and began conducting interviews right there on the spot.

"The venue, and my talent," Modric said confidently. "To be honest, I am actually a hidden gem of a painter!"

Self-promotion is acceptable, isn't it?

If he's truly a talented individual, recruiting him wouldn't be a problem.

Modric is, after all, a viscount, and even though he comes from the provinces, he has no roots in the royal court. But that's not a problem; the Winchester family's roots are vast and deep.

By using the Wenche family's connections, we can find him a position in the capital, and then he'll have a foothold.

However, all of this must be based on the premise that this person truly possesses genuine talent and learning.

"So, your masterpiece?" Wayne asked skeptically.

When his paintings were mentioned, Modric became reserved: "Please come inside with me to take a look."

The group exchanged glances and followed him back into the dimly lit room.

Modric led everyone into the back room through another passage, his previous lazy expression completely gone. He was extremely cooperative, even to the point of being obsequious.

"All my paintings are stored in the back warehouse."

Walking out from the other side, I discovered that there was a very large open space in the backyard.

"When I first came to the capital, I was tricked into buying this land at a very high price because I was unfamiliar with the place and the people there."

He recounted those painful memories.

"At that time, I didn't think it was a big deal."

"After all, money can be earned back once it's spent. I thought my paintings would soon become famous and highly sought after, making me a guest of honor among many nobles in the capital."

As it turned out, reality did not go as planned.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have ended up like this.

"Mr. Modric, haven't you considered joining the Artists' Guild?"

In order to standardize the management of various industries, the kingdom allows various sectors of society to establish industry exchange associations after official registration.

Generally speaking, these organizations tend to have many industry leaders and provide a platform for all association members to exchange ideas. Joining a well-funded association can be a good option for newcomers to the field.

The most influential Royal Painters Association is an official association established by the Royal Family of Saint Loens, at the same level as the Royal Playwrights Association.

As far as Wayne knew, the Kingdom's Artists Association often produced catalogs for new painters, introducing them to the various nobles in the aristocratic circle.

If their paintings were appreciated, they could be lucky enough to receive long-term patronage from a high-ranking nobleman, allowing them to focus on creation and not engage in production.

Chris alone has sponsored many painters in the name of the Wincher family.

In aristocratic circles, similar forms of patronage take many forms. Whether it's a playwright, a painter, or a pianist, anyone who can be appreciated has a chance.

In contrast, whenever artists who were struggling temporarily became famous, they would often reward them with fame by spreading the name of the nobleman who sponsored them even more widely.

However, only a very small minority can receive funding; the vast majority remain unknown and unnoticed.

Modric let out a long sigh.

"I had already joined."

"However, on the very first day, I clashed with the president of the Kingdom's Painters Association and ridiculed him."

"So, I was expelled. Because of this, the other artists' associations were unwilling to take me in either."

As he spoke, a look of melancholy appeared in his eyes.

"..."

Wayne was at a loss for words.

No wonder they'd rather give it away for free than give up their leg to cling to the Winchester family.

Chapter 196 His Paintings

Since the aristocratic circle is a circle, it naturally possesses the inherent closed nature of any circle.

Without an insider's help to introduce you, outsiders can't get in no matter how hard they try.

This was especially true in the capital.

Forming cliques, excluding, suppressing... these are all essential social skills that those guys have been honing since elementary school.

The closer one gets to the upper nobility, the more severe this phenomenon becomes; even commoners are not immune.

Those "subordinates" gained a more superior status than others in the same class because of their close relationship with "superiors".

Such a "status" cannot be demonstrated without using such means.

Seeing Modric's expectant expression, Wayne turned his gaze away speechlessly.

"To ask a question that may be a little presumptuous, what is Mr. Modric's level of magic?"

If things are still manageable, wouldn't it be more enjoyable to make a living with magic than to be an artist?

Magicians in the kingdom generally either take up positions in major magic academies or join the military or other government agencies to enjoy special allowances.

Regardless of the profession, the salary is not low.

Upon hearing this, Modric's eyebrows furrowed immediately, revealing a hint of bitterness.

"Back when I was studying at the magic academy in my hometown, I always barely passed the individual projects in practical classes."

...So it seems she's only slightly better than Chris, and about on par with Gavin.

“That’s my storage warehouse,” Modric gestured. “This is my painting studio.”

"The warehouse is too messy. I just finished a painting recently, so please come to my workshop to take a look."

He led the group through a long corridor into another room.

The interior was also quite empty, with only a few empty easels on one side and a simple wooden table on the other.

As soon as he stepped inside, Wayne's gaze was drawn to the painting lying horizontally on the wooden table.

A beam of brilliant light shone into the dimly lit room, illuminating a skull placed on a wooden chair.

The skull was propped up by a thick red book, its empty eyes seemingly dancing with golden flames, and its pale bones gave the illusion of being smooth as pebbles.

Above the skull's head hangs a golden halo.

In the image, only the wooden chair is brightly lit. The stark contrast between light and shadow even gives the illusion that the skull is trying to escape from the frame, following the direction of the light.

Wayne pondered for a moment and said, "What do you mean by drawing a halo on it?"

Influenced by Chris, he would sometimes accompany her to view paintings and gain some understanding of the metaphors in them.

Currently, the prevailing art styles in the capital are various religious paintings or realistic portraits, while "halo" has a specific religious meaning—specifically referring to [divinity].

The appearance of this skull is quite significant.

Modric simply smiled. "What does Mr. Wayne Wincher think of this painting?"

“Although I don’t know much about the technical aspects, it can be considered an excellent work in terms of technique,” ​​Wayne said. “However, if it is published, it may cause a lot of controversy.”

This might provoke strong protests from church members again.

From this perspective, it's clear that the Kingdom Artists Association and he were not on the same side at all, so it's not surprising that they expelled him directly.

After all, creating religious paintings for various churches and believers is a means of livelihood for many painters.

"I'm not afraid of controversy," Modric said casually. "Causing controversy is also a way to gain fame."

...Hmm, they really understand the secrets of traffic.

Wayne turned his head and asked Chris next to him.

"What do you think?"

This person is talented, but he may also bring attacks or even enemies to the Winchester family.

"Whatever you want," Chris said, seemingly indifferent.

"Don't be casual."

She might say she doesn't care, but she'll still get angry if you make a choice that doesn't suit her.

Wayne now understands these things all too well.

Ah, women.

He grabbed her hand and squeezed it, while Chris looked extremely annoyed.

“If Mr. Modric doesn’t want money, what would he like to offer in exchange?” She endured Wayne’s harassment and turned her gaze to the painting.

Finally getting to the point, Modric's eyes lit up.

He said slowly, "I've heard that the Wincher family is looking to recruit some painters, and I'd like to join them and oversee this project."

"You want to join without even knowing what these artists are for?" Wayne asked, puzzled.

What if it was used for sacrificial offerings to the heavens?

Modric laughed and said, "You have all met top painters at several art exhibitions, and Miss Chris's recent move to buy land has already attracted the attention of many interested parties."

"I think such a grand preparation is unlikely to be a small-scale operation," he said.

In terms of the true ambition behind establishing this publishing house, it certainly cannot be considered a small move.

"So, at that time, this land will be considered a gift from you to our family?" Chris asked.

Modric's expression flashed with a hint of pain, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "Yes."

He's giving it his all for his future.

“Let’s go back and discuss it further,” Chris said, not giving a definitive answer. “I’ll give you an answer within two days.”

……

When the drizzle stopped and a rainbow appeared in the sky, Wayne and Chris, who had been traveling for most of the day, finally returned home.

"So tired~" Chris threw her bag on the table and lay down again.

This has become her daily routine when she returns home—

It doesn't fit the image of a lady at all.

"Didn't you refuse to come back before? You went to one store after another."

Wayne carefully packed up the plans and other items he had brought back and handed them to Karen, asking her to put them back in Duke Elliott's study.

"We're already out, so of course we need to get this over with once and for all." Kicking off her slippers, Chris rolled around comfortably.

Even with Stephanie's explanations during the on-site inspection, the final decision still had to be made by her.

Which address do you think is better?

Recalling her recent experience, Chris was caught in a dilemma.

“If we’re talking about the most economical option, then Modric is the obvious choice.” Wayne unbuttoned his bow tie and a few buttons on his collar.

Knowing that relying solely on their artistic talent wasn't enough, they added land ownership to increase their competitiveness.

The Wincher family is not short of money, but the initial funding for this publishing house came entirely from Chris's personal savings, and they cannot afford to waste it.