Arrogant Professor Destroyed My Painting, But The World Celebrated Me! — Part 2

Previously: He ripped my art to shreds in front of everyone, calling it trash. But what happened next turned his humiliation into mine and launched my career into the stratosphere.

Unexpected Allies

The sudden entrance of Madame Vane, the esteemed chief curator of the Louvre, and Julian Croft, a senior director from Sotheby's, silenced the room completely. The only sound was the relentless drumming of rain against the glass and the distant rumble of thunder. Julian Croft, his voice commanding and authoritative, stepped forward, his presence radiating an undeniable power that dwarfed Armand's bluster.

"Step away from her, Dubois, before you face charges for grand destruction of cultural property!"

Armand’s smug sneer evaporated instantly, replaced by a look of stunned disbelief. He stumbled back, his carefully constructed composure crumbling. Madame Vane, her sharp aristocratic features set in a determined line, ignored him completely. She moved with a grace that belied the chaos, kneeling before me. Her eyes, kind yet discerning, met mine. She gently unfolded a document – an official museum acquisition certificate – and beside it, a certified cashier's draft on heavy parchment. The amount printed on it made my breath catch in my throat. It was a sum so astronomical, it felt like a dream.

Arrogant Professor Destroyed My Painting, But The World Celebrated Me!

"Miss Vance, the Louvre and Sotheby's consortium officially tenders ten million dollars for your entire private collection."

My eyes widened, a single tear tracing a path through the grime on my cheek. Ten million dollars. For *my* collection. The collection Armand had dismissed as amateur trash. A slow, triumphant smile began to bloom across my face, a stark contrast to Armand’s ashen pallor. Julian Croft then turned his attention back to the disgraced professor. He produced a folded document, tapping it against Armand’s satin lapel with chilling finality. The weight of it seemed to crush him.

"And as for you, Armand—your academic tenure, titles, and board seats are permanently revoked, effective midnight."

Armand’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently. His face drained of all color, a public spectacle of utter humiliation. While he stood there, broken, I felt a surge of vindication. But the night’s revelations were far from over. Madame Vane, sensing my lingering confusion and Armand’s deep-seated animosity, leaned closer, her voice dropping to a confidential whisper as she explained the true motive behind Armand’s destructive act.