Chapter 52: Who Gave You Face
John arrived at the coffee shop at the appointed time, eager to meet the renowned international art master. The café exuded a high-class atmosphere, but after sitting and waiting for nearly half an hour, he began to lose patience.
How dare she stand me up?
He stood up, preparing to leave, when suddenly, the door swung open. Shelly entered—tall, poised, and unmistakably the woman from the video. However, there was a noticeable shift in her demeanor. She looked a bit displeased, perhaps from her experience outside.
Earlier, she had noticed a Bugatti parked outside and wondered if it was John's. But now, upon seeing him in person, she dismissed the idea. Which rich man would dress so casually?
With her experience and sharp eye, Shelly quickly surmised that John's outfit couldn't have cost more than $300, and the car outside, no matter how impressive, surely wasn't his.
John, unimpressed by her delay, greeted her bluntly. "You're late."
"Straightforward, huh?" Shelly shot him a sharp look. "It's normal for girls to take their time getting ready. You've only been waiting half an hour—consider yourself lucky."
Despite her irritation, she played the role of the reserved, slightly aloof woman, sitting down and preparing to go through the motions of the meeting.
"Since you're here, I'll give you a chance," she said, crossing her arms. "Let's hear about your conditions."
John frowned. "Conditions? What are you talking about?"
Shelly gave him a bemused look. "How big is your house? What car do you drive? What's your salary?"