Chapter 93 The Value of Her Hands Lauren stood there , dazed , utterly unable to comprehend how he knew .
Felix tilted his chin at her , a subtle gesture , yet one filled with unmistakable meaning.
Lauren hesitated , then slowly lowered her head .
Her gaze landed on the chest of the jacket draped over her shoulders .
There bloomed a single peony , embroidered with meticulous craftsmanship .
Its petals overlapped in layer upon delicate layer , the staches so fine , the shading so vivid , it seemed almost alive .
Wasnt this my work ? Laurens head snapped up , eyes wide in disbelief as she stared at Felix .
Their gazes locked .
Neither spoke , but in that silence , everything was understood .
The peony is well done .
As Felix spoke , he retrieved his phone , opened his photo album , and handed it to her .
This piece is exquisite , he continued .
A masterpiece of Swish embroidery .
Pity the embroiderer never finished it .
If you can complete it , well call it your gratitude to me .
On the screen was a photo of an unfinished embroidery titled Queen of Blooms .
The peonies in the design were breathtakingly vivid , each petal painstakingly stitched with delicate precision .
The silk threads gleamed subtly , their colors expertly blended .
Every stitch seemed to breathe life into the fabric .
The blossoms overlapped gracefully , petals saturated with color that faded gently from the center , each stitch at the edges nearly invisible , seamless in transition .
Even the veins of the leaves were embroidered with such intricate realism they seemed ready to tremble in a passing breeze .
The entire piece radiated an air of elegance and majesty , the perfect representation of a peonys noble beauty .
Every part of it was flawless , except that it was unfinished .
Laurens pupils shrank .
Wasnt this the embroidery I had worked on in prison ? She had never finished it because she had been released before she could complete those final stitches .
But how had something I left behind ended up in his hands ? Sir , where did you get this piece ? Lauren asked .
Felix glanced at her .
I bought it at an auction .
An auction ? My embroidery had been sold at auction ? Back in prison , the guards often praised Laurens needlework .
But she never thought it was particularly exceptional .
She thought she was just better than the others around her .
She never imagined her work was good enough to be auctioned .
Her fingers tightened unconsciously around Felixs phone , and her voice quivered .
Forgive me for asking .
1/3 Chapter 93 The Value of Her Hands Finished Felix noticed the faint tremor in her voice .
He studied her for a moment , then answered , 2.8 million dollars .
In fact , Queen of Blooms was worth more than that .
Far more than Pine and Crane , which had fetched 4.2 million at auction .
But Queen of Blooms was incomplete .
Even if only a few stitches were missing , its value had been greatly diminished .
After all , if another embroiderer were to finish it , it would no longer be a singular creation , and even the smallest difference in echnique could be detected by discerning eyes .
The peony on Felixs coat shared an almost identical needlework technique to the unfinished masterpiece .
If Lauren completed the piece herself , the difference would be imperceptible .
That was what Felix believed .
2.8 million dollars ? My embroidery had sold for 2.8 million dollars ? A tidal wave of shock crashed over Lauren again and again until she could hardly breathe .
Her eyes widened , the figure of 2.8 million dollars echoing in her mind like a thunderclap , shattering everything she thought she knew about her skill .
Her hand trembled .
Without meaning to , her finger swiped across the phone screen .
The photo changed .
Another piece appeared .
It was Pines and Cranes .
The cranes in the embroidery were exquisitely lifelike , their feathers soft and light , as if they might take flight with the faintest breeze .
The pine branches were detailed and textured , their trunks gnarled and strong .
Every line , every shade , spoke of the embroiderers unmatched mastery .
Lauren felt another jolt of shock .
This piece was hers as well ! Felix spoke again calmly, I purchased Pines and Cranes last year for 4.2 million dollars as a birthday gift for my grandmother .
She loved it .
Thats why I made sure to acquire another piece by the same embroiderer this year .
4.2 million dollars .
The number hit Lauren like a hammer .
She stood frozen , her eyes so wide they seemed about to fall from their sockets .
Her mouth parted , as if to speak , but no words came out .
The shock had wedged itself in her throat .
2.8 million .
4.2 million .
These were numbers she had never dared to imagine .
Yet they were the prices her embroidery had sold for .
No wonder back in prison , no matter how badly the other inmates beat her , they never laid a hand on her fingers .
No wonder the guards always stood watch when she worked on her embroidery , protecting her like she was some priceless treasure .
Her hands were worth more than she ever realized .
After the shock faded , an overwhelming sadness rose up in Laurens chest .
If she had only known how valuable her work was , why had she allowed herself to endure so much humiliation at the Bennett family just for a mere 1.4 million dollars ? The grievances of her past surged within her like a tide the could no longer hold back .
Her eyes reddened , glistening with unshed tears .
She bit her lip hard , struggling to suppress the storm of emotions crashing through her .