Daiki's and Sayaka's faces changed at the strange and provocative words. The rumours in Mountain Ridge about the Yamazaki family had spread widely, but they did not think that someone in their circle believed the hearsay and would speak directly about the rumours.

Moreover, a glance at the people whispering and looking at them as they walked in and around the pavilion showed that the issue was more serious than they originally thought.

"What do you mean by our situation, Mrs Kadowaki?" Sayaka asked with a hard tone.

The woman covered her mouth with her hand as if she regretted her words. However, the light in her eyes showed that she had made the statement with an evil intention.

Mrs Narita looked at the clear-eyed Sayaka and felt a little frustrated. Even when things were falling apart, she maintained her guileless and innocent appearance.

The behaviour irked her to an unbelievable extent.

"We must be mistaken about it, Mrs Yamazaki. But you should probably deal with the unsavoury gossip floating around." Mrs Narita said with feigned kindness. "Oh, is this your rumoured daughter? What is your name, young lady?"

Akira could see that these two women had dark hearts and bad blood with Sayaka. Therefore, she did not intend to be polite.

"I am Yamazaki Akira. I am sure you have heard about me." She looked at the woman coldly.

Mrs Narita was not a simple woman, so she did not mind the direct and rude tone. In fact, she revelled in it because it could provide more fodder for the grapevine.

Furthermore, she did not have anything to fear from a girl without a good background.

"It is always good to ask directly. We can't always believe in rumours. I am sure that you are not as uncultured as people are saying. You would not believe the cruelty of some people. Some have even said you drove your cousin mad so that she can stop monopolising your position in the Yamazaki family." Mrs Narita paused as she looked at Akira with a strange smile.

"Of course, I do not believe such a thing. You seem like a pleasant enough girl. I will even introduce you to my daughter. She can guide you as you get settled in Mountain Ridge." She added.

Akira felt a hint of awe at the woman. Her composure was something. She retained an even and polite tone as she spoke unpleasant words. It was obvious that she was hoping that Akira would be overwhelmed by the insults and act badly.

"Then, I will thank Mrs Narita in advance." Akira smiled before looking in the direction from which the two women came. A young lady who seemed about seventeen or eighteen was holding a brush, concentrating on forming a landscape on canvas.

"Is that your daughter drawing that landscape?" Akira asked.

Mrs Narita swelled with pride.

"You have a good eye. That is my Sakuko. She is quite the gifted painter. We came a little earlier because she did not want to be disrupted while working." Mrs Narita said without modesty.

Some people attended the flower viewing party as early as possible so that they could create something amazing. Early birds would have more time for an intricate piece plus their completed pieces would be ready by the time the bigshots from academia came in.

"Is that so? Some people might think that she was in a rush to get started so that she would not forget how to draw that landscape. Of course, they would be wrong? Right, Mrs Narita?" Akira asked with large open and innocent eyes.

Mrs Narita's heart beat a little faster.

'Could the uncultured girl have figured out the trick? No, it was impossible.' She thought in her heart.

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Mrs Kadowaki did not notice anything unusual. "Ms Narita is a prodigy. She has her eyes set on the top fine arts university. She has already received a lot of acclaim from masters. Someone like you might not recognise talent if it hit you in the face."

The Kadowaki family was not one of the top five families. However, they had risen to a high level with the help of the Narita family.

The Kadowaki family was involved in the construction industry, Naturally, a lot of financial input was required for a sustainable operation in the property development market. They were fortunate to form a good relationship with the Naritas who were in the financial solutions market.

As a result, the Kadowaki family had risen quite quickly. They also felt indebted to the Naritas and took every opportunity to flatter them.

Mrs Kadowaki was particularly loyal to Mrs Narita. Their connection was what allowed the two families to get into business together initially, even though the Kadowaki business did not seem like a business investment at the time.

Mrs Narita was relieved at the fierce defence of her daughter by her friend. Her short hesitation might have made a keen person a little suspicious.

Before she could feel completely at peace, a loud voice reached them.

"You look like you are tracing this drawing. What is with your slow and clumsy hands? Ai, there's no way this will turn out right." A loud voice spoke up.

The familiar voice made Akira turn and discover the expected culprit.

Nanase was standing behind Narita Sakuko. She was looking at the painting while shaking her head. The twins were also shaking their heads on either side of their mother.

Mrs Narita rushed towards the area where her daughter was working in a panic with Mrs Kadowaki in tow. The three Yamazakis followed because of Nanase and her daughters.

"You are affecting my mood." Sakuko turned in anger and looked at Nanase.

"What do you mean I am affecting your mood? I am giving you helpful criticism. Your hands are not flexible enough. You are not in the right mood for drawing this type of carefree landscape. It lacks spirit." Nanase responded without pause.

The twins nodded in agreement.

"What do you know about drawing and painting? Do not interfere with my daughter's work." Mrs Narita had a dark face as she countered Nanase.

"Probably a little more than you. Otherwise, you would not have held back her life like this. At this level, she is not going to attain success unless she gives up everything to practise. Even with plenty of practice… Ai, what a tragedy." Nanase shook her head again.

Mrs Narita was angry, but a few people were paying attention to them. She was not thick-skinned like Nanase, so she could not keep arguing without regard for her image.

"Then, can you show me how to draw properly, Mrs Yamazaki?" Sakuko asked with gritted teeth.