The Versatile Master Artist

Osborne’s smile grew wider as he listened.

”I may not be able to find the seller.”

He patted Schubert on the shoulder and said softly, ”But I can give you something better than an oil painting, a gold mine that never runs dry.”

”Gold mine?”

Schubert didn’t quite understand.

”You must have heard about the conflict between me and your Director Charlie, right?” Osborne lit a cigarette and took a leisurely puff. ”It’s about the ’Little Prince’ project group.”

”I’ve heard some rumors, but I didn’t know which specific project it was related to... Is it ’Little Prince’?”

Schubert felt his heart tighten again, somewhat reluctant to discuss the topic.

He was still completely in the dark about Vice President Osborne’s intentions.

However, Schubert truly did not know the specific details of the quarrel between Charlie and Osborne.

In any case,

such a major project had nothing to do with him, so what difference did it make whether he knew more or not, given his status as a loner?

”This painting is the sample submitted by the illustrator I selected. Director Charlie has said... the art department should block her during review.”

”Is this painting the sample for ’Little Prince’?”

Schubert glanced at the computer screen, a trace of astonishment flashing across his face.

With such superb control of the painting knife, he instinctively thought it was the work of one of the few renowned masters, not just an ordinary sample illustration draft.

This kind of exquisite color expression could be considered art, and he even felt that it was somewhat underutilized in the illustration field.

However,

intimidated by Director Charlie’s power, Schubert wouldn’t recklessly express his opinions.

”Ridiculous! Does he really think the art department is his personal domain?” Osborne said in a deep voice, ”This kind of excellent artist. He’s not even planning to approve her work; that’s negligence.”

Schubert pretended not to hear and lowered his head, unwilling to respond.

”I... can’t make the decision.”

He responded dryly.

Schubert recognized the undertone in Osborne’s voice, hinting at an alliance. Unfortunately, he simply didn’t have the courage to challenge the director’s authority.

”Of course you do, you’re the second-in-command of the entire art department. It’s just a small illustration, approving it in the internal system counts as nothing.” Osborne seemed completely unaware of Schubert’s reluctance, pressing him step by step.

Schubert said nothing, just shook his head.

He did have that authority, but doing so would be no different from instigating a rebellion.

Rebellion requires resources, and the entire art department was filled with Director Charlie’s people; Schubert didn’t think he could outmaneuver them.

He could still live like an invisible man now; the director just ignored him.

If the rebellion failed and he became a traitor,

even if he just wanted to quietly earn his basic salary and get through his days, it would be impossible.

If President Osborne supported him...

He slightly lifted his head to glance at Osborne, finding the other man staring inscrutably at him, prompting Schubert to quickly look away.

”It seems unlikely.”

Schubert quickly quelled the inappropriate thoughts in his mind.

Director Charlie had significant connections among high-end illustrators. Take his ”exclusive” high-end studio Villerein Studio, for example.

They had garnered countless illustration and visual advertising design awards.

Some illustration awards might be less significant, but an undeniable fact was that Villerein Studio’s work consistently maintained an excellent standard and almost never experienced a reader backlash.

This kind of stability was precious.

He had no people, no projects; even with a senior figure speaking for him on the board, he couldn’t make any waves.

Unless...

He had a better loyal painter.

”If you need projects, I’ll give you projects. If you need people, in the vast art department with hundreds of illustrator employees, surely some young folks are eager for opportunities. As for high-end illustrators, this Detective Cat isn’t inferior to Villerein Studio, right? For future collaborations, I’ll leave the Detective Cat line to you. As long as the work holds up without any mess, do more projects. Maybe we can’t drive Charlie out, but you’ll be better off than now.”

Osborne’s voice was tempting.

”Director Schubert, you’re fifty-five this year, aren’t you?”

”Fifty-three years old. I joined the company when I was twenty-three, making it exactly thirty years this year.”

”If you retire at sixty-three, you have ten years left. If you consider retiring at seventy-five, you have twenty-two years. With so much time left, do you plan to play darts in the office for twenty years?”

Schubert, frowning, stared at the illustration on the computer screen, his expression changing.

Seventy-five; only an art director with the soul of the group could work until that age.

Generally, a deputy director would retire at sixty plus.

The implication in Osborne’s words was obvious.

”If she could achieve this level in oil paintings, watercolors, or even gouache, I’d be willing to take the risk.” Schubert sighed.

Having laid it all out,

he felt more at ease.

Schubert helplessly shook his head and said, ”She might truly be a genius, but the painting knife painting is too limited. It’s not that I don’t believe in her; it’s just...”

”If her scope is limited, you can choose suitable projects for her. As long as she’s a genius, it’s enough. Our industry should be the first to believe that geniuses can work miracles, right?”

Osborne said in a deep voice, ”When Andy Warhol was kicked out by Vogue, no one believed in him. When the group first signed J.K. Rowling, the editorial department thought the market wouldn’t be interested in a childish adult fairy tale. When Lagerfeld arrived at Chanel, no one believed he could revive the near-bankrupt brand. Yet all these geniuses created tens of billions, even hundreds of billions of US dollars in economic benefits.”