Chapter 63: Maria's Punishment

"Will the rest just be white?" Maria paused her brush to think briefly. She nodded firmly. "Yes." She wanted these eyes to be exactly as when they looked at her. She wanted to capture the kindness and strength she saw in them. Her hulk's kindness and strength. Claude rubbed his chin. His brows fell into deep thought. "I'm eager to see the finished product." Maria swung around with hopeful eyes. "You are?!" The art critic smiled. "I've never come across such an art piece. Like you say, this is your shape. I'm curious to see what that shape is." The student turned back to her work, more determined than ever to show this master her brilliant concept. The panther slid away quietly. He made rounds throwing criticisms like he was tipping a hotel staff - blasé and indifferent. He had a knack for delivering criticisms that would make a student crestfallen and cower in shame. Students with razor-sharp tongues got it worse. He woul