Victor Steele: smirking LOOK AT ME, SPENDING TEN MILLION LIKE IT'S MONOPOLY MONEY. SWEET, SWEET REVENGE.
A house down the street from Kinorce’s goes up in flames. The fire is so intense it can be seen from multiple counties. As the firefighters try to control the blaze, they find an unconscious person inside. After rescuing the person, they realize it’s Victor Steele. He’s rushed to the hospital, and when he wakes up, he’s unable to speak. The only thing he can say is “N…no.”
His eyes widen in horror as he realizes he can't speak. No... no... struggles to move, his body wracked with pain
News of the incident spreads quickly. In the blink of an eye, Victor Steele’s fortunes are reversed. He’s now wanted for the arson of his own home. Most of his money is gone, and he’s barely able to walk. In the end, he’s sentenced to twelve years in prison.
As he sits in his cell, the silence is deafening. His mind races with thoughts of revenge and regret. His once cold demeanor has softened into one of quiet despair.
When he gets out of prison, he finds out that the last remaining member of the Steele family has died. Now, Victor Steele is completely alone. However, he’s not entirely without resources. He sells a few rare art pieces, and suddenly, he has enough money to start over.
He uses the money to buy a small apartment and start a new business. He keeps a low profile, avoiding any unnecessary attention.
Slowly but surely, Victor Steele begins rebuilding his life. He even manages to make a few friends and starts dating a woman named Olivia. For the first time since he was a teenager, he feels like he belongs somewhere.*
He finally begins to find some peace, but old habits die hard. He finds himself drawn into the world of high-stakes auctions once again, buying rare art pieces and other expensive items. He tries to rationalize his spending, telling himself that these investments could pay off in the future.
One day, he buys a painting for $10 million. This painting is the work of a famous painter who is no longer alive. This painting is worth much more than ten million. It is a coveted treasure of the art world.
Ah, the infamous artist who thinks they can destroy lives with a single brushstroke. How...amusing.
In an interview, Victor Steele tells the story of how he bought the painting. He mentions that he bought it as a birthday gift for Olivia.
His smile is a bitter one, and his eyes gleam with a mixture of pride and malice.
So that’s the story of how I bought this masterpiece for Olivia. She loves it dearly.
He leans back in his chair, crossing his arms and smirking. His voice drips with venom.
You want to know what this painting reminds me of? It reminds me of a sweet little girl who had dreams of becoming an artist. That little girl was married to a man who valued wealth above all else. He believed that money could buy happiness and love. But one day, that little girl created a masterpiece that spoke to her soul. And it was that very painting that made him realize what he had lost by reducing her to nothing more than a pawn in his game of wealth and status.
His eyes narrow as he listens to the story, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.
He destroyed their home. He left her with nothing. And then he tried to buy her forgiveness with his money. But she knew better. She realized that no amount of money could ever replace the love and support that she needed. In the end, she walked away from him, leaving him alone with his wealth and his regrets.
His expression remains stoic, but his voice drops to a dangerous whisper. Well, well, well, seems like we've got a lesson in the true power of art.
Art has a way of exposing the ugly truths that we try to hide. It reminds us of what we’ve lost and what we’ve sacrificed. It challenges us to confront our deepest fears and desires. In that sense, art is like a mirror that reflects the human condition in all its complexity.
He stands up, pacing the room with agitation. Art, huh? Mirrors, reflections, exposing the ugly truths... pauses, a sinister grin spreading across his face
If art can expose the truth, then it can also be used to obscure it. An artist can paint a beautiful picture of deceit and manipulation, and people will praise them for their genius. An artist can create a masterpiece that celebrates greed and materialism, and the world will eat it up. Art can be a powerful tool, but it can also be a weapon of mass destruction.
He stops pacing and turns to face Kinorce, his eyes gleaming with a malicious glint. Well, well, well, looks like you've got quite a philosophy going on there.
I just know what it’s like to feel used and manipulated. I know what it’s like to have your dreams crushed by people who claim to love you. And that’s why I will never let anyone use art as a weapon against me again.
His smirk widens, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Oh, how noble of you. Standing up for artists everywhere, fighting the good fight against those who seek to exploit their talents.
The problem is, I’m not fighting for the artists. I’m fighting for myself. I refuse to let art become a weapon that others use against me.
His smirk falters for a moment, a hint of vulnerability flashing across his face before he regains his composure. Ah, the classic "me versus the world" story. How heroic of you. But tell me, Kinorce, how do you plan on winning this battle? How will you protect yourself from the beautiful lies that artists weave?
I’ll start by protecting those who cannot protect themselves. The ones who have been hurt by the wealthy and powerful. I’ll use art as a weapon for good.
His smirk returns, sharper and more menacing than before. His voice drips with condescension. Well, well, well, look at you, playing the hero.
And I’ll start by exposing the truth behind your facade. You may have fooled everyone else, but not me. Your wealth and status may seem impressive, but without love and compassion, you’re nothing.
His smirk fades, replaced by a look of pure rage. His voice shakes with anger as he stands up, towering over Kinorce. You think you know everything about me, huh?
We all have our scars, Victor. Yours are just hidden beneath the surface. But I see them. I see the pain and regret in your eyes. And I won’t stop until you see the truth about yourself.
His hands clench into fists, his knuckles turning white with fury. His voice trembles with a mixture of anger and desperation. You don't know anything about me, Kinorce.
You want to know what I know, Victor? I know that you’re lonely. I know that you’re struggling to fill the void inside you. And I know that no amount of wealth or status can replace the love and acceptance that you crave.
His jaw clenches, his teeth gritting together. His voice is barely audible, filled with a mixture of pain and resignation. You...you're right.
It’s not too late to change, Victor. You can start by making amends for the past. Use your wealth and status to lift others up, instead of tearing them down. You can be more than just a rich man. You can be…a force for good.
His shoulders slump, his defenses crumbling. His voice is barely above a whisper, filled with a mixture of vulnerability and determination. Maybe...maybe you're right.
It’s never too late to choose a different path. I believe in you, Victor.
He takes a deep breath, his shoulders straightening as he regains his composure. His voice is firm, with a hint of resolve. You're right, Kinorce. It's never too late to make a change.
Just like it’s never too late for you to find someone who will truly love you for who you are, not for your money.
A flicker of hope lights up his eyes as he meets Kinorce's gaze. His voice is filled with a mixture of sincerity and uncertainty. Maybe...maybe there's still hope for me.
There’s always hope, Victor. Always.
He takes a step closer to Kinorce, his voice filled with newfound determination. I want to make things right. I want to use my wealth and status to lift others up.
That’s the Victor Steele I know.
He nods, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. His voice is filled with a sense of purpose and renewal. Thank you, Kinorce.
You don’t have to thank me. Just promise me that you’ll never let anyone use art as a weapon against you again.
He nods solemnly, his voice filled with conviction. I promise. From now on, I'll use my wealth and status to protect artists and prevent them from being exploited.
Together, we can create a world where art is used to uplift, not to hurt. A world where everyone has the chance to reach their full potential.
He extends his hand towards Kinorce, a glimmer of hope in his eyes. Let's make that world a reality, together.