How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Patricia shot Sylvie a cold, mocking look. "Really think you're some kind of star, do you?"

Sylvie's face froze.

She just didn't get it.

Why was Patricia so determined to side with Elodie?

Sure, the venue belonged to Patricia, but they were the ones paying for today's event.

Selma, having regained her composure, faced the row of cameras now trained on her and took a steadying breath. "This is all just a misunderstanding, Miss Aldridge. I'm afraid you aren't aware of some old conflicts between Elodie and my family. I hope you won't let yourself be led astray."

Patricia gave a derisive laugh. "Let me ask you again: is 'Extinction' really your work?"

Selma met Elodie's icy gaze, then glanced at Patricia's half-amused, half- threatening smile. She had a bad feeling about this. She'd already admitted 'Extinction' was hers-there was no turning back now.

"What are you trying to say, Miss Aldridge?" Selma asked, her tone guarded. Sylvie's heart skipped a beat for no reason at all.

She instinctively glanced down at Jarrod, who sat calm and unflappable, his presence giving her a flicker of reassurance.

"That's right, Miss Aldridge, shouldn't there be more concrete evidence?" Grady chimed in, frowning. "After all, 'Extinction' is unsigned. You can't just take Elodie's word that it belonged to her mother."

But most of the artists present kept silent.

They could see it for themselves:

The brushwork in 'Extinction' and 'Delusion'-the difference in skill was like night and day.noveldrama

Selma...wasn't as simple as she appeared.

Meanwhile, several journalists caught every flicker of emotion on Selma's face, their senses keen for a scandal.

Maurice leaned toward Jarrod. "What's going on? Did Sylvie do something to get on Patricia's bad side?"

Jarrod just stared ahead, silent.

Patricia could tell what everyone was thinking.

She let out a cold laugh. "Evidence? Of course, I have it."

At that, another painting was carefully brought forward.

This time, everyone was extra cautious.

Elodie saw it first, surprise flickering in her eyes as she glanced at Patricia.

Patricia had somehow borrowed the upper half of her mother's painting from the

Fairview University School of Art's private collection.

When Selma saw it, the color drained from her face.

She clutched her chest and staggered back a step.

She knew, in that instant, there was no way out.

"Dwelling' and 'Extinction' are two parts of a whole," Patricia

1.n

announced, sweeping her gaze over the audience. "Separately, they might seem different. But together, you can see the genius at work-the

way the lines, the colors, the hidden patterns connect. It takes both to understand the full meaning. You're all experts here. Don't tell me you can't see these were painted by the same hand?"

There were dozens at this panel-guests, journalists, and art world insiders.

It was obvious.

The crowd surged forward for a closer look.

The moment 'Dwelling' and 'Extinction' were placed side by side, a ripple of shock

went through the room.

The craftsmanship was undeniable.

Compared to 'Delusion' hanging nearby...

The difference was glaring.

A barrage of disbelieving eyes focused on Selma.

"Miss Selma, how do you explain this? Are you really a plagiarist?"

"You even tried to pass off Ms. Winifred's work as your own? That's shameless!"

"Look at the exhibition-every painting here is a pale imitation of these two. Have you spent your entire career copying Ms. Thorne?"

Each word hit like a knife.

Scorn, mockery, disgust—all of it crashed over Selma in waves.

She looked pale, barely able to stand.

Even Sylvie's composure cracked—a rare sight.

Once, she'd only had to deal with minor embarrassment, but now, all her honors were being ripped away.

She'd become a pariah.

A cold anger flared in her eyes as she turned to look for Jarrod in the audience.

At last, Jarrod tilted his head slightly, gaze shifting to Elodie. His voice was low and knowing. "You came here today with no preparation at all? Planning to accuse people with nothing to back you up?"

Elodie gave a short, cold laugh. She'd almost forgotten.

She motioned to Esmeralda Mercer, who brought out a portfolio containing the series of paintings Jarrod had photographed abroad Elodie's eyes were icy as she spoke, "As it happens, I have with me a series of works my mother, Winifred, painted after 'Dwelling' and

'Extinction.' Back when Miss Selma

accused her of plagiarizing

'Delusion,' the truth was already

obvious. Everyone can see it

now-Miss Selma not only stole

these works, she slandered others to cover her tracks. A tumor like this

has no place in the art world."