How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Selma's face grew even paler. Her lips parted, but she could barely form a sound.

She was stunned-how could she have known Elodie had managed to recover the entire series of paintings, and in the process, cleared Winifred's name from that old "plagiarism" scandal?

Even Sylvie hadn't seen this coming.

But there was no time to catch her breath.

Patricia arched a brow. "I've confirmed with the School of Art at Fairview University: this piece, *Extinction*, was lost years ago and never recovered. Yet I purchased this very painting from a small gallery under Miss Selma's name. So, Ms. Thorne, would you care to explain how a missing painting ended up in your hands?"

A ringing buzzed in Selma's ears. She was frozen, unable to react.

After all these years, no one had known the painting was with her.

That little gallery, which she'd set up after returning home, was mostly used to store her own works. It wasn't large—every so often, it opened to the public. Young people would pop in for photos, and occasionally, a few pieces would be put up for sale, supervised by a staff member.

*Extinction* had only just been moved there a few days ago, and of all the rotten luck-Patricia had sniffed it out immediately.

Sylvie's lips had gone white as she looked over at her now-silent mother.

Elodie understood exactly what Patricia was getting at. The way Selma had even acquired this painting... well, that spoke volumes.

Everyone in the room was stunned, struggling to process what they'd just heard.

After all, Selma had always been a star abroad-a celebrated oil painter, a respected professor at a prestigious art academy. Now, her carefully built reputation was crumbling, scandal after scandal tumbling into the light.

How could she ever show her face in the art world again?noveldrama

Especially since Selma couldn't offer a single defense. Her silence only convinced the onlookers further: she was guilty as sin.

Maurice was genuinely shocked now.

How could there be so much more beneath the surface?

He glanced at Sylvie, who was clearly in a daze, and then over at Jarrod, meaning to ask how they were going to handle this. But Jarrod was already looking his way, eyes cold and expression unreadable.

A chill ran down Maurice's spine.

Finally, Jarrod moved. He stood and strode to the stage. "We need to verify the facts before proceeding. Ladies and gentlemen, the auction is suspended."

He didn't say anything more-offered neither defense nor condemnation.

But his word was law.

None of the reporters dared push back.

Sylvie seized the moment, reaching desperately for Jarrod's sleeve. "Jarrod, this

is all a huge misunderstanding-"

He lowered his gaze to her. "It'll be handled."

Everyone in the room saw it: Mr. Silverstein, offering comfort.

Patricia frowned, noting the depth of

Jarrod's feelings for Sylvie. She

glanced at Elodie and suddenly

Inég

asked, "Does he know Selma stole

your mother's work?"

Elodie, even though she no longer cared about Jarrod, still found the question bitterly ironic. "He knows."

Patricia understood instantly.

Jarrod truly had no affection left for Elodie. But for Sylvie, he was in too deep.

Her face went cold. She gave a sharp order: "Take down every painting by this woman-a plagiarist and possible thief. I won't tolerate this filth in my gallery!"

It was a public humiliation, leaving Selma utterly disgraced.

From this day forward, wherever her name was mentioned, shame would follow.

Grady looked as if he wanted to say something, but Esmeralda, face dark with fury yanked him back. "Don't be stupid! If you speak up now, you'll be dragging the Mercer family's reputation through the mud for her sake. The family isn't just yours. If you care about her that much, cut ties and go ruin yourself alone!"

Grady's chest heaved with suppressed emotion.

The room descended into chaos.

Elodie watched as Selma, unable to bear the pressure, slipped away from the hall.

She knew this wasn't the end-far from it. She would keep pursuing the matter.

It would not end so easily.

At the very least, Selma would have to issue a public apology and admit

everything she'd done.

But when that time came...

Things would only get uglier.

Unless Jarrod intervened, today was just the beginning.

Patricia's command was absolute.

The staff, loyal to their boss, moved quickly, taking down every once-proud

painting and laying them gently in the dust.