How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 93

Esmeralda had just finished grimacing her way through a bottle of medicine when she turned toward Elodie. "There must be tons of places like that, right? All sorts of shady organizations buying up art from all over, reselling it through different channels."

She paused, frowning in confusion. "Why do you ask?"

Elodie pinched the bridge of her nose before answering. "My mom lost a painting years ago. Even in her last days, she couldn't let it go. Her third anniversary is coming up, and I thought if I could track it down, maybe it would fulfill her last wish."

She remembered her grandmother mentioning it once in passing.

The missing piece was the bottom half of a painting-her mother's graduation project, if she recalled correctly. Something had gone wrong halfway through, and in the end, it was never used.

But that year, her mother had graduated and returned to Eldermere. Paintings like that tended to circulate, especially in a city like Eldermere, with its bustling art market. Maybe there was a chance she could find a lead here.

Esmeralda pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I'll ask around, see what I can find out. Just hang tight, I'll let you know if I hear anything."

Elodie didn't put much stock in it. It was like searching for a needle in a haystack -she could only try her best.

What she didn't expect was to hear back by lunchtime.

Esmeralda came bursting in, cheeks flushed with excitement. "There's a private collector's exhibition next week. Apparently, they'll be showing a ton of modern masterpieces, works from all over the world. The guy owns an entire building here in Eldermere one floor is a full-on gallery, and another's dedicated solely to his grandfather's calligraphy and paintings. The whole thing's over the top."

her voice conspiratorially.

"But what?"

hosted by the Warwick family. They do this every year, but it's strictly invite-only. The guest list

widened. She knew all about the Warwicks; they were just as famous as the Silverstein family-a household name in high society. The threshold for entry

her hands helplessly. "I don't have any connections to get

walked in, files in hand, glancing up at

lit up instantly. "Alex, do you know anyone from the

an eyebrow. "I know the eldest son, but he's overseas.

"Could you

head. "Not really. He's a doctor, always off somewhere remote doing charity work. Half the time, there's

pressed, "But do you have any way into the Warwick

down his files, almost amused. "Is that all? I actually

Elodie, her nerves finally

her

worked, and it would be a lie to say she wasn't nervous. Fortunately, a nurse noticed her anxiety and offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, it's just a localized treatment.

asked, "Didn't anyone come with

answer questions like this. She smiled politely. "I'll