How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 498

Joseph's words sounded more like empty persuasion than any genuine plea-he never once gave his real feelings away.

But at this point, Elodie could hardly fail to see what he was really thinking. He couldn't even speak to her without holding something back.

She looked at him, her gaze stripped of even the last traces of warmth, replaced by a cool indifference. "Mr. Delacroix, I have to say-you are far more hypocritical than I ever imagined."

Joseph froze, stunned by the bluntness of her words.

Elodie had no desire to waste another breath. She turned away, searching for Esmeralda.

Joseph stood there for a long time, rooted to the spot. He'd never considered that things would come to this-Elodie laying his intentions bare, with nowhere left for him to hide. From now on, she would never let him close again.

After finding Esmeralda, she learned Alexander was still stuck on the highway. Elodie nodded in acknowledgment, not bothering to mention her run-in with Joseph.

There were twenty minutes left before the gallery doors opened.

Elodie gazed across the cordoned-off exhibition space, emotions churning behind her calm eyes.

As she turned, she noticed media starting to arrive. Selma, today's star, was already fielding a few questions.

in art, Selma smiled easily. "My parents have always supported me. Back then, studying art was expensive, but my family managed. My parents sacrificed a lot to give me every opportunity, so I was surrounded by art

couldn't suppress a flicker of

painted herself as

was, Selma came from an ordinary background. It was her mother who'd scraped together funds to support her through college. Now, Selma spun that into a story of family "support," as if she'd always been destined for success. To be fair, Selma did have talent. After moving abroad and getting her residency, she'd become even

you filmed her rise, it would make for

She turned to Esmeralda, about

finally arrived, late and

two doing here?" he demanded, his

from earlier, had no patience left. "And what's it

than to argue with Esmeralda's temper. He fixed his glare on Elodie instead, issuing a cold warning: "This isn't the place for drama Why are you here, Elodie? Did you come

reason to be here-unless she'd come to give Sylvie a hard time, especially after the thesis fiasco. Wasn't

starting to believe Grady

a cold laugh. "And who made you her gatekeeper? Mr. Mercer,

tumor on your neck or

Grady's expression darkened.

into someone like Sylvie? Marry her? In your dreams. You think the Mercer family would ever let her in? Grady, if you don't get your act together, I'll go straight home and tell Dad everything. Let's see if he doesn't

now, everyone knew Sylvie was