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.

supported me. Back then, studying art was expensive, but my family managed. My parents sacrificed a

suppress

self-portrait. She'd painted herself as

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 more ambitious, making all the

it would make for a

about to suggest they get the paintings and

Grady finally arrived,

you two doing here?" he demanded,

no patience left. "And

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 just to stir things up for Ms. Fielding? Do you have any sense of boundaries? If you don't want to embarrass

to be here-unless she'd come to give Sylvie a hard time, especially

believe Grady might actually

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

neck or just your

Grady's expression darkened.

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

knew Sylvie was the reason