How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 500

Elodie's movement faltered for a split second. She turned—and saw Patricia striding in, heels clicking with crisp authority.

Even Jarrod glanced over, though he stayed put, unmoving in his seat.

Selma, however, reminded herself that this was, after all, Patricia's art museum. Patricia's presence here could surely be counted as a show of support.

Selma rose smoothly. "Miss Aldridge, welcome."

Patricia regarded her with a cool, restrained smile. "Am I interrupting? Looks like you're in the middle of an interview for your press kit, aren't you?"

Selma's reply was calm, unfazed. "Not at all. You're welcome to take a seat, Miss Aldridge."

But Patricia remained where she was, eyes narrowed as she glanced toward Sylvie and the man beside her-Jarrod.

She finally turned back, voice light but laced with an edge. "No need to fuss over me. I'm just here to drop off a gift for your show, that's all." She fixed her gaze on Selma. "Is now a good time?"

Selma knew Patricia's reputation in the art world-her attendance could only help the museum's publicity. Smiling, Selma nodded. "Of course."

Patricia clapped her hands.

Elodie glanced over as several staff members, following Patricia's cue, wheeled in a large painting from outside.

The moment Elodie recognized it, her brows shot up in surprise.

the same painting she'd gone to collect from the gallery the other day? The one called *Delusion*? She distinctly remembered hearing that Jarrod had bought

was it now

frowned and looked at Jarrod,

up too, his eyes meeting hers unexpectedly. His gaze was cool, unreadable—a placid indifference on

Selma and Sylvie were taken aback. They couldn't fathom why Patricia was returning

Aldridge, may I

this piece deserves center stage-far outshining most of what's

eyes, though her tone remained composed. "If you love it that much, Miss Aldridge, I'll set another aside for you after

gaze swept her up and down, her tone dry. "Did I say I wanted any of your other paintings? No need to

rebuff. Her brows knitted in spite

did Patricia seem to have come

much the same, her frown deepening as she

the painting with genuine interest. "You know,

the photographers had drifted over to

gaze

the opening. "Jarrod's always liked that painting.

mentioned she wanted it, I just let her

had happened. Back at the Warwick family's calligraphy exhibition, Jarrod had helped Sylvie outbid Elodie for a piece. Later, Jarrod claimed a friend

just

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