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.

this the same painting she'd gone to collect from the gallery the other day? The one called *Delusion*? She distinctly remembered

was it now in Patricia's

frowned and looked at

eyes meeting hers unexpectedly. His gaze was

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

hesitated. "Miss Aldridge, may I ask what this is

tapped the painting. "I think this piece deserves center

you love it that much, Miss Aldridge, I'll

I say I wanted any

sharp rebuff. Her brows knitted in

or did Patricia

same, her frown deepening as she

painting with genuine interest. "You know, this one really does

had drifted over to snap pictures

so?" Jarrod's gaze

opening. "Jarrod's always liked

mentioned she wanted it, I

happened. Back at the Warwick family's calligraphy exhibition, Jarrod had helped Sylvie outbid Elodie for a piece. Later, Jarrod claimed a friend of his was interested and asked if Sylvie minded letting it go. She

just hadn't

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