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 other day? The one called *Delusion*? She

it now in

make sense of it. Instinctively, Elodie frowned and looked at Jarrod,

meeting hers unexpectedly. His gaze was cool, unreadable—a placid indifference on the

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

hesitated. "Miss Aldridge, may I ask what

and tapped the painting. "I think this piece deserves

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

down, her tone dry. "Did I say I wanted any of your other paintings?

such a sharp rebuff. Her brows knitted in spite of

her, or did Patricia seem to have come looking

her frown deepening as

painting with genuine interest. "You

had drifted over to snap pictures of

Jarrod's gaze

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

I just let her have

Sylvie outbid Elodie for a piece. Later, Jarrod claimed a friend

just

to circle back to