How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 501

Patricia Aldridge finally let a smile curl at her lips. “So, you're saying this painting really is one of your early works?"

"Yes, it is. Why?" Selma's brow furrowed slightly. For some reason, a strange unease crept over her.

Patricia had been waiting for her to admit it in front of everyone.

She gestured, and another painting was carried over.

"In that case, did you create this painting as well?"

There was quite a crowd in the room. As Patricia finished speaking, she had her assistant unveil the new painting.

The moment Selma got a clear look at it, her face changed dramatically. She stumbled back a step.

Elodie Thorne glanced at the painting and froze in shock.

Because―

The painting Patricia had brought out was the missing bottom half of Winifred Thorne's diptych, "Extinction," the one created for the School of Art at Fairview University.

famously purchased for millions abroad, there had been not a single trace of the bottom half of

had Patricia suddenly gotten

the bottom half was the smoking gun. Years ago, Winifred had promised the School of Art two paintings, but only "Dwelling" was ever delivered "Extinction" vanished without a trace. Later, Winifred had to create another series in a similar style for her graduation project. It was

was how Winifred's name was dragged through

never cleared her reputation-not even before she died. She'd worried about that

Fielding shot to her feet, her expression changing

Selma's mind was reeling.

into storage at a small gallery she'd bought after returning home, planning to deal with it later-or perhaps just leave it to gather dust forever, hidden away, while her own work basked in the spotlight at the front of the gallery,

the perfect symbol of the different fates she and Winifred

have possibly

you going

work or not?"

in a mocking smile. "This 'Extinction'

exactly, doesn't

she

to sign "Extinction" before she died. Who was left to claim it, except

Selma's shamelessness. She stepped forward, her face cold, her voice steady as she stared Selma down. "This is my mother Winifred's original work, created for the School of Art at Fairview University-two parts! Miss Selma, how does it feel to have been stealing

The room erupted.

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