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.

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

gotten her hands on

more importantly, 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 right then that the scandal broke: Selma accused Winifred of plagiarizing her

Winifred's name was dragged through

died. She'd worried about that maligned

her feet, her expression changing in an

Selma's mind was reeling.

of it and tossed it 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

could Patricia have possibly

going to

your work

was icy, her lips twisted in a mocking smile. "This 'Extinction' matches your 'Delusion'

exactly, doesn't

cracking, but she managed

never gotten the chance to sign "Extinction" before she died. Who was

no longer hold back; she was stunned by 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

The room erupted.

for the public-many respected figures