Chapter 5
E
Mandy’s lips curled into a smirk–she’d been waiting for this. “Because…” She flicked her wrist, and a bodyguard immediately stepped forward, placing an ornate box in her hands.
She turned to Joseph with a polished smile, offering him the silk–lined case. “Happy eightieth, Joseph. I brought you Master Nimbus’s ‘Nature Symphony–something worthy of the occasion.” Slowly, she opened the box, lifted the scroll, and unrolled it before Joseph.
The guests pressed in, their eyes darting between the two paintings–identical down to the last brushstroke.
Even Joseph hesitated, his brow furrowing as he studied them. “Unbelievable…”
“Ms. Scott’s has to be the real one,” someone whispered. “Not just anyone could get a work of Master Nimbus.”
“That piece is worth over thirty million,” another guest cut in. “Where would Winifred get that kind of money?”
“Everything she has comes from Mr. Hoffman. Thirty million? She couldn’t scrape together a penny on her own, someone else snorted.
The room erupted in cruel laughter.
“Winifred, stop embarrassing Gregory. Take your worthless fake and get out,” Shirly snapped, shoving Winifred again.
Winifred ignored her, her gaze steady on Mandy. “You claim your painting is authentic. How can you be sure?”
Mandy lifted her chin. “Bring in any expert you want. They’ll confirm it’s authentic.”
Winifred’s smile was soft but edged with something sharper. “Do you know what’s hidden in Master Nimbus’s painting?” she asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Mandy stiffened but didn’t back down. “I’m not an art scholar. I just know Joseph admires her work, so I bought it–no matter the price.”
“An expensive mistake, then.” Winifred’s lips curved, her perfect poise like oil on Mandy’s blazing temper. Before Mandy could protest, she delivered the final blow. “It’s a fake.”
Mandy’s expression faltered, but she quickly recovered. “That’s impossible. I bought this directly from Master Nimbus’s student. And you’re calling it a fake?”
“Student? Don’t make me laugh,” Winifred retorted with a dismissive wave. “Master Nimbus has never taken students.”
Mandy’s voice grew sharp with irritation. “And you’d know that how? Have you ever even met her?”
Winifred hesitated before responding quietly, “Well… I guess I kind of do.”
The room erupted in amused disbelief. No one could imagine a mere nurse being acquainted with the legendary artist.
Gregory pinched the bridge of his nose, convinced Winifred had lost all sense. “Jasper, escort Winifred home,” he ordered, desperate to contain the damage.
Before Jasper Lennox, Gregory’s assistant, could reach her, Winifred raised her hand. “Wait. Wouldn’t you rather know the truth? Let me show you why Master Nimbus’s work is special.
“Every one of her paintings hides a second image underneath,” she said calmly.
Before anyone could stop her, Winifred snatched Joseph’s half–empty glass and hurled its contents across the painting she’d gifted.
“Winifred, are you insane?” Gregory shouted.
Joseph barely flinched as the water nearly hit him, his gaze fixed on the painting.
Someone in the crowd snorted. “It’s a fake anyway. She’s just trying to hide that she’s wrong.”
Mandy pretended to sound concerned. “You didn’t have to damage it, Winifred. Even if it wasn’t real—”
Asharp cry cut her off. “Look, it’s changing!”
Boris raised the painting for all to see. As the water bled through, the rugged peaks and rivers melted away, unveiling delicate flowers glowing under the moon’s pale light.
The revelation left them breathless–no one could have imagined another masterpiece lay concealed within.
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