Chapter 6
Joseph nearly dropped his cane in excitement as he took the painting from Boris, his hands shaking. “This is really Master Nimbus’s painting!” he declared. “One of her best pieces!”
Winifred moved closer. “Her paintings have a secret,” she explained. “Splash water on them, and a second image emerges. When it dries, the original painting returns completely unchanged.”
She gave Mandy a meaningful look. “Shall we test yours?”
Mandy paled. She’d bought the painting cheaply from someone claiming to be Master Nimbus’s student, never bothering to verify its authenticity. The last thing she expected was for Winifred to gift Joseph with the exact same celebrated work.
Shirly immediately defended Mandy. “Go ahead then. If it’s real, it’ll prove itself.”
A servant hurried over with water and poured it on Mandy’s painting.
Everyone watched the painting intently. Minutes ticked by, but no hidden image appeared–only streaks of ruined ink spreading across the wet
canvas.
“Looks like Ms. Scott’s painting was fake,” someone whispered.
Mandy’s face went pale, then turned bright red. She spun toward Joseph, trying to defend herself. “Joseph, I was cheated. The seller swore he was Master Nimbus’s student-”
Joseph cut her off with a wave, not even glancing her way. “No explanations. A fake is a fake.”
Mandy turned to Gregory with pleading eyes.
He took her wrist, rubbing it gently. “Grandpa,” he said, “Mandy meant well. She spent a fortune on this gift for
Winifred watched Gregory protect Mandy, defending her without question.
r you. She’s just too trusting.”
The truth struck her with painful clarity–if she failed to prove her painting’s authenticity tonight, he would cast her aside without hesitation. It wasn’t cruelty that drove him, but simple indifference.
A nervous servant rushed in. “Mr. Truman Chappell from Naville is here.”
Joseph frowned. “Truman Chappell? Why would he come?” The Hoffmans and Chappells rarely interacted, their families having little to do with each other.
“He says he’s brought a gift,” the servant added.
Joseph hesitated only a moment before nodding. “Let him in. We must be polite to guests.”
Whispers spread through the crowd. “The Chappells from Naville? They’re as wealthy as the Hoffmans in Lavisburg, but the families never mix. Why come now?”
Everyone turned to watch Truman enter the room. He moved with easy confidence in his tailored suit, his characteristic smirk in place while two bodyguards followed him.
Winifred’s chest tightened. ‘Why does Truman have to appear now, of all times?‘ she wondered.
As Truman walked in, Gregory immediately saw how his eyes fixed on Winifred, like she was the only person in the room. And Winifred met his gaze steadily, not backing down.
‘We’re still married, and she’s already showing her true colors, Gregory thought bitterly. ‘Falling for Truman the moment she learned he’s Naville’s wealthiest man? How typical
Winifred quickly moved behind Joseph, her pulse quickening. She hoped Truman was just here for the party. The last thing she needed was the Hoffmans discovering who she really was.
Truman stopped in front of Joseph, but kept staring at Winifred. Three years had passed since she left the Chappell family, and now he drank in every detail of her appearance.
She looked gaunt now, her pallor so faint that she seemed almost fragile. An ache tightened in Truman’s chest. ‘Has that bastard Gregory even been looking after her properly? My poor sister must have endured hell here,’ he thought.
