Chapter 14

While Eleanor struggled to find the right words, a neatly dressed staff member approached.

"Ms. Brooks, Mr. Brooks is waiting for you just ahead.Please come with me," the staff member said as he bowed to Lillian.

Lillian clicked her tongue in irritation, muttering under her breath, "Out of all moments, Ryland chooses now to appear. He really knows how to ruin the fun."

Her complaints aside, she trailed after the staff member without further fuss.

Eleanor exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over her.

Finally,silence.

With her mind settling, she turned her full attention to the gallery, taking the time to study the pieces carefully.

Her steps slowed as her gaze fell upon a painting titled Roses in Bloom by Rafael Turner.

Rafael, the most celebrated court painter of the last century, was known for works so rare they were deemed priceless.

The painting's composition certainly held alure,yet something about the canvas didn't sit right.

Eleanor's brows knitted as she flagged down a nearby staff member. "This piece seems suspicious.You should notify Mr. Gill immediately and have it taken down."

She couldn't allow David's exhibition to be tarnished by even a hint of forgery.

The staff member's expression darkened at her words. "Madam, that kind of accusation is reckless.Every itemdisplayed here has been authenticated."

Though he recognized her connection to Nolan, that didn't mean he would tolerate anyone questioning David's collection-or worse, making trouble.

Eleanor parted her lips to explain, but a derisive voice cut her off.

"An orphan like you dares to question an ancient masterpiece? Please. You're only here to cause a scene!" The voice, dripping with venom, belonged to Emma.

She had slipped away the moment Jonny's attention faltered, and by chance, she stumbled straight into this confrontation.

With a sneer, she shifted her glare to the staff member. "And you call this security? How can you let someone like her even set foot inside? What kind of standards does this gallery have?"

Earlier, Eleanor had made a fool of her. Now, Emma saw her chance to return the humiliation.

The staff member, already leaning against Eleanor,found courage in Emma's words. His hand shot out,aiming to seize her arm. Eleanor's gaze turned icy as she slid back a step,cool and measured.

His grip caught nothing but air. Overreaching, the man stumbled forward, nearly losing his balance in front of everyone.

Emma's expression twisted in disgust.

Pathetic.

He couldn't even handle one woman.

Emma wasn't about to waste the chance handed to her.

She lifted her chin and raised her voice so the crowd could hear. "Look at you-living off my brother-and now you dare to disrupt Mr. Gill's exhibition? Do you even realize who Mr. Gill is? And yet you've got the nerve to call his painting a forgery!"

Her sharp tone drew immediate attention, heads turning from every direction.

"That lady can't be serious. She's far too young to make such bold accusations."

"This is a joint show hosted by David Gill and Dyer Curtis. Everything here has been verified-there's no way an error slipped through."

"Pretty face, sure... but probably just some bored socialite desperate for attention."

···

The voices reached Eleanor, her brow twitching with irritation.

Emma really was hopeless. To spar with someone that foolish would only drag her down.

Eleanor decided she wasn't worth the breath.

The crowd was already watching, so backing down wasn't an option. If this was a stage, then Eleanor would decide how the play unfolded.

Her eyes turned cold as she fixed them on Emma's smug expression. "Emma, since you're so certain of yourself, why don't we settle this with a bet?" The sudden challenge made Emma falter.

What game was this woman playing?

Where did she find such nerve?

Could she really know something?

No. Impossible.

An orphan with no pedigree couldn't possibly understand antiques, much less paintings of this caliber.

This had to be a bluff-some desperate trick to scare her.

And besides, this was David and Dyer's exhibition.No chance anything here was fake.

Convinced of her own reasoning, Emma lifted her chin proudly. "A bet it is! Do you think I'm scared? If you lose, you'll apologize publicly-three times-and leave this gallery for good!"

She wanted nothing more than to see Eleanor humiliated, driven out with her reputation in ruins. But Eleanor's composure didn't crack. Her voice was cool and steady as she retorted, "And if you lose?"