Chapter 42

Gregory's face was stormy with barely contained rage. The scandal involving his eldest daughter Cassandra had dominated social media all morning.

Evelyn approached him cautiously. "Father, getting upset won't help your blood pressure," she murmured, placing a soothing hand on his arm. "This media frenzy will pass. People always move on to the next scandal."

"You're right." Gregory exhaled sharply. At least Evelyn was the dependable daughter who never caused him public embarrassment.

Lately, nothing seemed to go right for Gregory. He massaged his temples before asking, "Did you need something?"

Evelyn nodded and carefully unwrapped the painting she'd brought. "I wanted you to see this."

As the protective paper fell away, the masterpiece 'Geese in Late Autumn' was revealed in all its glory - one of Vivian Sterling's rarest posthumous works that Nathaniel had gifted her.

Gregory's breath caught. "Evelyn! This is Vivian Sterling's 'Geese in Late Autumn'! The art world went wild when it sold for seven million to an anonymous collector! How did you—is this authentic?"

"It is," Evelyn confirmed. "My employer at the estate purchased it. After I saved his grandmother's life, he gave it to me as thanks."

Gregory looked thunderstruck. "He just...gave you a seven-million-dollar painting?"

Evelyn shrugged. "Money means nothing to him. His grandmother's life is priceless."

"I can't believe this," Gregory whispered, tracing the brushstrokes with trembling fingers. His expression turned wistful, haunted by ghosts Evelyn couldn't see.

Seizing the moment, Evelyn asked quietly, "Father...Vivian Sterling was my mother's pseudonym, wasn't she?"

Gregory froze. His head snapped up, eyes wide with shock. "How...how do you know that?"

"The name always felt familiar," Evelyn said. "Then I found an old photo of Mother with 'Vivian Sterling' written on the back in her handwriting."

Gregory sighed heavily. "Yes. Vivian Sterling was your mother."

Evelyn pressed further. "Some of these 'posthumous' works look freshly painted. Do you think...could Mother still be alive?"

"Don't be absurd!" Gregory exploded, slamming his fist on the desk. "Your mother died when you were a child! Those are forgeries!" He grabbed her shoulders urgently. "And you must never tell anyone Vivian Sterling was your mother. Do you understand?"

"Why not?" Evelyn demanded.

Gregory's face twisted with conflict before he spat out, "Because she wasn't my wife! Do you want the world knowing you're illegitimate?"

Evelyn's jaw tightened. Gregory always dodged questions about her mother, confirming her suspicions that darker truths lurked beneath.

Though her memories were faint, Evelyn remembered her mother as regal and composed - never someone who would be a mistress. She refused to believe the family's narrative. Whether her mother was dead or alive, Evelyn would uncover the truth and clear her name.

Leaving the painting with Gregory for safekeeping, Evelyn departed. Despite everything, she knew Gregory still cherished her mother's memory. The masterpiece would be protected.

But the real masterpiece was the puzzle of her mother's life - and Evelyn was determined to solve it.