Chapter 439

Evelyn's brows furrowed. "He's tracking me?" This was bad news. International travel wasn't an option right now.

Nathaniel had scoured every corner of the city for her these past weeks. She knew he'd trace her the moment her passport flagged at any airport. For thirty days, she'd avoided using her own credit cards entirely. Every purchase went through either Sebastian's or Seraphina's accounts to throw him off her trail.

Playing the dutiful wife to appease Nathaniel's family had exhausted her. Her priority now was uncovering the truth about her mother - who she was, why she'd abandoned Evelyn all those years ago.

If Vivian Sterling still lived, Evelyn would move heaven and earth to find her.

If not... then someone would pay for what they'd done.

The gallery manager noticed Evelyn's distracted expression. "Miss Whitmore, if these pieces don't interest you, we have another collection by a different artist. Would you care to see them?"

Evelyn blinked back to the present. "Do you have any works by Vivian Sterling?"

The manager's eyebrows shot up. "Actually, we have two. Vivian was Raphael Devereaux's most celebrated protégé, so we always display some of her pieces with his exhibitions. Though few ask about her specifically." He lowered his voice. "Her style was... unconventional for the international scene. No one even knows her real name, and there's zero publicity about the artist. I'm surprised you recognized her work."

Evelyn offered no explanation. "Show me."

"Right this way, Miss Whitmore."

"These two pieces were painted during Vivian's university years," the manager gestured toward the wall. One painting showed a man's shadowy silhouette that triggered an odd sense of familiarity in Evelyn. The other depicted a breathtaking landscape in hyper-realistic detail.

"I'll take both," Evelyn said without hesitation.

The manager's smile widened at her lack of price inquiry. "Excellent choice. I'll have them prepared immediately."

As he hurried off, Evelyn studied the paintings. 'Mom painted these as a student. There's such warmth in her strokes... she must have been happy then. Is that shadow my father?'

"Miss Whitmore," a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Long time no see."

Evelyn turned to face the strikingly handsome man standing behind her.