Esmeralda had just finished grimacing her way through a bottle of medicine when she turned toward Elodie. "There must be tons of ces like that, right? All sorts of shady organizations buying up art from all over, reselling it through different channels."


    She paused, frowning in confusion. "Why do you ask?"


    Elodie pinched the bridge of her nose before answering. "My mom lost a painting years ago. Even in herst days, she couldn''t let it go. Her third anniversary ising up, and I thought if I could track it down, maybe it would fulfill herst wish."


    She remembered her grandmother mentioning it once in passing.


    The missing piece was the bottom half of a painting-her mother''s graduation project, if she recalled correctly. Something had gone wrong halfway through, and in the end, it was never used.


    But that year, her mother had graduated and returned to Eldermere. Paintings like that tended to circte, especially in a city like Eldermere, with its bustling art market. Maybe there was a chance she could find a lead here.


    Esmeralda pondered for a moment, then nodded. "I''ll ask around, see what I can find out. Just hang tight, I''ll let you know if I hear anything."


    Elodie didn''t put much stock in it. It was like searching for a needle in a haystack -she could only try her best.


    What she didn''t expect was to hear back by lunchtime.


    Esmeralda came bursting in, cheeks flushed with excitement. "There''s a private collector''s exhibition next week. Apparently, they''ll be showing a ton of modern masterpieces, works from all over the world. The guy owns an entire building here in Eldermere one floor is a full-on gallery, and another''s dedicated solely to his grandfather''s calligraphy and paintings. The whole thing''s over the top."


    She paused, lowering her voice conspiratorially. "But..."


    "But what?"


    "The exhibition''s hosted by the Warwick family. They do this every year, but it''s strictly invite-only. The guest list is set in stone-only the elite of the elite get in. Regr people don''t stand a chance."


    Elodie''s eyes widened. She knew all about the Warwicks; they were just as famous as the Silverstein family-a household name in high society. The threshold for entry was sky-high.


    Esmeralda sighed, spreading her hands helplessly. "I don''t have any connections to get us in."


    "What connections?" Alexander walked in, files in hand, ncing up at them.


    Esmeralda''s eyes lit up instantly. "Alex, do you know anyone from the Warwick family?"


    He raised an eyebrow. "I know the eldest son, but he''s overseas. Why?"


    Elodie''s heart skipped. "Could you reach him?"


    Alexander shook his head. "Not really. He''s a doctor, always off somewhere remote doing charity work. Half the time, there''s no cell service."


    Esmeralda pressed, "But do you have any way into the Warwick exhibition? Elodie needs to go."


    Alexander set down his files, almost amused. "Is that all? I actually got an invitation the other day. You can go in my ce."


    Relief swept through Elodie, her nerves finally settling.


    The day of her scheduled radiation therapy arrived.


    Elodie made her way to the hospital alone, early as usual. She knew next to nothing about how radiation worked, and it would be a lie to say she wasn''t nervous. Fortunately, a nurse noticed her anxiety and offered a reassuring smile. "Don''t worry, it''s just a localized treatment. It shouldn''t hurt too much."


    The nurse hesitated, then gently asked, "Didn''t anyonee with you today?"


    Elodie had long since learned how to answer questions like this. She smiled politely. "I''ll be fine on my own."


    The nurse''s look turned sympathetic, but Elodie pretended not to notice.


    When she''d first been diagnosed, she''d been scared and helpless, desperate to lean on Jarrod.


    But he''d ditched her to celebrate Sylvie''s birthday instead.


    After that, she stopped hoping for anything.


    The radiation targeted only her abdomen, and the pain was manageable. What really got to her was the nausea-she threw up twice during the procedure.


    By the time it was over, she felt drained and weak.


    She sat quietly for a long while, trying to collect herself, when her phone rang.


    It was the main line of her uncle''s nursing home.


    This was Eldermere''s best private hospital-expensive, but the care was impable.


    "Ms. Thorne? We need to discuss Mr. Emile''s payment. Would you have time toe by?"


    Elodie pressed a hand to her stomach and answered softly, "I''ll be there right away."