CHAPTER 3: The Art Thief
The sharp slap echoed through the gallery. Theodore’s eyes widened in shock. He started to run toward Eleanor. “Mom!”
But Claudia stopped him, whispering, “Teddy, your mother ruined my painting. I can call the police and have her arrested. Do you want your classmates to know your mom is a criminal?”
That made Theodore hesitate. He bit his lip, turned his back, and ignored her.
Eleanor pressed her hand to her stinging cheek, her eyes fixed on Theodore’s small, retreating figure. She swallowed the bitterness in her heart.
She faced Claudia, furious. “By what right did you hit me?”
Claudia scoffed. “This painting is worth half a million. Destroying it requires double the compensation. You won’t leave today without one million.”
“I won’t pay a single dime of that money,” Eleanor said, staring intensely at Claudia.
Claudia laughed scornfully. She leaned closer to Eleanor and hissed, “Do you think you’re still the famous artist you were years ago? Who even remembers you now? You’re just a pathetic clown.”
“I know you can’t even afford twenty thousand, let alone a million. How about this: kneel down and shine my shoes right now, and I’ll let you go. Deal?” Claudia offered a look of smug benevolence.
Eleanor clenched her fists. “Never!”
“Fine. Keep playing tough. You owe that million, and don’t think Sebastian will give you a cent!” Claudia turned to Mark. “Core Gallery’s security is obviously slipping. Why are you letting trash like her in? She ruined my painting. Will the gallery offer me an explanation?”
Mark instinctively glanced at Alexander, who remained silent but looked grim. Understanding immediately, Mark turned back. “Eleanor’s act of destruction is the gallery’s fault. We will contact our lawyers to sue her for damages to both the gallery and you.”
Claudia nodded, satisfied, and gave Eleanor a victorious smirk.
“What if I have proof that I painted it?” Eleanor challenged.
“Pfft.” Claudia burst into laughter. “What proof could you possibly have? Eleanor, I suggest you stop making a fool of yourself. I’m embarrassed for you.”
“You, the thief, aren’t ashamed. Why should I be?” Eleanor was resolute.
Her conviction made Claudia hesitate. Does Eleanor actually have evidence?
But Claudia quickly reasoned, My name is signed on it, and Core Gallery authenticated it. As long as I insist she’s lying, no one can prove otherwise.
“Alright. If you can’t prove it, then you must agree to divorce Sebastian and leave with nothing.” That position as Mrs. Sebastian was rightfully hers. This was the perfect chance to yank out this thorn.
Eleanor just found her self-assurance amusing. “And if I can prove the painting is mine, you will kneel down and apologize to me.”
Claudia scoffed, convinced Eleanor was bluffing.
Eleanor turned, removed the remaining half of the painting from the wall, turned on her phone’s flashlight, and shined it on the cocoon area of the artwork.
The light penetrated the canvas, clearly revealing the hidden information beneath the oil paint: Eleanor.
Claudia’s eyes were wide. She gasped sharply. I can’t believe that bitch had this trick up her sleeve!
Eleanor smiled faintly. “Would Miss Claudia care to explain why, if this is your painting, my name is on it?”
“Th-this…” Claudia panicked. “My name is the signature! Core Gallery certified it! Are you implying that Core Gallery made a mistake?”
Alexander’s sharp gaze swept between Eleanor and Claudia. He spoke with a cold, deep voice. “Mark, as the gallery manager, what is the protocol for exhibiting a stolen work?”
Though Alexander’s voice was calm, Mark instantly wiped cold sweat from his forehead. “My oversight, sir. I’ll issue an order immediately. Miss Claudia’s work will never be exhibited in Core Gallery again.”
“No!” Claudia shrieked. She hadn’t expected Alexander to side with Eleanor so directly. Core Gallery was the biggest gallery in A City. Displaying work here meant you were one of the best—it was every artist’s dream. If her work was rejected under the pretense of theft, she would become a universal joke!
“Mr. Alexander, I painted this! You can’t do this to me based on one person’s word! It’s unfair!”
“Then explain why that lady’s name is on the canvas.”
Claudia was speechless. She resorted to tears. “That must be Eleanor’s trick! This was my entry from years ago! If Eleanor truly painted it, why did she keep silent all these years?”
Alexander looked at Eleanor.
Eleanor remained silent. For a man, she had sacrificed her dream, her dignity, and her identity. All that compromise had resulted in the death of her daughter, and the betrayal of her husband and son. A sharp pain shot through her chest.
She looked up at Claudia. “You conspired with my husband to steal my painting, and you ask me why I didn’t pursue it. Claudia, I’ve proven this work is mine. If you can’t disprove it, you must apologize to me.”
Claudia gnashed her teeth, leaning in to whisper a threat. “If Sebastian finds out you’re making things difficult for me, he’ll hate you even more. You’d better say this painting is mine, or Sebastian will divorce you!”
“Apologize,” Eleanor said, looking directly at Claudia, emphasizing every syllable.
Claudia trembled with fury.
Just then, Sebastian rushed in. “What’s going on?” Sebastian’s eyes widened in surprise when he saw Alexander. He had come to the gallery hoping to run into Alexander, and now his luck paid off.
“Mr. Prescott, hello, my name is Sebastian. I’m the CEO of Urbaneo Real Estate. It’s an honor to meet you!” Sebastian extended his hand.
Alexander didn't take it. “Do you know these two ladies?”
Sebastian awkwardly retracted his hand. “Yes, I do. One is my wife, and the other is my wife’s sister.”
Alexander nodded. “Both ladies claim to be the artist of Breaking the Cocoon. Can you provide Core Gallery with an answer?”
Sebastian quickly said, “I sincerely apologize. My wife, Eleanor, is standing over there. Our son is closer to Claudia, and out of revenge, Eleanor is falsely claiming the painting is hers.”
“Is that so?” Alexander’s gaze bypassed Sebastian and fell onto Eleanor.
Eleanor lowered her eyes, masking her disappointment. “It’s fine to lie to others, but don’t lie to yourself.”
Sebastian took a few steps closer to Eleanor, lowering his voice. “Eleanor, don’t push your luck. If this ruins my partnership with Mr. Alexander, don’t bother coming home!”
“I never planned to come back.” Eleanor's decisive expression startled Sebastian. A brief flicker of panic crossed his mind.
But he quickly recovered, believing he understood everything. “You’re doing this to get my attention and win me back, aren’t you? Fine, I can forgive your little tantrum from two days ago. Now, go immediately and explain everything to Mr. Prescott!”
