CHAPTER 5: Slander

“I think I saw Eleanor tear up a painting at the gallery earlier. Could it have been that Breaking the Cocoon? You know, this Facing the Sun looks remarkably similar to Claudia’s published work!”

“What? That’s utterly despicable! I knew it! She hasn't touched a brush in years. How could she return and paint so well? She stole someone else’s work!”

“Ugh, this immoral person should rot in hell! Since she and Claudia are sisters, she probably got jealous when she saw her successful sister after her husband got sick of her being a plain housewife. So she ruined Claudia’s painting.”

The crowd below began to condemn Eleanor.

Eleanor struggled to remain calm against the insults. “The subject of this painting is my daughter, she…”

Before she could finish, an unopened bottle of mineral water struck Eleanor’s head. The force made her stagger back several steps before she regained her balance. Sebastian instinctively reached out to catch her, but then, thinking better of it, he coldly withdrew his hand.

“You shameless tramp! How dare you steal our Claudia’s painting? Look in the mirror! What are you? I curse you to hell!” The man who threw the bottle was a fanatic fan of Claudia's. He tried to rush the stage but was quickly intercepted and pulled away by security.

Eleanor clutched her head, looking out at the audience, whose faces were filled with mockery and schadenfreude.

Sebastian gave her a look of forced pity. “If you admit you’re wrong right now and promise to transfer all the auction money to me, I’ll tell everyone this was just an innocent mistake. How about that?”

Eleanor straightened up, composed herself, and, under Sebastian’s smug gaze, spat out two words. “In your dreams.”

Sebastian’s voice turned cold. “Still defiant? Let’s see how long you can keep that up. Don't come crying and begging me later.”

Eleanor took a deep breath. “As far as I know, Claudia hasn't produced a single good painting since Breaking the Cocoon. If she really had such great work, why hasn't she exhibited it?”

Sebastian frowned at that.

“I’ll tell you why. Because Breaking the Cocoon is also my work. My husband and Claudia, in their affair, stole my painting.”

“What proof do you have? You’re just jealous that Claudia became a famous artist while you’re stuck as a mediocre housewife!” The comment stung Eleanor. It was Sebastian who had forced her to abandon painting and become a housewife. Now he used that very fact to mock her.

“The thief yelling 'Stop thief!' What evidence do you have that Breaking the Cocoon is yours? I think that blow to your head scrambled your brains!”

“Stealing one painting isn't enough; now she wants to steal two? How shameless!” Doubts surged from the audience.

Downstairs, Alexander’s intense gaze remained fixed on Eleanor on the stage. He motioned for Mark and quietly gave him an instruction. Mark nodded in acknowledgment.

Eleanor addressed the gallery staff. “Could you please bring up the other half of Breaking the Cocoon?”

With Mark's nod, the remaining half was soon brought onto the stage. Under the cynical eyes of the crowd, the name on the half-painting was revealed in the light: Eleanor.

The auction hall instantly fell silent.

Just then, a middle aged man in a sharp suit stood up and walked toward the stage. Someone recognized him as Dorek, the major collector who originally bought Breaking the Cocoon and later gifted it to the gallery for its tenth anniversary.

“I heard that major collector is a devoted fan of Claudia. He spent a fortune on Breaking the Cocoon. Now that Eleanor destroyed it, he’s probably here for revenge.”

“Eleanor is finished. Dorek has huge connections in the industry. If he targets her, she can forget about ever making it in the art world again.”

Hearing the chatter, a layer of sweat broke out on Eleanor’s palm. Claudia, who had been slightly nervous, relaxed. Did they really think ruining ‘her painting’ would be easy? Plenty of people will stand up for her.

Eleanor watched nervously as Dorek walked up to her with a grim expression. Just as she was about to defend herself, Dorek smiled and began to clap.

“‘Breaking the Cocoon,’ without breaking, there is no creation. Miss Eleanor, you cut this painting beautifully!”

The entire hall was stunned, and even Eleanor was surprised.

“When I first collected this painting, I always felt the meaning was deeper than simply escaping a cage. I even asked Miss Claudia, but she couldn't answer. It wasn’t until today, hearing this new interpretation, that I finally understood.”

Dorek looked down at Claudia. “Miss Claudia, don’t you want to come up and defend yourself?”

Claudia panicked. She forced a look of composure. “Are you also suggesting I stole the painting? As a longtime fan, don’t you know me? I would never do something so despicable as stealing a painting!”

“Hiding someone else’s name in your own painting? Who would believe you didn't steal it?”

“First she pretends to be pitiful and frames Eleanor for theft, now she's shameless!”

“If she didn’t steal it, she should provide proof. If talking is enough, I’ll claim the painting is mine, too.”

The surrounding comments made Claudia lose face. Unable to endure the shame, she covered her face and fled.

Eleanor looked at Dorek gratefully. She suddenly remembered that she had only discussed the “without breaking, there is no creation” interpretation with Alexander.

She looked down at Alexander in the audience, meeting his eyes. The man’s gaze was cold, serious, and devoid of emotion, yet it carried immense, intangible pressure. After just one second, Eleanor quickly looked away.

The minor interlude passed, and Eleanor ultimately signed the agreement to donate all auction proceeds. Sebastian stalked off the stage amid insults, his face deeply unpleasant.

After the auction, Eleanor found Dorek to express her thanks. Dorek smiled. “Don’t thank me. Someone else helped you.”

Following Dorek’s gaze, Eleanor saw Alexander preparing to leave. Dorek told her Alexander had instructed the gallery manager to pass on the four words “without breaking, there is no creation.” Otherwise, he wouldn't have publicly supported Eleanor.

Eleanor’s mind was in turmoil. Why would Alexander help her? They had only just met.

After a moment of deliberation, Eleanor walked toward Alexander and stopped him just before he exited.

Alexander turned, his eyes sweeping over Eleanor. “Yes?”