The Wife He Forgot to Marry (Winona and Yule) novel Chapter 272

Simone Sterling offered a small, appreciative smile. "I didn't expect anyone else here to be drawn to this one. Most people just make a beeline for the famous pieces. You're the only one who actually appreciates my mother's work."

Winona looked at her in surprise. "Your mother is an artist?"

Simone nodded, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "She wasn't famous. When I was ten, she took her own life after a long battle with depression. This was the last piece she ever painted. My father hates having it displayed, but I always hoped someone would truly see it and recognize her talent."

"Her talent was definitely overlooked. It's beautiful," Winona said softly.

"Yeah," Simone agreed, her voice barely above a whisper. "If she hadn't married my father, I think her life would have turned out very differently."

Seeing the genuine admiration in Winona's eyes, Simone made a sudden decision. "If you really like it, I want you to have it."

Winona blinked, taken aback. "You want to give it to me?"

"I'd rather it go to someone who truly understands it than have it bought by some pretentious collector looking for a quick investment," Simone said firmly. "Wait right here. I'll get someone to take it down for you."

Winona stood there, slightly stunned by the generous offer, and waited.

Across the room, Tallulah Shipley and Blythe had just entered the gallery. Blythe had been out of jail for a while, but out of sheer embarrassment, she had avoided public events. Tonight, however, she couldn't stay away. With her daughter's marriage secured, her only remaining priority was finding a match for her son.

She had heard through the grapevine that the gallery was owned by Mr. Sterling of Stratos Tech. He had an only daughter, Simone, who was around Zayden's age and reportedly quite talented. Since Mrs. Sterling had passed away early, Simone rarely attended high-society functions, making her a bit of an unknown. Blythe had gone out of her way to track down a photo of her and was very pleased with what she saw. A girl without a mother would likely be desperate for affection, making her easy to control—the perfect, submissive daughter-in-law for the Shipley family.

Scanning the crowd for Simone, Blythe's gaze suddenly locked onto Winona instead.

Memories of the miserable month she spent in a jail cell—all because of her 'ungrateful' daughter—made her blood boil. Tallulah spotted Winona at the same time, her eyes narrowing with instant hostility.

The two women marched straight toward her.

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