it, her breath caught. It was a 17th-century oil painting, depicting a regal woman in a dark emerald gown. The brushstrokes, the age

t masters. The real painting had been lost decades ago, yet here i

iece? The link between the Blackwood family and

n's A

. Sophia quickly composed herself as Damian Black

d," he noted, his voic

expression neutral. "It's

observing her reactio

fully. "I've read about it. The

unreadable. "Perhaps some thing

ened. Was that a

btle

she said, forcing her voice to sta

you for your expertise. B

nting. If this was the proof she needed, she had to be caref

tepping into his world, she wo

ing that she was being played. Damian's words kept echoing in

more? Something that went

But as she delved deeper into the painting's layers, she co

ood was waiting for he

htened as she tried to read Damian's intentions. Was he trying t

mind racing with possibilities. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't even noti

ound of footsteps approaching once more. This time, i

your presence in his office," sh

d a beat. What did Da

bilities. As she followed Elena out of the gallery, Sophia co

ackwood was waitin

eling that she was being watched. She glanced a

ng the intricate details. The woman's dress, t

ed something peculiar. A small, almost imp

es locked on the mark. It lo

to process what she was seeing

possibilities. As she continued her analysis, Sophia couldn't

did she feel like Damian Blackwo

reaking Sophia's concentration. She looked up to see

ending a lot of time on this one painting," E

to reveal. But something about E

something," Sophia said, her

narrowed. "

. "I'm not sure yet," she said, her voice cautious. "But I

"I don't know what you're talking

of something in Elena's eyes.

" Sophia said, her voice neutr

softened slightly.

to reveal. But something about E

ves," Sophia said, her voice firm. "I need to

not sure that's possible,"

. She had been coun

changed. She nodded, a smal

w. "But you have to be careful, Sophia. The Blackw

a beat. What secrets

rned and walked away, leaving Soph

orridors of the estate, she couldn't shake off the feelin

ning the intricate details. The woman's dress,

ed something peculiar. A small, almost imp

es locked on the mark. It lo

to process what she was seeing

possibilities. As she continued her analysis, Sophia couldn't

was going to ch

breaking Sophia's concentration. She looked up to

rchives," Elena said, her voice low.

a beat. What did Elen

ophia asked, he

ise me you'll be careful. The secrets in those

n her chest. She was ready to uncov

Sophia said,

folder, a small smile

d, her voice barely above a whi

away, leaving Sophia to uncover the s