The Billionaire Came for the Famous Curator—But Couldn’t Take His Eyes Off Her Quiet Sister
Chapter 10
Adrian’s mansion had been empty for months.
His primary residence was in New York, but the Chicago property still contained many possessions inherited from his father.
They arrived just before midnight.
The painting was not in the main collection.
Lena searched every room.
Nothing.
Then she remembered Richard’s warning.
Don’t search logically.
She walked into Edward Black’s old study.
The walls were lined with books.
She pulled out one.
Nothing.
Another.
Nothing.
Then she noticed a painting hanging upside down.
A landscape.
It looked worthless.
She touched the frame.
The wood was newer than the canvas.
“Adrian.”
He joined her.
They removed it.
Behind it was a hidden compartment.
Inside was a small Renaissance panel.
Lena gasped.
“This is it.”
The stolen painting.
The one that had destroyed both families.
Adrian stared at it.
“My father kept it.”
“No.”
Lena examined the back.
“Someone used this painting to store something.”
She found a small compartment.
Inside was a memory card.
They opened it.
Edward Black appeared on video.
He looked older than Adrian remembered.
“If you’re watching this, I failed.”
Adrian sat down.
His father’s voice continued.
“Victor Ashford built an international network for stolen art. Richard and I discovered it.”
The video continued.
“We tried to expose him.”
Then Edward revealed the truth.
Ashford had infiltrated museums, galleries, auction houses, and private collections.
He manipulated provenance.
He bribed officials.
He threatened witnesses.
And when Richard refused to cooperate, Ashford framed him.
Edward tried to save Richard.
But someone inside Edward’s own company betrayed him.
That person had access to every file.
The video paused.
Then Edward spoke again.
“The traitor is—”
The screen went black.
Lena stared.
“No.”
Adrian’s phone buzzed.
A message.
Come to the Whitmore Gallery. Alone.
Attached was a photograph of Isabelle.
She was tied to a chair.
Lena grabbed Adrian’s arm.
“They took her.”
Adrian immediately called the police.
But the message included another warning.
If police arrive, she dies.
Lena shook her head.
“We have to go.”
Adrian looked at her.
“No.”
“She’s my sister.”
“And you’re exactly what they want.”
“Then we go together.”
He looked into her eyes.
He knew she was right.
They drove to the gallery.
The building was dark.
Inside, they found Isabelle tied in the center of the main exhibition hall.
Victor Ashford stood behind her.
He smiled.
“Mr. Black.”
Adrian stepped forward.
“Let her go.”
Ashford laughed.
“After eighteen years?”
He looked at Lena.
“You look exactly like your father.”
Lena’s voice was steady.
“And you look exactly like the man who ruined him.”
Ashford’s smile disappeared.
“You found the painting.”
Adrian stiffened.
“How do you know?”
“Because Edward Black always believed his son was too sentimental to understand what he inherited.”
He stepped closer.
“Your father didn’t destroy me.”
He smiled.
“He built me.”
