The Billionaire Came for the Famous Curator—But Couldn’t Take His Eyes Off Her Quiet Sister
Chapter 5
The truth about the Hart family began with a painting that no longer existed.
In 2007, Richard Hart had been one of Chicago’s most respected art dealers.
He had represented European collectors, advised museums, and built a private collection worth millions.
Then a Renaissance painting disappeared.
The insurance company claimed Richard had orchestrated the theft.
His reputation collapsed overnight.
He lost everything.
The family became a target for reporters.
Isabelle was twenty-two.
Lena was nineteen.
Their mother died months later after years of stress.
Richard followed two years after that.
Before his death, he had given Lena one instruction.
“Never trust the inventory.”
She hadn’t understood.
Until now.
Lena showed Adrian an old ledger.
Every painting Richard owned had been documented.
Except three.
Those three appeared in the official records as sold.
But there were no buyers.
No receipts.
No transfer records.
“They were stolen,” Adrian said.
“Yes.”
“By whom?”
“I think someone inside the art network.”
“Someone powerful.”
Lena nodded.
“Someone who knew exactly how to manipulate provenance.”
Adrian studied the documents.
“Why didn’t Isabelle help?”
Lena’s expression changed.
“She did.”
“Then why were you separated?”
“Because we disagreed about how to fight.”
“What did she want?”
“Silence.”
“And you?”
“Proof.”
Adrian understood.
Isabelle had built a career by becoming the perfect public face of the family.
Lena had disappeared because she refused to pretend everything was fine.
That night, Adrian confronted Isabelle.
“How much did you know?”
She stared at him.
“About what?”
“Your father’s records.”
Her face went cold.
“Lena showed you.”
“Yes.”
“Then she has finally decided to destroy me.”
“Why would she?”
“Because she thinks I betrayed our father.”
“Did you?”
Isabelle looked away.
“I protected my family.”
“That’s not an answer.”
She turned toward him.
“You don’t understand what happened.”
“Then explain.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“Our father was going to expose the people who framed him.”
“And?”
“They threatened Lena.”
Adrian froze.
“How?”
“They followed her. They knew where she went to school. They knew when she left work.”
Isabelle’s voice broke.
“I made a deal.”
“What deal?”
“I agreed to stay quiet.”
Adrian stared at her.
“In exchange for Lena’s safety.”
“Yes.”
“Did it work?”
“For a while.”
He understood.
Isabelle hadn’t been selfish.
She had been afraid.
But fear had a price.
And that price had been the truth.
The next morning, Adrian received another message.
This time there was a document attached.
It showed a transaction between an anonymous holding company and a gallery connected to one of the world’s most powerful art dealers.
At the bottom was a signature.
Isabelle Hart.
Adrian stared at it.
Then Lena called.
“Adrian?”
“Yes?”
“Did you find something?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
“I think your sister has been hiding something from both of us.”
Lena was silent.
“What?”
“The person who framed your father may still be alive.”
“Who?”
Adrian looked at the signature.
“I don’t know yet.”
Then the lights in his office went out.
A second later, his phone received a photograph.
Lena’s apartment.
Taken from across the street.
And beneath it:
Stop digging.
