Chapter 1462
Ellinor had never heard of this painting before. “How did you come across this painting?”
“In a friend’s house. The ink was still wet when I saw it.”
Ellinor’s eyes narrowed with curiosity. “So you think this painting is an original Lady Lotus?”
Balfour solemnly nodded. “Lady Lotus’ style and handwriting could be imitated, but there’s a quirk she had that not many knew about.”
Ellinor, who had vague memories of her mother, looked at Balfour with interest. “What quirk?”
“When she would paint, her grip on the brush was always proper, but once she started signing it, her hand would relax and rest on the paper, so it often picked up some paint.
And when she signed, the paint on her hand would smear next to her signature, forming a C-shaped mark.
Every time, she’d get frustrated and carefully wipe it away. She was afraid to leave a trace, but she’d forget and do it again the next time.
The painting I’ve bought has that same mark next to the signature. That mark wasn’t wiped away, probably because it was a casual piece she did privately.”
At this point, Quinton, who was in the passenger seat, handed Ellinor a framed painting the size of an A4 paper.
“Ms. Mendoza, please have a look.”
Ellinor took it, and sure enough, she saw the mark Balfour mentioned.
Her hands trembled.
That smudge mirrored the fine lines on the side of her hand. If Lady Lotus was still alive, then these lines would match her handprint.
After all these years, she finally saw solid proof that her mother was still alive.
Ellinor looked up at Balfour as her eyes reddened. “Why does your friend have this painting? And the ink hadn’t everydried? Does she know Lady Lotus?” Balfour frowned slightly. “My friend said that the painting was something her art teacher did casually during a home lesson. The teacher had just left when I arrived and left the painting behind.”
Desperate, Ellinor asked, “Did you ask your friend to arrange a meeting with her art teacher?”
Balfour’s eyes darkened. “Of
f course, but unfortunately, I wasn’t able to meet the art teacher. She had gone out sketching with another student, and it wasn’t certain when she would be back. My friend promised to let me know as soon as she returned.”
For the first time, Ellinor reached out and grabbed Balfour’s hand. “When your friend contacts you about the art teacher’s return, please take me with you!”
After noticing that Ellinor’s eyes were red, Balfour tried to comfort her. “Of course, that’s why I came to tell you as soon as I could.”
These past three years have been hard for Ellinor. She was raising three children alone, without her husband. It was as if she was a widow.
Theo had disappeared without a trace. It was likely that he was gone forever. Balfour knew that no matter what he said, Ellinor wasn’t going to let anyone else into her life. All he could do was protect her.
A clue about their mother was a ray of hope for both of them. It was something that Ellinor needed to know sooner rather than later.
Ellinor looked down at the painting again as her gaze softened.
“By the way, Mr. Howard, I’m attending an auction tomorrow. I plan to bid for the land of Blue River Estates under the Blanchet Corporation’s name.
I’ve found out that the owner is a Malloy Reynolds, who also owns a piece of land adjacent to the Blue River Estates that’s not on the market yet. The Blanchet Corporation is interested in that as well.
Do you know this Malloy person? Do you have his contact information?”
