The Wrong Woman

Nathan and Cameron followed the sound to the living room, only to find it empty. They realized the noise was coming from Mila's studio and hurried over to see what was happening. The door was left open. The studio was filled with paintings hanging on the walls and some propped against the floor.

Fenna crouched down, feigning nervousness as she attempted to lift a sizable painting from the ground. She said sheepishly, "Sorry, Nate. I accidentally knocked over this painting."

Nathan's face darkened, while Cameron hurried to help Fenna lift the painting. Yet, as they lifted it, Cameron's complexion drained of color, and he stood frozen in disbelief.

On the four-foot square wooden board lay a portrait painted by Mila, depicting her family of three. However, it was marred by splatters of black ink.

Cameron's voice rang out in dismay. "How could you damage someone else's painting?"

Fenna's expression fell as she gestured toward the spilled ink on the floor, explaining, "I didn't mean to. I was just exploring and accidentally bumped into this painting. It fell and knocked over the ink on the floor."

Cameron nervously glanced at the spilled ink, then shifted his gaze to Nathan's somber visage. "Nate, I'm truly sorry. How can we make this right with the painting?"

Nathan's hands were tucked in his pockets as his expression soured, his anger simmering. He had no idea Mila was painting a family portrait of them in the studio, let alone see the finished painting. And now it was ruined.

usual carefulness and

told Cameron. "Fenna is 26, not 16. She needs to own up

fault. I was just being careless," Fenna

careless, huh? Or was it on purpose? You

the studio slowly, his gaze falling sadly upon the painting they had just lifted. A sharp pang

the effort

expression hardened as he spoke firmly,

taken aback.

you destroyed is

but seriously? I didn't mean to do it. Plus, who would value such simple paintings at a million? Who are you

this is too much. Wanda is a well-known philanthropic artist in

painting went for tens of millions at auction and is showcased in museums. Why would you damage