CHAPTER SIXTEEN – THE ROAD TO PARIS 

Over the next few days leading up to the official exhibition opening, Jasmine based in a state of decermined cranquility, calmly walking each newwave of attendees through her pikes de renkatance and fielding the dawning prabe with humble gratitude. 

Linda’eering critique faded into an afterthought, rendered irrelevant by the swell of ebullient exaltations heaped upon Jasmine by viewers and critics alike 

The night before the grand opening pala, Jasmine treated herself to akcio, recharging evening at her favorite spa, determined culminational years of perseverance. 

pristine condiziona celebrate the life–defining 

Shipped intoaletteth cole after an invigorating recalyptus body treatment when her phone chimed with a familiar text one. 

to admire your phenomenal work 

“Arst time at the big deber Just wanted to remind you hourly proud amal you and all you’ve achieved. You are inspiration. Can’t wait to admire. In! Love you!” – Claire 

Jasmine fell that familiar upwelling of emotions within her as the typed back her thanks an 

Though things had nimed unspeakably ugly with han, Claire had remained sinadiastly loyal, deemed to upli jasmine rather then let her spiral into the depths of post–divorce 

Her phone chimed again, this time from her mother’umber 

“Hited 1 just wanted you to know that your brother Gabriel and as already have their ticket to fly out to Paris for your grand uning at the Bergstrom! They wouldn’t miss supporting their talented sister’s big debut for anything“: 

Gelining at her mother’s characteristic affuise annisen, Jaurine quickly typed out her appreciate and love, adding that she couldn’t wait for them all to be there. She was just about to slip her phone into her robe pocket when buzzed once more this time from Bech. 

“You ready for the biggest night of your life, art queen? stade sure to pack an extra pair of shades to avoid getting hinded by all the flashing cameras fawning over you!” 

Jaurine chuckled at her friend’s trademark humar. “Thanks for the warning, photo–op prol Can’t wait for you is it all in person finally. In the world having your smiling face in 

With the mesages of encouragement from her closest loved ones banging her spirits, mine unedin barneal right, wage the restorative sleep that awaited before the grandiore celebration 

The following afternoon, Jasmine’s late whichwind of moon as the the transport sm carefully loading her framed pieces into the van that would ferry them to che Termom for final preparations, 

Sabine hadbuzzed twice already, frening over reinute details to ensure everything was presting for the eveningsarmbin 

Beth annived first, sweeping into a 

abertugas she opened the loft dr. “Look at you, famous actiot your 

Jasmine rolled her a good–naturedly as they separated. “You’re getting ahead of yoursell, prima donna Let’s see if the reviews dar tenight’s show nbstantiate that tithe first.” 

“Oh, I have complete faith that you’re about to cement your place among the modem master,” Bethacred her. “Which is why-” 

the degreed toe and produced the ridically–sized novelty sunglasses, plopping one pair on here with a flourish these to avoid getting blinded by all the flashes from the pupazzi” 

Despite berzell, amine dished in laugher there’s anteil always had an uncanny ability to debes any of pre–show itters with her sigrastus humer and lightnam. 

“Speaking of fans. “Beth piped up, “We should probably get move we’re going to make it to the gallery befor your adoring public completely takes over the place.” 

The campert team had just loaded up the list piece, carefully affording the familiar tarp over the cargo ates of the truck. 

Jasmine took one last sweeping look over the space that had borne witness to countless hours of artistic struggle and rebirth, a nostalgic lamp forming in her throat. 

When the returned, her life would be forever listed–for she would be returning is Jasmine Delaciola, the world–renomedicomtemporary master. 

“You rady, ah?” Claire’s gentle voice pulled her from her reverie 

lai ber hazel eyes. 

Squaring her shouldera, Jasmined to face her sister–in–law and dear friend, denomination blazingas b 

“More than ready. Let’s go make himary” 

⠀⠀⠀ The flight from New York to Pacis passed in a giddy blur, with the three women chatting imimatedly, famine soaking in every sunce of support and excited anticipation from her nearest 

All too soon, the looming gran final the pitióe came into view as their tax sakethrough the Packs streets. 

“Here we ace, the big mamera!” Bethaquealed, bouncing giddly in her seat as the driver eased to a smp amid the flashing bulbs of photographers and chattering coved gathered out front. 

Claire laida seating hand on Jasmine’s am as she moveduesitlust. “Yar’ve got this, dis. We’re right behind you every step.” 

Taking a fanitying breath, Jasmine plastered on her most radiant smile and stepped out into the pandemonium. Hashes instantly bordered her as the raised a hand in an elegant weave, colineralement despite the commotion 

Step by step, the descended the breddance to the Bergabe’s orate entranceway, turning periodically to beam at the cameras capturing her every move. 

inside the hushed, marble–accented lobby, Jasmine exhaled slowly, fighting no calm her racing pulse. 

“You weer fantastic out there!” Deth cushed up alongside her, surreptitiously snapping a few photos, other oven. “That’s exactly hour you own a Paris grand opening gala entrance 

Jasmine was about respond when Sabine’s unmistakable tones rang out from across the lobby 

“Jamie Overbele, site!” The chic cat was waving anally, skimming across the inlaid tile with an agitated expression 

Exchanging a puzzled lock with Claire and eth, Jasmine breder, a knot of trepidation forming 

pack “Sabine, what’s going on?erything light? 

The older woman looked as though the was struggling to contain visible distress, her usual prise shaken. “Doma with me, cheie. There has been an incident.” 

Dread mounting, Jasmine followed Sabine’s belakatriden, Beth and Claire huddling close behind as they wound through the rear exhibition spaces un finally emerging into the central atrum galley where Jasmine’s works were on display. 

And that’s when she entire body seized by a cold wave of mouse the sight before her 

I paint obscuring the lovingly layered stakes 

Beaugence, her breathtaking centerpiece masterpiece, had been untecly defaced–Layer upon layer of garishesimson and black splashes of pain beneath in a desertedbur 

mus. Kol” (asmine gasped, saggering beard in disbelief. “My work how how is this possible?? the whirled on Sabine, angashlaring her words “who could have done tha?? 

The clocked equally dricken, grimacing helplessly at the coined commas as her customary composure deserted her. 

“i don’t know, Jasminel When Larved an hour ago to the al preparations, that‘ ‘She swallowedhard. That is how I found your beautiful piece, Completely destroyed.” 

CHAPTER SIXTEEN – THE ROAD TO PARIS 

Claire rashed forward, grasping Jasmine’s elbow to steady her. “Who he could have had access? Was there a breach in security somehow?” 

“No, no!” Sabine shook her head frantically. The Bergantin maintains the highest safeguards! Only my staff, the board, a few select collectors, and of coarse the featured artists themselves are permitted into the exhibition spaces once the works are hung” 

Tears burned in Jasmine’s eyes as she stared in anguished shock at the mangled ruins of what had been her triumphant revival, her spirit embodied on canvas. To have it so callously, maliciously obliterated felt like a shard of ice through her heart 

DUPTER SEVENTEEN–VANDALIZED MASTERPIECE