They would offer one painting, and they would keep Evelyn’s identity private until the bidding ended.

“No interviews,” Evelyn insisted. “No story about the divorce. No tragic-wife marketing.”

Celeste nodded. “The work will enter the room before your biography does.”

The auction was set for four days before Evelyn’s final divorce hearing. Daniel saw advertisements for the mysterious painting but paid little attention.

Lauren, despite working in the gallery world, had not been invited to the private preview, and the secrecy irritated her.

“Probably another manufactured sensation,” she said over dinner.