Chapter 43: Hidden Signature
Anna took a deep breath, clenching her fists several times behind her back in an attempt to release some of the tension coiling inside her. Everyone’s eyes were on her, and she wasn’t accustomed to being the center of so much attention.
But when her gaze met William’s dark eyes, something warm spread through her chest, grounding her, giving her the confidence she so desperately needed. With him there, she could breathe.
"There’s something wrong with the bottom left corner of the painting," she finally said, pointing at the area in question. "If you look closely, you’ll notice that the blending technique is inconsistent. The rest of the painting clearly follows a uniform method, but this section... doesn’t."
She paused, briefly meeting Amelie’s gaze, half-expecting her to step in. But Amelie remained silent, her eyes fixed on Anna, urging her to continue. And so, she did.
"This artwork is painted with oil-based paints, but the bottom left corner shows clear signs of a different medium mixed in—wax. You can tell by the way the area doesn’t reflect light as the rest of the painting does. Artists usually stick to one method to maintain consistency, especially when replicating classical styles."
Amelie nodded slowly, her eyes narrowing as she leaned in for a closer look. "Now that you mention it, I do see the difference," she said, her voice tinged with curiosity. "So, what exactly are you suggesting, Ms. Dumas?"
"The spot looks fresh," Anna replied, her voice steady but firm. "I believe Mr. Pierce attempted to cover something up, but didn’t quite manage to get the right mix of paints."
A hushed gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by a tense silence. Amelie, unfazed, turned her gaze back to Anna, her voice cool and probing. "Can you prove it?"
"Yes," Anna nodded, her voice calm. "I’ll just need a cotton swab and a glass of vinegar diluted with water."