Chapter 422: Chapter 422

Chapter 422:

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Meanwhile, Allison seemed oblivious to Melany’s verbal jabs, her eyes following a clown performing tricks nearby, utterly detached from the tension swelling in the room. If Melany hoped to push her out of the spotlight, she was blind to a crucial truth — when it came to relic restoration, all the boasting in the world wouldn’t hide incompetence.

Without real talent, anyone would be exposed the moment they started working.

Just then, the leader of the restoration team, a man with salt-and-pepper hair and an air of professionalism, stepped forward. “Sir,” he said respectfully, addressing Keanu. “Would it be possible for us to inspect the painting’s damage up close?”

After a long pause, Keanu nodded, allowing them access. For the sake of the painting, he could only hope for a miracle from them.

The man introduced himself as Louis Sugden, and with delicate precision, he began examining the artwork, his magnifying glass moving slowly over the surface. After a few tense moments, he lifted his gaze, meeting Keanu’s eyes. “It’s quite unfortunate,” he said, shaking his head slightly. “This painting is hiding another beneath it.” He sighed and added, “With the resources we have, it will be impossible to fully restore it. Even with the best efforts, we can only hope to salvage sixty percent.”

The words hit Keanu like a hammer, his heart seeming to fracture under the weight of the news.

“If you want more than that,” Louis continued somberly, “you’d need the world’s top restoration experts. At best, they might recover eighty or ninety percent.”

Keanu staggered slightly, his breath coming in shallow gasps.

At his age, there were few things left in this world that held true meaning for him. The painting was one of the few tangible connections he had left to the past, to memories he had long cherished. It was a lifeline, keeping him anchored during the long, lonely nights.

Allison, sensing his distress, moved closer, her hand resting lightly on his arm in silent support. But she said nothing. She was waiting for him to gather his thoughts.

Keanu let out a heavy sigh, his shoulders slumping. “Maybe it’s just fate.” He gave Allison’s hand a gentle pat, the silent gesture telling her not to worry. “Do what you can,” he instructed the team.

A cold silence descended on the room as Louis signaled his team to begin work.

They moved swiftly, their movements efficient, as they aimed to finish the restoration as quickly as possible.

But they had barely started when a calm voice interrupted the proceedings. “You can’t use such a rough technique to clean the discoloration. If you want to preserve the original details, you’ll need a more delicate approach, something that absorbs the damage without stripping away the history beneath.”

Then an awkward silence enveloped the room. Allison hadn’t intended to speak up, but watching them mishandle such a fragile piece of art was unbearable.

Louis turned sharply, scrunching his face. “And who, exactly, do you think you are to question my methods?” He was practically fuming as his gaze bore into her, bristling at the challenge to his authority.

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