Chapter 426: Chapter 426

Chapter 426:

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Louis squinted hard. Was this all just a trick? Maybe she had simply learned this part somewhere and wasn’t a true expert.

“So you know the basics of restoration,” he said, his voice loud and defensive. “But that’s not enough to bring this painting back to life. It takes more than just technique. It requires artistry and professional knowledge.”

Allison didn’t even look at him. She didn’t need to.

Her focus was absolute, her movements fluid, as if she were a painter working on a blank canvas. Every stroke, every lift of her tool, was smooth and precise.

Louis’ patience began to fray with each passing second. Watching her work with such ease was infuriating. When she reached for the brush to fill in a missing patch of color, it was too much for him to bear.

“Stop!” he shouted.

He rushed forward and grabbed her wrist, pulling her away from the canvas. “My standards won’t let me stand by and watch you ruin this painting!”

Louis spoke through clenched teeth, his frustration barely masked. “I’ll admit, you’re skilled and have a solid grasp of restoration techniques. But let’s be real — what you’re doing is still just a hobby. To restore this painting to over ninety percent accuracy, we’ll need the expertise of Mr. Astley.”

There was something that felt off to him. Allison’s technique wasn’t just decent; it was on par with that of a seasoned master. Still, for Louis, the only thing that mattered was overshadowing her, regardless of her talent.

Ignoring the reactions around him, Louis turned toward Colton. “Mr. Stevens, my assistant found out that Mr. Astley was in Ontdale just a few days ago. It would be wonderful if you could reach out and invite him over. He’s the one who can bring this painting back to its full potential.” He stressed his point further. “The longer we wait, the harder it will be to restore the painting.”

Colton nodded without hesitation. “I’ll handle it.”

Given the Stevens family’s esteemed reputation in Ontdale, combined with the right amount of sincerity and financial incentive, Colton felt confident he could convince the renowned master restorer, Roderick Astley, to make an appearance.

Melany chimed in, “Exactly, Allison. Don’t act impulsively. If the painting is ruined, there won’t be another chance to restore it properly. Let’s wait for the master.”

But Allison remained unbothered. Hearing that Roderick was in Ontdale brought a small, knowing smile to her lips. “Roderick, huh? Well, I wouldn’t mind seeing him again.” She paused, stretching her wrist and leaning back in her seat, taking a moment to relax.

The others, however, weren’t impressed. A few scoffed, and Louis clicked his tongue in mock disbelief. “Oh, sure. Everyone wants to meet the master.”

Melany couldn’t resist speaking up. “Colton, I have a friend who owns an art gallery. She mentioned that she has Mr. Astley’s contact info. Maybe we can try reaching out through her?”

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