Chapter 443: Chapter 443

Chapter 443:

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Then, the cruelest blow landed — a notification on his phone. His team’s group chat had been dissolved.

His co-workers, his supposed allies, were all ordered to abandon the job and return immediately. He was officially cut off, discarded.

“How… how did it come to this?” he muttered

His legs buckled beneath him, leaving him slumped on the floor, too numb to move.

“Enough,” Allison snapped.

She stepped forward, her shadow looming over him. When her gaze met his, it was devoid of any sympathy.

Her eyes were hard, unforgiving. “You treated restoration like a stepping stone, a way to climb higher, instead of seeing it for what it truly is — a craft. A true restorer must be committed, sincere, and utterly devoted to their work. It’s not merely a job, Louis. It’s a calling.”

Her words cut deeper than any reprimand, stripping him bare.

“Do you think you’re worthy of this position?”

His emotional defenses crumbled, leaving him raw and exposed.

He had only wanted to save his job, but now, he realized how deeply he had misunderstood everything.

Allison straightened, brushing off the encounter as if it had been a minor inconvenience. She turned to Keanu, her expression softening just slightly.

“Keanu, the painting is restored. I should be leaving now.”

Keanu’s reluctance was obvious. He shifted his weight, his brows furrowing with disappointment.

“Allison, you’ve done so much for me. At least stay for a meal. I’ve already asked someone to prepare it.”

The last thing she wanted was to linger.

She hesitated, her mind already forming a polite decline when another voice chimed in. “It’s getting late. I’ll take Ms. Clarke back to the company. There’s work that needs attending to.”

Kellan’s offer came smoothly, giving her the perfect excuse.

Allison shot him a grateful glance before turning back to Keanu with an apologetic smile. “Thank you, Keanu, but I have some matters to attend to. Another time, perhaps. I don’t want to impose.”

Without further delay, she turned on her heel, and Kellan followed closely. Roderick and his crew took the cue and quickly made their exit as well, leaving the grand estate eerily quiet.

As Allison and Kellan walked toward the car, the cool night air rustled the leaves, a peaceful contrast to the turmoil that had unfolded. But peace was the last thing Colton felt.

“Allison!” His voice broke through the calm night, and he rushed toward her, his heart pounding with something he couldn’t quite name.

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