The room's attention shifted to Dallas, following Sadie's urgent gesture.Dallas was caught off guard, not expecting to be thrust into the spotlight."Who is this?" Rocky asked, eyeing the unexpected volunteer.Sadie tilted her chin up a notch. "He's a restorer at my brother's gallery. Sure, he's no match for my great-uncle's talent, but he's got plenty of experience. Fixing up a painting for you? Piece of cake."Yash's brow creased in annoyance. Sadie should not have put Dallas down like that, not in front of everyone.Yash pointed a finger at Sadie, but the words just would not come out.Dallas did not seem to take offense. He knew he was not the best.However, fixing it was another story.That was being streamed worldwide. If he botched the painting on live TV, the backlash would be like a tidal wave of ridicule.Dallas tried to smile it off, ready to decline, but Sadie was already by his side, gripping his arm. "Turn this down, and you and your apprentice can forget about
Madeline could not have been more than twenty-something, fresh out of college, maybe not even done with grad school.How on earth could she have the skills to restore that masterpiece?If she touched it, she would probably just wreck it for good.After all, it was the 'The Four Seasons'—Mandoria's claim to fame, a legendary oil painting whose worth was beyond any price tag."Don't get ahead of yourself, young lady. Better let Mr. Scott handle it.""Yeah! Let Mr. Scott take over!"Anyone who knew Dallas knew he had the magic touch.He was the only one, besides Yash, who could actually save the painting.Yash had his vast knowledge, but Dallas had the hands-on experience and the keen eye.The crowd shot Madeline looks of skepticism, all echoing the call for Dallas.Sadie shot Madeline a venomous look. "Don't mess this up."If they started hounding Yash again, and his health took a dive, she would never let Madeline off the hook.Sadie reassured Dallas, "Mr. Scott, go for it.
The smile on Rocky's face froze over.He eyed Madeline skeptically. "I wasn't aware that you had become an expert in art restoration, Mrs. Gibson."Madeline smiled modestly. "I know a thing or two. It's hardly a skill. Mr. Scott showed me a few tricks, enough to handle a painting."Rocky's face darkened. "Mrs. Gibson, aren't you afraid your big talk will come back to bite you? Everyone else is too scared to try, and here you are, barely trained, and already boasting! Don't meddle if you're not up to it and risk ruining my painting!"Madeline's laughter rang out again. "Mr. James, you don't quite get Mandoria's culture, do you? Mandorians are masters of modesty. Mr. Yash Ferguson and Mr. Scott was just being courteous. Nothing is truly beyond repair, right?""Right, Mr. Scott?" Madeline added.Caught off guard, Dallas stroked his beard and put on a show of contemplation. "Well, I'm only somewhat confident. Just a tad."Dallas was honestly a bit on edge, but with Madeline framing
Rocky did not skip a beat, pressing on with his story."Who would've thought? With a crowd of nearly five hundred, including a host of esteemed masters, not one stepped up to the plate to save this masterpiece. Hahaha!"That laugh was a cocktail of contempt, fully savored by those around him.They shot him looking sharp as knives."Okay, okay. The painting was in bad shape, and the masters were too chicken to touch it, afraid they'd botch it up even worse. I get it."I was about to throw in the towel. If Mandoria's finest couldn't handle it, what was I, just a visiting businessman, supposed to do? However, out of the blue, someone rose to the challenge."Rocky's narrative shifted as the camera settled on Madeline's face.A portrait of serenity and detachment filled the screen."There's a saying in Mandoria, 'A newborn calf isn't scared of tigers.' Mrs. Gibson, green and unseasoned, stepped right up."He went on and on, basically suggesting that the clueless Madeline was playin
"Ridiculous!"In Galloway Villa, Riley snatched the tablet from Yanely, her eyes immediately locking onto Madeline on the screen.There she was, poised with a delicate brush, meticulously removing the stubborn stains from the silk painting.Yanely remarked, "They say that painting's a treasure worth over seventy-five million dollars. Madeline put her word on the line, vowing to pay back every penny if she can't restore it."Madeline could not possibly cover such a sum. It would inevitably fall to the Gibsons to foot the bill."How dare she?!"Riley's face, fresh from a beauty treatment, contorted with anger.Trevon had cut off her own spending money to funnel it into Madeline's hands, but surely it was not for Madeline to just throw it away, was it?That could not stand.Riley was at her wit's end, so she grabbed Yanely and made for the door."Come on. We're going to see your grandmother."However, Cooper suddenly walked in, a jar of freshly mixed massage cream in hand. "No
Riley could not fathom why Edith seemed almost proud of what should have been a disgrace."That's the Gibson family's name being dragged through the mud!"Edith just gave a knowing smile as she thought, 'That's the kind of woman she was.'Edith beckoned Ryan closer. "I heard from Trevon about the smart chip deal with the government. They haven't given the green light yet?"Ryan nodded. "That's the situation.""Give them a call, get someone to polish up the proposal, and have a real sit-down with the government folks."Ryan got the message.Edith was not just unfazed by Madeline blowing through cash. She was seizing it as an opportunity, already buzzing with plans to wheel and deal.Riley was furious as she folded her arms and declared, "Mom. I don't care how you see it. I can't let Trevon marry a woman like that. The minute Trevon gets back, I'm pushing for a divorce."With that, she stormed out.Felicia watched Riley leave with a mix of frustration and resignation in her eye
"Trevon," Lydia whispered, her voice a mix of hope and fear as she rushed to his side.Trevon was groggy, his mind struggling to catch up with reality. After a moment, his memories clicked into place.Lydia clung to his hand, tears streaming down her face. "Trevon, you're awake. Oh, you scared me half to death. Promise me, no more scares."Her sobs filled the room.Trevon's eyes met hers, and a wave of relief washed over him. As he saw she was safe, he turned to Daniel, acknowledging his presence with a tired nod.Lydia's eyes widened in shock as she gazed at him, struggling to believe what she was seeing.Daniel quickly moved closer. "Mr. Gibson, what do you need?"Trevon's voice was strained, each word laced with pain. "If I... The receipts in my wallet, once you've got the item, make sure you give it to Madeline yourself."Daniel paused, the image of the pink diamond necklace Trevon had ordered flashing in his mind.Was Trevon preparing for the worst, putting his final wish
Lydia was not the only one watching the live stream. Stephen and Andrew caught it on TV too.Andrew had stumbled upon a photo of Madeline in Stephen's files just yesterday and recognized her instantly.As the broadcast spewed insults, Andrew's face turned to stone. "Stephen, find out what's happening now!"Stephen was concerned. Without needing to be told twice, he was already on the phone, seeking answers from back home.The report from home only stoked the flames of his anger—furious at Rocky's calculated moves against Yash, at Sadie's antics during the conference, and even more at Sadie for keeping him in the dark, leaving him no chance to intervene.The broadcast had been running for nearly ten hours, and there was no easy way to cut it short.Andrew's rage boiled over. "Rocky's crossed the line!"Stephen nodded, his resolve hardening. He dialed another number."Take those two fakes we've got and get them to Rocky's auction. Once it's done, let the world know they're nothin