Restoring a Life After Seven Years of Wrong Love novel Chapter 31

Charlotte withdrew her hand, pulled a wet wipe from her pocket, and began meticulously cleaning her fingers.

Willow’s smile froze.

What was the meaning of this?

Was she disgusted by her?

Noticing Willow's embarrassed expression, Charlotte smiled. "I’m a bit of a germaphobe. Please don't take it personally, Ms. Huxley."

Willow paused before forcing the words out. "I don't mind."

To have the chance to study under the master restorer Raine, she could endure this.

"I have a meeting soon. I'll leave Willow in Mr. Sutton's hands," Jabez said, immediately coming to her defense.

Hearing the protectiveness in his voice, Willow felt a sweet rush of satisfaction.

She flashed Jabez a sickly sweet smile.

Charlotte's eyes darkened as she watched them flaunt their affection.

"Don't worry, Mr. Shelby. We'll take excellent care of Ms. Huxley."

Jabez left.

Matthew and Charlotte led Willow into a restoration studio.

Just as Willow was about to step inside, Charlotte produced a pair of shoe covers out of nowhere.

"Ms. Huxley, please put these on, along with a mask."

Willow's eyes turned cold.

"What is the meaning of this, Ms. Clark?"

Jabez had just made it very clear that they were supposed to look after her.

Weren't they afraid of getting on Jabez's bad side by treating her like this?

"Don't overthink it, Ms. Huxley. You're a Ph.D. graduate who studied abroad, and I can sense your deep reverence for historical artifacts. This is just to showcase your professionalism."

She had neatly backed Willow into a corner with the compliment.

Too embarrassed to refuse, Willow coldly took the shoe covers.

She slipped them on, donned the mask, and walked in.

Matthew had already arranged the restoration tools on the table.

Brushes, towels, tweezers, warm water...

Willow glanced at the painting on the table.

It was the Portraits of Exemplary Women, measuring eighty by forty centimeters.

"To save us both some time, this painting has already been washed. You can start directly with the backing removal," Matthew said, gesturing for her to begin.

A glint of amusement flashed in Willow's eyes.

After the exhibition, she had done her research. The Azure Atelier's practical test always started with cleaning the painting.

She was the first to start straight from the backing removal.

They were clearly doing this to save her time, which was an implicit acknowledgment of her skills.

She picked up the tweezers and bent over to start, but suddenly heard footsteps at the door.

Looking up, she saw the restorers of the Azure Atelier.

She recognized them by the atelier badges they all wore.

Before she could even ask, Charlotte offered a smiling explanation. "Ms. Huxley, as an outstanding restorer, our staff heard you were here and wanted to come observe and learn."

"Someone as gracious and elegant as you wouldn't mind, right?"

Quade Lomax had a bizarre look on his face.

Was Ms. Clark joking?

While Willow's technique was technically flawless, there was nothing remarkable about it.

It was entirely average.

In terms of ranking, she was on the exact same level as him.

An intermediate restorer.

The eager anticipation of the staff surrounding Willow slowly morphed into disappointment.

Time ticked by.

The restorers started sitting down, some even grabbing a coffee.

A few even began chatting in hushed tones.

There was nothing special to learn from her technique, but Ms. Clark had insisted they stay until the end.

Distracted by the chatter, Willow couldn't focus on her work.

An hour later.

Willow put down her tools. "I'm done."

Matthew and Charlotte exchanged a look before stepping up to inspect the painting.

The other employees took one glance and looked away.

Too ordinary.

Matthew waved the staff away, and Willow herself felt she hadn't performed her best.