Restoring a Life After Seven Years of Wrong Love novel Chapter 44

Yvette stood before the table, her eyes scanning the painting with profound intensity.

Restorers were often referred to as "physicians of antiquities."

When receiving a piece, the very first step was the diagnosis. They had to assess the type of decay, the extent of the damage, and the aging of the materials—much like a medical consultation.

Next came the prescription: mixing the specialized paste, mold-removal agents, and color-fixing solutions, tailoring the treatment to the specific "disease."

Then came the treatment itself: patching holes, backing the canvas, color filling, and seamlessly connecting broken brushstrokes—akin to surgical sutures and applying medicine.

Finally, the post-care: deacidification and sealing it in a moisture-proof environment.

Gareth had already completed the backing removal. The next step was to repair the structural damage.

But before that could begin, all residual paper scraps and lint needed to be meticulously cleared away.

She leaned over, using her fingers to gently and methodically clear the microscopic debris, her movements seasoned and incredibly precise.

Gareth looked at her with a hint of newfound respect.

She knew what she was doing. However, this was just foundational work; it didn't prove much on its own.

By the time she finished clearing the debris, an hour had passed.

Yvette did a final check, confirming there was no other hidden structural damage before straightening up.

Gareth watched her silently, making no move to intervene.

Yvette pivoted and began searching for ancient paper that perfectly matched the thickness and texture of the original piece.

Once the paper was selected, it was time for color matching. She glanced at the painting on the table and gathered ochre, cinnabar, and other pigments to begin mixing.

She expertly formulated a shade that was nearly indistinguishable from the original, and then the actual patching began.

Her restoration technique was nothing short of breathtaking—fast, precise, and entirely ruthless in its efficiency.

Gareth, who had been standing off to the side looking completely indifferent, widened his eyes in shock.

Whether it was sourcing the exact match of ancient paper or blending the colors, her speed was blinding. And her pacing during the actual patching rivaled his own!

No, it was even faster.

What was truly terrifying was that despite her breakneck speed, her precision hadn't dropped a single percentage point!

"You..." Gareth stammered, his face a mask of absolute disbelief.

How was this possible? Didn't she just have a Bachelor's degree?

How on earth did she possess such masterful, god-tier restoration skills?

Yvette didn't answer. Gareth immediately understood it was a master whose identity was meant to be kept secret.

"I understand."

From that point on, Yvette and Gareth worked on the painting together as equals.

They were completely absorbed in the work until eight-thirty that evening.

Gareth was already in his forties. He straightened up, massaging his lower back to stretch his stiff muscles.

"Mr. Raymond, you should head home and rest. I've got it from here."

Even after a day of incredibly high-intensity labor, Yvette's hands were moving just as quickly and steadily as they had that morning.

"Hmph," Gareth glared playfully, refusing to admit defeat. "I'm not as frail as you think."

Yvette just smiled and didn't push the issue.

The two worked straight through until eleven o'clock that night before finally leaving.

For the next week, Yvette arrived at the Azure Atelier at six-thirty every morning and didn't leave until eleven at night, sometimes even later.

Seeing how relentlessly hard she was working, the other restorers at the Azure Atelier naturally refused to be left behind.