?<strong>Chapter 429:</strong>


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    As whispers filled the room, Allison calmly withdrew her hand and addressed the group. “This is Keanu Stevens. The painting Lotus Pond Serenity belongs to him, but it has been damaged and needs restoration.” She wasted no timeying out the situation.


    “Roderick, I need your assistance.”


    Without any unnecessary small talk, Allison got straight to the point with her request.


    Roderick smiled warmly. “I figured you’d be short-handed, so I brought a few skilled people along. Choose whoever you need.”


    The crowd stood in stunned silence. Was this real? Not only had Roderick arrived, but behind him were several other prominent figures from the restoration world, masters whose names were revered and whom no one in the room ever expected to meet.


    Some of the onlookers began to feel a sharp sting of regret. “Did we offend Ms. rke earlier?”


    It was bing clearer who was truly in control. Several people, particrly those who had previously disrespected Louis, seized the opportunity to mock him.


    “See? Some people always look down on others, and now they’ve brought disgrace on themselves.”


    Louis, unable to respond, turned red with embarrassment. When he tried to greet Roderick, the master didn’t even acknowledge him, making it painfully obvious how irrelevant Louis had be.


    What shocked everyone even more was how eagerly the other masters offered to assist Allison.


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    “So, Ms. rke is Master rke? What an honor to meet you,” one of them said.


    “I’m excellent at color removal. May I assist you?” another chimed in.


    “I specialize in replication!” a third boasted. “I’m skilled in repairs!” added yet another.


    All of them, seasoned experts, were practically begging to help.


    It was almost surreal to watch—older, well-respected men, humbling themselves to offer their expertise to someone much younger.


    Allison, her focus unwavering, responded without hesitation, “Just call me Allison, no need for formalities.”


    With smooth precision, she began assigning tasks. “You, handle the restoration of the nts and the birds. Roderick, help me with the colors…” She worked efficiently, distributing tasks with ease.


    Therge mahogany table quickly became crowded with the experts, leaving Louis with no space to even nce at the work in progress.


    Mny, visibly upset, whispered to Louis, “When did Allison meet Mr. Astley? And she seems to know more about restoration than I thought. Could she actually be a professional?”


    The sight was so unsettling for her that she almost wished she could tear the painting apart with her bare hands.


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