Chapter 11

This artist's works were usually auctioned for around one million dollars. If it were sold on this street, it could be sold off for approximately half a million dollars instead. Skylar had wanted it to be a birthday present for Sadie. She had never intended to sell it. Skylar walked into an antique store. The owner glanced at her coldly when he saw that she was just a young girl. Antique shop owners had sharp eyes. He could tell immediately that Skylar wasn't there to buy anything. "Excuse me, do you take any antique paintings from 1120 BC?" The owner, Daniel Zeller, raised his head quickly. "An antique painting from 1120 BC?" "Yes." Skylar retrieved the painting from her bag and opened it up in front of the owner. Daniel's eyes widened when he saw that the piece had been restored to near perfection. He knew someone from Jipsburg who liked collecting antique paintings. The person loved paintings from around 1120 BC, but they were rare. It was also rare to see such a badly damaged antique painting restored so perfectly. No flaw could be seen in it at all. Daniel said excitedly, "Name your price! But you have to tell me something, young lady. Who restored this painting?" He had two badly damaged paintings that he had bought at a low price. He had been looking for a restorer, but no one had been willing to take them. They had told him the paintings were too badly damaged. He wasn't worried about the money wasted on the paintings. He just thought it was a pity they were not restored. He couldn't believe this young lady, who'd shown up inadvertently, could solve his problem. "I restored it," Skylar smiled and said. Daniel was surprised. He asked suspiciously, "You were the one who restored it?" She looked really young. Art restoration was not an easy skill. "Yes." Skylar nodded. Daniel observed Skylar closely. He thought to himself, "Young people nowadays tend to make things up. She must be bluffing. Look at how calm and composed she is!" Nonetheless, he was definitely going to buy her painting. "I have two paintings here. I've been looking for restorers to fix them. If they can be restored, I'm willing to pay 500 thousand dollars for each painting. If you know anyone who's interested, please let them know," Daniel said. It would be best if she could bring the person to him. To a restorer that was not industry-certified, 500 thousand dollars was a good sum. It could even buy the painting before him. Skylar was short on money. She was moved by Daniel's offer. "Let me see the paintings." Daniel thought there was no harm in trying anyway, so he took Skylar to see the damaged paintings. They were almost as damaged as the painting she had brought in had been. But back then, she had been very busy, and she had to donate blood regularly. So, it had taken her a longer time to restore that painting. Skylar made her decision and said, "I'll take this job." Daniel realized that Skylar was young and pretty, but she seemed honest. Daniel thought he had nothing to lose anyway. Since no one else was willing to take the job, he might as well let her try. The two of them signed a contract. Daniel took Skylar's painting and paid her 500 thousand dollars. Skylar didn't bargain. The price was fair. Even though it was a 1120 BC painting, it wasn't painted by a famous artist. When Skylar left the antique street, it was already three o'clock in the afternoon. From tomorrow onward, she would visit the store from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm to restore the paintings. She knew that Daniel didn't trust her. His suspicions would be dispelled tomorrow when she started restoring the paintings. She was confident in her skills after learning from Viola all these years. … Joe walked out of Lindfield Airport and took a cab to the branch office. Paul sat next to Joe and opened his notebook. He looked through the materials and contracts he received and consulted Joe when he had questions. A phone call interrupted Paul's consultation. Joe picked up his phone. "Grandma." One could hear Gloria berating him from the other end of the call. "Why are you in Lindfield? I asked you to have dinner with Skye and get to know each other better. "What is so important that you have to attend to it after an accident? Are all Martin Group's employees useless? Can't they let their boss spend some time with his other half?" Even though the car was moving, it was still too quiet. Paul heard everything clearly. He quickly put his head out of the window. He pretended like he hadn't heard anything. He really hadn't heard anything! Joe glanced at Paul and massaged his forehead. "Grandma, Ms. Sullivan is busy too." "Call her 'Skye'. You've registered your marriage. You're husband and wife! 'Ms. Sullivan' makes her sound like a stranger." Gloria was very unhappy with Joe. She feared that his arrogant behavior might scare Skylar away. She'd been watching reality dating shows. She'd always felt like slapping those arrogant male guests. It served them right when the girl they liked chose another person! "I don't care. You should come back quickly once you're done. I think Skye has been hiding some problems. She tries to solve everything herself. I feel for her." Gloria sighed lightly. Joe recalled the condition she'd raised before they had signed the agreement when they were at the courthouse. He'd acutely observed that her problems might have something to do with the Williamses. "Okay. I'll be back soon." After Joe hung up, he looked at Paul. "When you looked Skylar up, was there anything about her relationship with the Williamses?" "The Williamses didn't seem too happy with Ms. Sullivan. Some families close to the Williamses don't even know about her existence," Paul replied frankly. Joe looked like he was deep in thought. Perhaps Skylar had made that condition just because of her unhappiness with the Williamses. Maybe they were just the concerns of a young lady. However, Joe would keep his word since he'd promised her. … Skylar went to the mall to get some daily necessities after leaving the antique street. There was a car dealership next to the mall. She thought of buying a car. As Galaxy Villa wasn't in the city, it was hard to get around without a car. She could purchase a new energy vehicle. They only cost about ten thousand dollars now. As she was in the middle of choosing a car, Skylar saw Christopher and Maisy right outside. Their hands were intertwined, but Maisy looked angry. Christopher was coaxing her. They were quite a sight as they were both good-looking. Passersby looked at them enviously. In contrast, Skylar's expression was cold. The sight of Christopher's familiar and handsome face made their past replay in her head like a movie. Finally, it stopped at the scene of Christopher's and Maisy's hands intertwined together. She raised her phone coldly and took a photo of them without any hesitation.