?Chapter 944:


    A cascade of emotions—shock, disbelief, and admiration—collided within him, rendering him momentarily mute. Whoever had managed to restore this piece was a genius!


    After a long and thorough inspection, Magnus buried his tion and turned to Margot with a serious look. “Could you tell me who restored this oil painting?” Seeing his stern expression, Margot’s heart skipped a beat, assuming that the painting was actually a counterfeit. Her left hand curled into a tight fist, fingernails biting half-moons into her palm, a silent anchor against the storm of exit ns racing through her thoughts.


    The guests, equally convinced of the painting’s falsity, turned toward Christina with eyes full of derision.


    “Didn’t I say this oil painting was a fake? A good-for-nothing like Christina could never locate a restorer more skilled than Mr. Cruz!” Katie’s sneer dripped with venomous satisfaction.


    Brendon took a decisive step forward, parting his lips to defend Christina—only for Ynda’s fingers to mp onto his wrist like iron. She sent him a pointed look before addressing Katie in a tone sweetened with false concern, “Katie, please don’t say that Christina may have been misled by others. I doubt she would intentionally deceive Mrs. Scott with a fake painting.”


    Ynda turned her gaze on Christina, her voice soft yet edged with insinuation. “Christina, you should apologize to Mrs. Scott now. I believe her magnanimity will grant you forgiveness, considering it’s your first offense.”


    The words, draped in the silken guise of defense, had already hammered the final nail into Christina’s coffin of guilt.<fn41d1> ??? ????? ???????s ??? ?????s??? ?? find[?]ovel</fn41d1>


    Misled by the situation and Ynda’s words, the guests instantly jumped into praising Ynda and mocking Christina.


    “How gracious Miss Mitchell is! Even after being insulted by that thankless Miss Jones, she still speaks up for her—yet Miss Jones doesn’t even show gratitude.”


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    “How desperate she must have been, scheming to marry into the Scott family with a fake painting and even spinning such brazen lies. Now, she’s offended the Scott family. She’s done for.”


    “Mrs. Scott, you see, Miss Jones dared to deceive you with a fake painting. May your punishment serve as a warning to all who might disrespect the Scott family.”


    Before Christina could say a word, Magnus’s expression darkened, and his voice thundered through the hall like a temple bell. “Who said anything about this oil painting being a forgery?”


    The sharp words from Magnus fell like a hammer, silencing the crowd instantly. Not a single person dared to utter a word.


    The guests exchanged puzzled nces. What exactly had Magnus meant by that? Could it be that this oil painting was truly an authentic masterpiece? If so, then the Half-Faced Warrior had been restored to perfection.


    Faces across the room froze in shock. Was there truly a restorer in the world whose skill surpassed even Magnus’s own? But why had not even a whisper of this restorer’s name ever reached their ears? This restorer remained aplete mystery.


    Even Margot, usuallyposed, sprang to her feet in astonishment. “Mr. Cruz, are you certain this painting is authentic?” she pressed, seeking confirmation.


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