?Chapter 953:


    Magnus caught her meaning instantly. She was hinting that he might pick up some of her techniques during the process. Even a bit of her restoration expertise would be invaluable.


    He pondered for a moment before asking, “How many people do you need?”


    He knew a widework of restorers, many of them his own students. If they could absorb even a sliver of Christina’s expertise, their futures would be far brighter.


    “Arrange as many as you see fit, and I’ll assign their tasks,” Christina replied.


    “Alright!” Magnus agreed at once, worried that any dy might cost him the opportunity.


    “If there’s nothing further, let’s bring this to a close,” Margot announced.


    “Wait!” Brendon stepped forward, disbelief written across his face. “You’re all convinced after just a few words from Christina?”


    “Do you still doubt her restoration skills? The oil painting Half-Faced Warrior is proof enough,” Magnus snapped, his tone edged with irritation.


    Christina’s lips curved into a faint smile as her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint shing there. “Do you still insist I prove my skill right now?”<fn9db0> Content originallyes from find?novel</fn9db0>


    Ynda chimed in softly, “Christina, real skill isn’t just about words; you need to show it through actions.”


    “Didn’t I already say I would prove it by restoring the Jasgow mural? Isn’t that sufficient?” Christina retorted sharply, her patience thinning.


    “But the resultes so far in the future. Who will remember it by then? I only want you to show your skills now because you might face criticism behind your back, and that could tarnish your reputation.” Ynda’s tone was gentle, her concern carefully staged.


    Christina fixed her with a frosty stare. “Fine! I was trying to spare you some dignity, but if you insist on pushing, don’t me me for telling the truth.”


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    Brendon’s arm shot out instinctively, pulling Ynda to his side and shielding her. His gaze never left Christina, sharp and wary, as if she might snap and lunge at any second. “What are you trying to pull?” he asked, his voice low, eyes narrowed.


    Christina studied Brendon—hovering protectively like an overgrown mother hen—and a cold, mocking smile curled her lips. If she truly wanted to get to Ynda, Brendon wouldn’t be able to stop her.


    Instead, Christina turned to Margot, her expression shifting in an instant to something deadly serious. “Mrs. Scott,” she said evenly, “someone gave you a counterfeit.”


    Her words hung in the air, sharp and heavy. A counterfeit for Margot’s birthday gift? Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Who would dare?


    “A counterfeit? From who?” Margot’s brows shot up. Was Christina implying the Dawson family? She had mentioned sparing their dignity earlier… But the painting in question—Eyes from Heaven—hadn’t looked like a fake at all. And swapping it? Unthinkable.


    Before Christina could borate, Brendon stormed forward. His hand mped around her wrist, dragging her toward him. “Christina!” he snapped, his eyes zing. “Are you trying to smear me because I exposed you as a fraud—someone who isn’t even a real artifact restorer?”


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