Chapter 273: Identity Revealed in Public, Slapping the Scumbag Brother!

Chapter 273: Chapter 273: Identity Revealed in Public, Slapping the Scumbag Brother!

After inspecting the damage on the Ancient Painting, Sienna Everett finally looked up.

Chief Ford asked anxiously, "How is it? Can it still be saved?"

Director Jarvis, Miles Everett, and the other Restorers in the room all looked toward Sienna Everett, their eyes filled with a mixture of tension and anticipation.

’It has to be possible!’

’If even Winchester—even Victor Tate’s granddaughter—can’t save it, then this Ancient Painting is truly and utterly ruined!’

’It would be a catastrophic loss for the world of historical artifacts!’

Sienna Everett looked at the damaged painting, The maple forest is dyed in autumn colors. It was a piece her grandfather had deeply cherished in his lifetime, one he never stopped thinking about. Moreover, it was scheduled to be displayed at the state banquet next week.

It held great significance, for both professional and personal reasons.

Sienna Everett looked up at Chief Ford, her eyes shimmering. Her voice was crisp and clear. "It’s a bit tricky. It will take some time."

Upon hearing her words, an irrepressible look of delighted surprise appeared on Chief Ford’s stern face. "So you’re saying you can restore this Ancient Painting, is that right?"

Sienna Everett gave a slight nod.

Receiving Sienna Everett’s confirmation, Director Jarvis finally let out the breath he’d been holding. "The painting is so severely damaged, it’s bound to take time. We’re just grateful you’re willing to help restore it!"

The other Restorers were overjoyed. "Miss Everett, it doesn’t matter if it takes time! We’ll stay right here. We can learn a thing or two from you!"

"That’s right, Miss Everett! If you need an assistant or any help at all, just let us know!"

"Exactly! We’re ready whenever you need us!"

Sienna Everett’s lips curved into a smile. "Alright. I’ll keep that in mind."

Miles Everett stared blankly at Sienna Everett. When he heard that she was willing to restore the Ancient Painting, his eyes stung, and he had to fight back the urge to cry.

He wasn’t so narcissistic as to think Sienna was restoring the Ancient Painting for his sake.

After all, from start to finish, Sienna hadn’t so much as glanced at him. In her eyes, he probably had less presence than a complete stranger.

He was a Restorer. The one thing he couldn’t bear was to see an artifact ruined by his own hands. That was the most agonizing form of torment imaginable.

Now that Sienna was able to save this Ancient Painting from the brink of destruction, how could he not be moved?

’Sienna Everett...’

Miles Everett silently repeated the name in his mind, drawing out each syllable.

He had never truly paid Sienna any mind before, but at this very moment, his eyes followed her uncontrollably.

The Restorers in the room, along with Chief Ford and Director Jarvis, were all watching with great interest, eager to see how Sienna would restore the Ancient Painting.

Ophelia Warren was left awkwardly in a corner, completely ignored by everyone.

Miles Everett and Ophelia Warren had already removed the painting’s backing paper. Now, Sienna picked up a pair of tweezers and began to remove the second layer, the primary lining paper.

The onlookers held their breath, and the room fell completely silent.

Anyone familiar with artifact restoration knew that the primary lining paper was far more difficult to remove than the backing paper. One careless slip could damage the Ancient Painting—the margin for error was practically nonexistent.

Yet, the crowd saw that Sienna’s technique was exceptionally refined. Her movements were flawless from start to finish as she deftly peeled away the primary lining paper.

The adoration in the other Restorers’ eyes was palpable, and they couldn’t help but whisper among themselves.

"If we’d known, we never should have let Miles Everett and Ophelia Warren touch this painting in the first place. Then they wouldn’t have made the damage even worse."

"Exactly. If Miss Everett had been the one to restore it from the start, this whole mess would have been avoided."

"Sigh. It’s too late for what-ifs now. Thank goodness Sienna has a way to salvage it!"

Listening to their criticisms, Miles was too ashamed to feel anger or humiliation. He simply stared at Sienna without blinking.

Ophelia Warren, on the other hand, gritted her teeth. Never before had she been so relentlessly mocked and despised.

Restoring an ancient painting requires immense concentration. Sienna didn’t pay attention to her surroundings, instead focusing on the holes in the paper. Fortunately, the damage was in the painting’s negative space, so no inpainting would be necessary; she only needed to mend the tears.

To repair such holes seamlessly, it’s best to use paper similar to that of the original painting.

Museums generally keep large collections of old, historical paper, so finding a piece from a vintage close to that of the Ancient Painting wouldn’t be difficult.

Sienna first cleaned away the fine debris and paper fragments from the damaged area. Then, using a sharp blade, she carefully scraped a one- to two-millimeter bevel along the edge of the tear—a task that required immense patience and a steady hand. Next, she dipped a fine brush into a pre-mixed thin paste and gently applied the Xuan paper patch...

Chief Ford watched Sienna work, step by step. Her calm, collected, and masterful composure, that ineffable aura that radiated from within, deepened his admiration for her. ’I wonder if this young woman is seeing anyone,’ he thought.

’If she isn’t, I’d like to introduce my friend’s grandson to her...’

’It would be a fine match, a wonderful story indeed.’

After mending the two holes, the most important task remaining was to address the long tear—the one made by either Miles or Ophelia.

The sight of the tear made the crowd’s anger flare up again.

"Who on earth did this? They don’t even have the guts to admit it, just shirking responsibility!"

"I have a feeling it was Miles Everett."

"Don’t worry. Director Jarvis said they’ll check the security footage later. The culprit won’t get away with it!"

Sienna switched to a different tool. She used a fine-pointed awl to carefully uncurl and flatten the paper along the tear. Then, she gently applied a thin layer of paste with a brush and affixed narrow, three-millimeter paper splints to the back for reinforcement...

Throughout the restoration, Keith Sterling stood guard at her side. With every move Sienna made, a single thought flashed through his mind: ’Holy shit.’ ’Holy shit, you can do that?’ ’Holy shit, that’s another way to do it?’ ’Holy shit, what is that?’ It was a truly eye-opening experience.

By the time the Ancient Painting was mostly restored, Keith Sterling finally understood why Sienna had said it would take some time.

She had been working nonstop from ten in the morning until the sky outside was completely dark!

When Sienna stood up, her shoulders were aching.

"All right. The restoration is complete."

She let out a soft sigh.

It was no exaggeration to say that the other Restorers had been watching Sienna’s every move. The moment they heard her say it was finished, they excitedly crowded around to look at the painting.

"Miss Everett, you’re unbelievable! To be able to restore a painting this badly damaged... and the repair is absolutely perfect!"

"This must be what The maple forest is dyed in autumn colors looked like in ancient times. We’re seeing the same painting they saw."

"Miss Everett, I learned so much watching you today! Do you take on apprentices? Please take me as your student..."

Director Jarvis looked at the restored Ancient Painting, his joy plain to see. Thank goodness he had invited Sienna over. Otherwise, the painting would have been truly lost, and he would have been unable to answer to his superiors.

Now that the Ancient Painting was restored, it could be displayed at the state banquet next week as planned!

Chief Ford raised a hand and, to everyone’s surprise, gave Sienna a formal salute. His voice boomed, "Young woman, thank you!"

Sienna quickly replied, "You’re too kind, sir."

Keith Sterling was stunned. For an old chief of such high rank and advanced age to break protocol and salute Sierra—it was a clear sign of his immense gratitude!

When Ophelia Warren saw this, a flicker of deep shock and resentment crossed her eyes. ’If I had been the one to restore the Ancient Painting, all of this glory would have been mine...’

Ignored off to the side, Miles Everett watched as Sienna was showered with praise and thanks. His heart clenched. ’She’s spoken to so many people,’ he found himself hoping, ’couldn’t she at least look at me once?’

But from beginning to end, Sienna never once looked his way.

"Settle down, everyone! Settle down!" Director Jarvis clapped his hands, his tone growing serious. "Thanks to Miss Everett’s help, the Ancient Painting is finally restored. We are all deeply grateful to Miss Sienna Everett."

"However, regarding the initial restoration attempt... as for who damaged the Ancient Painting, whether it was Miles Everett or Ophelia Warren, we’re going to check the security footage right now!"