Skylar listened to their conversation, her expression calm and composed. She didn’t say much but simply reassured them that she could handle the restoration.
“Skye, are you sure there’s still a possibility of restoring this?” Alexander asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Frank turned to look at Skylar as well. In fact, he wasn’t very confident. If even Alexander was doubtful, then restoring the painting seemed nearly impossible. But something about Skylar, despite her relatively young age, gave him a faint sense of hope. She didn’t appear to be someone who could tackle such a difficult task, yet he could see a spark of confidence in her.
Mentally preparing himself for the possibility that the painting couldn’t be saved, Frank felt a pang of helplessness. The idea of ruining such a precious family heirloom, something that had been passed down for generations, filled him with dread. How could he face his ancestors in the afterlife if this was the outcome?
To his surprise, Skylar nodded and said, “I can restore it. Give me another half a month.”
Frank’s eyes widened in shock. Alexander was also taken aback. If this had been their first meeting, he might have thought Skylar was bluffing. But after working with her for a while, he had come to know her well. She wasn’t someone who would make a claim she couldn’t back up. If she said she could restore the painting, he believed she was confident in her abilities.
Excitedly, Alexander asked, “Are you sure about this, Skye?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Skylar replied with a smile. “A few years ago, I restored a painting that was even more difficult than this.”
She thought back to the times when Viola would bring back antiques that were challenging to restore. Viola would often bring ancient paintings, porcelain vases, and other delicate items that needed expert care. Over time, Skylar had restored many of those artifacts, with Viola guiding her and offering valuable opportunities for practice.
Alexander was reassured by her confidence. “Good! Very good!”
Frank, though still emotional, asked, “Does she really mean what she’s saying?”
“Rest assured, Frank,” Alexander said confidently. “She’ll do her best.”
Skylar smiled again. “I will do everything I can to restore it. But I need you to manage your expectations. The painting is extremely old and damaged. It’s impossible to bring it back to its original state, but I promise to give it my best effort.”
“That’s great!” Frank nodded enthusiastically. If Alexander trusted her, there was no reason for him to doubt her. Besides, no other team would dare take on such a delicate task.
Skylar carefully took the painting with her and left to begin the restoration work.
As she walked away, Frank’s eyes gleamed with excitement. He turned to Alexander and asked, “Does she have a boyfriend? My grandson is 23 years old, a young, promising fellow—a virtuous young man! He doesn’t have a girlfriend. Can you help me set up a blind date for them, Alex?”
The Doherty family needed someone composed and mature like Skylar. Plus, she was very attractive. Frank was sure his grandson would like her when they met.
Alexander shot Frank a sharp glare. “Even my grandson doesn’t stand a chance, so forget about yours.”
Frank raised an eyebrow. “How old is your grandson? Isn’t he still under 18?” He assumed Alexander was referring to Caleb, his grandson, who might be a good match for Skylar.
Alexander, though initially annoyed, felt a twinge of pain at the thought. “No, she’s already seeing someone.”
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