Sophia Sullivan gazed at the painting, her eyes flashing with awe.
"Absolutely lifelike."
She reached out to touch the scroll.
Ian Watson, usually silent, couldn't help speaking up.
"Miss Sullivan, this painting by Mr. Sullivan Sr. is a national treasure."
The room collectively held its breath.
Damaging it would make one a criminal for the ages.
Sophia ignored the warning and raised a magnifying glass for closer inspection.
"Don't worry, I'll be careful."
She leaned in, her breath shallow.
Every artist's brushstrokes had a unique rhythm.
The smallest details revealed the most.
Several master copyists unfurled rice paper and dipped their brushes in ink.
After careful comparison, Sophia selected Master Chamberlain to take the lead.
"The challenge lies here. Extra caution is needed."
"At your command, Miss Sullivan!"
As time passed, someone wiped sweat from their brow.
People kept turning to Sophia for guidance.
"Master Ning, is this the right way to handle the mold stains?"
"Miss Sullivan, come quick! We found wormholes here!"
"First, scrape off the damaged sections..."
Sophia and David Macmillan's team became completely absorbed in their work.
Focused. Meticulous. Perfectly synchronized.
The ruined painting gradually came back to life under their skilled hands.
Vincent Lowell's eyes widened. He pinched himself hard.
The pain confirmed this wasn't an illusion.
The world's top restoration experts had gathered here.
And at the center of it all stood Sophia—the woman he'd always looked down on!
Would he really have to call her "Grandma"?
Vincent's face darkened.
Never!
The restoration neared completion.
David straightened up, his expression grave.
"We've hit our limit with this final challenge."
He pointed to the dragonfly's eye in the painting.
The group sighed collectively.
"Of course it's the most intricate painting-within-a-painting that's damaged."
The lotus flower hidden in the dragonfly's eye had vanished.
Leaving only an ugly blank space.
"Should we call it good here?"
Someone voiced the hesitant suggestion.
"A 95% restoration is already miraculous."
Sophia remained silent.
She turned to examine another painting—Winter Snowscape.
In the pupil of a fish swimming under icy waters, she discovered hidden snowflakes.
The exquisite technique made her eyes light up.
"There's still hope."
She quickly assembled her team.
"David, prepare the pigments."
"On it!"
Sophia picked up a brush.
Chloe Evans suddenly stood.
"Wait!"