Sophia Sullivan's gaze cut through the air like an ice blade.
Chloe Evans' heart skipped a beat.
She suppressed her panic and forced an innocent expression.
"Don't misunderstand, Sophia..."
Her voice was soft, deliberately hesitant.
"The painting-within-a-painting is Mr. Sullivan Sr.'s signature technique... Can you really restore it?"
She paused intentionally, watching for a reaction.
"Even the masters said... Knowing when to stop is wisdom."
Liam Winston stepped forward at the opportune moment.
His brows furrowed with grave concern.
"Chloe's right... Stopping now would preserve the artwork."
Chloe quickly agreed.
"You're still young... One mistake could ruin everything."
Her words dripped with false concern, eyes glinting with mockery.
To her, Sophia was merely riding on the masters' coattails.
The real work belonged to those laboring in the background.
She aimed to muddy the waters.
To trap Sophia between impossible choices.
Proceeding would brand her greedy.
Retreating would prove her incompetent.
Her seemingly casual remarks
Were designed to erase Sophia's contributions.
To imply she owed everything to others' support.
The masters erupted in outrage.
"How dare you question Master Ning!"
"Are your eyes as blind as the dragonfly in that painting?"
"Miss Sullivan's skills far surpass ours!"
Mr. Winston Sr. cleared his throat sharply.
"I trust Sophia."
His piercing gaze resembled an eagle's.
"Without her... This painting would've been ruined long ago."
Ethan Sullivan's voice was frosty.
"Leave professional matters to professionals."
He glanced at Chloe.
"Trash talk... Isn't worth acknowledging."
Chloe's face drained of color.
Liam clenched his fists.
This was a direct slap to their faces.
Yet with the patriarch present,
They could only seethe in silence.
Vincent Lowell watched the drama unfold.
"Proceed, Miss Sullivan."
His lips curled in derision.
"The technique's been lost for a decade... Enlighten us."
He was certain Sophia would fail.
Even David Macmillan couldn't master this skill.
A light chuckle filled the room.
Sophia's gaze remained crystalline.
"Frogs in a well... Know nothing of heaven's breadth."
She dismissed the petty provocation.
Turning to her team, she explained:
"Every artist has unique brushwork..."
She raised a magnifying glass.
"By studying Mr. Sullivan Sr.'s habits... I can recreate it perfectly."
David trembled with excitement.
"Miss Sullivan... Let us witness this miracle!"