Chapter 5

The crowd parted instantly.

A man in a crisp, tailored white linen shirt walked forward. He carried an aura of quiet, understated elegance, yet his presence commanded the entire room.

"Mr. Roberts!"

The manager's knees practically buckled. He looked like he was about to drop to his knees.

"You... what are you doing here?"

The man was Charles Roberts, a world-renowned curator, the organizer of this very exhibition, and the sole global agent of the mysterious legendary painter, "Atalanta."

Charles completely ignored the manager. He walked straight up to me, his eyes softening as he looked at the ruined painting.

"What happened, Michelle?" he asked gently, his tone laced with genuine concern.

Before I could speak, Vivian jumped in to play the victim.

"Mr. Roberts! Thank goodness you're here!"

"This cleaner not only messed up the painting earlier, but she also tripped me on purpose, causing me to spill my wine all over it!"

"Hudson was kind enough to offer to buy it to cover the loss, but she's actively blocking the sale!"

Hudson stepped forward, offering a polite nod to Charles. He lowered his usual arrogant posture significantly.

"Mr. Roberts, it was just a minor accident. I'll buy the painting at full price. Let's consider it a gesture of goodwill."

He clearly wanted to showcase his wealth and status to impress Charles.

Charles's gaze swept coldly over Hudson and Vivian, before landing back on me. His eyes held a silent question.

"I can restore it," I said simply.

"What?" Hudson scoffed loudly. "Michelle, are you insane? Do you have any idea whose work this is?"

"This is Atalanta's work! The most mysterious and highly valued artist of our generation!"

"And you claim you can restore it? Who do you think you are?"

"Stop embarrassing yourself. You're only making me despise you more."

But Charles smiled.