5
I stood barefoot on the pavement as the crowd’s chatter died instantly, everyone staring dumbfounded at the car, believe their eyes.
Serena Hayes blocked my path, her face twisted.
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“Stella Sterling, what kind of trick are you pulling?”
unable to
“Whose car is this? Where are they taking you?”
Mr. Jenkins, the middle–aged assistant from the passenger seat, remained silent, not even bothering to lift an eyelid.
“Our boss wishes to see Ms. Sterling. It’s not something we need to clear with you.”
Serena Hayes was speechless, 7, then muttered a low curse.
“You thief, playing the big shot, strutting around acting all important!”
She seemed to want to say more, but I had no intention of engaging.
I opened the car door and slipped into the back seat.
The back seat was plush with pure wool carpeting. I didn’t look at the passing scenery, focusing my attention on the man across from me.
Adrian Vance, dressed in a meticulously tailored suit, handed me a folder, his voice gentle:
“Ms. Sterling, I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”
I felt a slight awkwardness, forcing myself to appear composed.
I’m flattered to be invited by Mr. Vance, al of the Asian Foundation.”
Adrian Vance smiled, then offered me a pair of shoes,
“Mind putting these on? It’s quite chaotic out there.
I looked at the elegant shoes but didn’t move.
11:11 AM
<
“You came all this way just for my personal restoration skills?”
He raised an eyebrow.
“I heard you deciphered the final glaze formula for the Renaissance ceramic’s underglaze blue. I’m very interested. That’s why I
came back to the States.”
“It’s a shame to find
you in such a situation.”
I lowered my head, a bitter ache in
In
my chest.
“If you’re looking to recruit me, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. I’ve lost everything; my research materials have been confiscated, my project team forcibly disbanded.”
Adrian Vance simply stared at me calmly.
“True masters carry
their skills in their minds. Equipment is never an issue.”
“What we want is you, Stella Sterling.”
“Ms. Sterling, if the foundation is willing to appoint you as Chief of the Asian Restoration Center, we’ll offer full cooperation, from salary to resources. Everything will be at your discretion.”
I slowly lifted my eyes.
“You haven’t personally seen any of my restored authentic pieces, yet you’re offering such generous terms?”
He smiled casually.
“Those who make real decisions never just look at what’s in front of them.”
“Your ability to lead a team out of such a desperate situation proves you’re not someone easily contained. Furthermore, the fact that you dared to come here empty–handed already speaks volumes.”
I didn’t immediately respond.
Adrian Vance concisely outlined the foundation’s layout in Asia and the ancient ceramics restoration project about to begin.
“We oversee six restoration labs. Our materials and technology are top–notch, but we lack someone like you, who can stand
alone.”
“My only request is that the Asian branch doesn’t experience any major setbacks.”
His tone softened.
“Negotiate your own terms. Don’t feel any pressure.”
I listened quietly, my heart beginning to waver.
“If I were to serve as the Asian Chief, would there be any limitations? For instance, on funding or project selection?”
“Complete autonomy. As long as the restoration results are compelling, your authority will be greater than mine.”
His trust took me by surprise. It had been a long time since I’d received such powerful support and recognition. In that moment,
11:11 AM P
<
His trust took me by surprise. It had been a long time since I’d received such powerful support and recognition. In that moment, my eyes welled up.
“I accept.”
With those two words, the mire of my past struggles seemed to evaporate like mist.
It was a rainy winter day, and the city sky was a heavy, bruised gray.
Adrian Vance personally led me on a tour of the restoration base, handing me an access card with a seriousness that didn’t feel
27
“From now on, this is your domain.”
“Only you and I have the highest clearance for all access within the center.”
I didn’t disappoint him. In my first week, I completed the team restructuring and pushed all the previously stalled projects forward.
Every restored sample defied convention, reinventing repair and reconstruction techniques. The media constantly followed our progress, and the domestic antique circle immediately buzzed with excitement.
In just one month, the restoration center’s appointments were booked almost until the end of the year with renowned collectors from both domestic and international circles proactively seeking our services.
Just as the center’s reputation soared, explosive news came from Metropolis City.
Julian Sterling’s auction house had been caught using counterfeit materials to restore a priceless artifact for an international client. The piece was flagged at customs during export. The Sterling family was put under travel restrictions, the auction house was sealed, and the entire Sterling dynasty crumbled overnight.
I was organizing project files when I saw Adrian Vance leaning by the window, his voice low:
“You knew this would happen to them, didn’t you?”
I put down the files, answering calmly:
“I intentionally left that restoration plan. It mentioned materials that don’t exist. Knowing Serena Hayes’s unscrupulous ways, she would definitely resort to counterfeiting.”
Adrian Vance listened, not questioning me, but instead nodding in appreciation:
“Utterly ruthless.”
“You even planned your escape route. The Sterling family’s little schemes were nothing in your eyes.”
gave a cold laugh: “If they hadn’t pushed me to the brink, how else would they reap the bitter harvest of their own actions?”
“Who would willingly bury their heart, soul, and life in the hands of others? In this world, survival is what truly matters.”
“It’s merely everyone getting what they deserve.”
Adrian Vance watched me intently.
11:11 AM P
<
His trust took me by surprise. It had been a long time since I’d received such powerful support and recognition. In that moment, my eyes welled up.
“I accept.”
With those two words, the mire of my past struggles seemed to evaporate like mist.
It was a rainy winter day, and the city sky was a heavy, bruised gray.
Adrian Vance personally led me on a tour of the restoration base, handing me an access card with a seriousness that didn’t feel like a joke.
“From now on, this is your domain.”
“Only you and I have the highest clearance for all access within the center.”
I didn’t disappoint him. In my first week, I completed the team restructuring and pushed all the previously stalled projects forward.
Every restored sample defied convention, reinventing repair and reconstruction techniques. The media constantly followed our
progress, and the domestic antique circle immediately buzzed with excitement.
In just one month, the restoration center’s appointments were booked almost until the end of the year with renowned collectors from both domestic and international circles proactively seeking our services.
Just as the center’s reputation soared, explosive news came from Metropolis City.
Julian Sterling’s auction house had been caught using counterfeit materials to restore a priceless artifact for an international client. The piece was flagged at customs during export. The Sterling family was put under travel restrictions, the auction house was sealed, and the entire Sterling dynasty crumbled overnight.
I was organizing project files when I saw Adrian Vance leaning by the window, his voice low:
“You knew this would happen to them, didn’t you?”
I put down the files, answering calmly:
“I intentionally left that restoration plan. It mentioned materials that don’t exist. Knowing Serena Hayes’s unscrupulous ways, she would definitely resort to counterfeiting.”
Adrian Vance listened, not questioning me, but instead nodding in appreciation:
“Utterly ruthless.”
“You even planned your escape route. The Sterling family’s little schemes were nothing in your eyes.”
I gave a cold laugh: “If they hadn’t pushed me to the brink, how else would they reap the bitter harvest of their own actions?”
“Who would willingly bury their heart, soul, and life in the hands of others? In this world, survival is what truly matters.”
“It’s merely everyone getting what they deserve.”
Adrian Vance watched me intently.
11:11 AM P
<
C
“Stella Sterling, you are the most formidable restorer I’ve ever met, and also the most heartless.”
