Chapter 107 Pretentious
+15 BONOS
Selena glanced at Lucian, whose mood had visibly soured, and said, “Even if you’ve heard
something, it has nothing to do with you. Only answer when asked. Call me if it’s about something
you don’t know. There’s no need for all the fuss.”
This wasn’t the first time Selena criticized Lucian after they got married.
He sighed in resignation, furrowing his brows slightly, and replied, “We haven’t even divorced yet.
Besides, would the Baker family allow Paul to marry a divorced woman?”
“Why wouldn’t they allow it? They must be blind if they think Calista isn’t up to their standards.”
Although she said so, Selena knew that this matter was challenging. The Baker family wasn’t any
family, and many wealthy young ladies in their social circle aspired to marry Paul.
While Calista had her support, the fact that she had a history with Lucian couldn’t be ignored.
It seemed she would need to find an opportunity to gauge the Baker family’s opinion. If there was
no chance, she would have to persuade Calista to consider other options.
However, she would have to wait for Henry to return to handle this matter. She and Mrs. Baker
didn’t get along well, and they weren’t close.
Lucian didn’t know what she was thinking. He thought she had finally understood when she let
the matter slide and asked, “Mom, why did you suddenly think of matching Calista and Paul?”
“They’ve been going out together. It’s so sweet. They wouldn’t need me to meddle.”
After saying this with a touch of annoyance, Selena looked at him disdainfully and walked away.
He was so useless he couldn’t even keep his wife.
Five minutes later, Lucian instructed David, who came in to collect some documents, “Find out
where Calista is right now.”
Upon hearing Calista’s name, David instinctively tensed up. Fortunately, he had prepared in
advance and had just sent someone to investigate her whereabouts.
He replied, “Madam Calistą, having lunch with Joshua Xanders from Justa Workshop.”
It was important to know his boss well. Before, Lucian didn’t like Calista, and although David had
shown her some respect, he always referred to her as Miss Everhart.
1/4
+15 BONOS
However, he had recently noticed a change in Lucian’s attitude, and now he addressed her as Madam Calista
They were having lunch at a restaurant elegantly decorated with elements like pavilions, terraces, eaves, blue tiles, and red pillars
Calista arrived ten minutes early and was led to a private booth reserved by a server. She noticed that Joshua was already there, sipping tea.
“I apologize for being late.”
Joshua waved his hand, “I arrived early. I love their tea, so I came ahead to have them prepare a pot for me.”
Calista presented a gift she had brought, “Mr. Xander, you’ve been kind enough to me during my time at Justa Workshop. This is just a small token of appreciation.”
Joshua didn’t decline.
“I’d love to be kind, but you make it hard for me. I’d like to help, but you’re so self–sufficient. I’d be happy if only Bryan would be as independent as you.”
They had a polite exchange.
After the pleasantries, Joshua’s expression turned grave as he brought up his purpose.
“I’ve called and invited you back to Justa Workshop several times before, but you’ve always declined. That’s why I came here in person today.”
Calista mumbled, “Mr. Xanders…”
He raised his hand, interrupting her, “Let me finish. I know that Justa Workshop’s recent handling of things has disappointed you, but I didn’t come here on behalf of the company. I came for the thousands of antics that need restoration. They yearn to see the light of day again. We can only bring them back to life by restoring them, and people can better understand the past. As you
know, people in our line of work are scarce, and many antics remain in warehouses for years
because there’s no one to restore them.” 1
His gaze fell on Calista, but it seemed to pierce through her.
“Speaking of which, you bear some resemblance to Rachel. She used to be a prominent figure in
our field. Your restoration techniques resemble hers, and you look quite similar to her too.”
3/4
+15 BONOS
Calista was flustered to hear her mother’s pseudonym.
“Mr. Xander, did you know Rachel?”
She had wanted to ask this question a while ago. Her mother’s death remained a mystery, and for
years she and her grandfather had been conducting private investigations.
They had discovered that it might have been someone in the industry, and it might have something to do with a painting she was restoring.
The painting was said to be ominous, and anyone who came into contact with it would meet a tragic end. But Calista didn’t believe that a painting could become malevolent.
She joined this field not only due to her interests but also to uncover the truth about what had happened all those years ago.
Joshua continued, “Rachel used to work at Justa Workshop too. She was my mentor’s disciple, so technically, she and I are like siblings. She was a young woman in her twenties who over- shadowed a couple of men in our forties. However, she later left the job for a man.”
He gritted his teeth and added, “What a waste of talent. I’ll make that man regret it if I ever find out who he is. Unless he treats her well, then I’ll let it go.”
Calista lowered her head, her voice somber.
“Are you still in contact with her now?”
“We lost contact ten years ago.”
Her mother had died around that time.
“Did she say anything to you before you lost contact?”
Joshua sensed something was amiss.
“Do you know Rachel?”
Calista hesitated. She wanted to reveal everything at that moment.
After all, Joshua had a broader network in the field, and as her mother’s colleague and mentor, he might know more about things she and her grandfather were unaware of.
However, she ultimately restrained herself.
**
“No, I’m just curious about someone who received such high praise from you.”
+15 BONOS
The events from back then were shrouded in mystery, and she couldn’t be certain yet whether Joshua was involved in her mother’s death. She couldn’t reveal everything just yet.
“Mr. Xanders, I promise to return to Justa Workshop.”
As she left the restaurant, Calista noticed that it was raining outside. The continuous drizzle had enveloped the world in a hazy mist, and the damp, cold wind seeped through her shirt, making her shiver.
She had come in Paul’s car, so now she must take a cab back.
Mr. Xander held up the umbrella he borrowed from the restaurant and said, “Claude, do you have a car? If not, I can give you a ride.” (1
Calista shook her head and declined, “No need, I …”
She was about to hail a cab, but before she could finish her sentence, someone reached out and grabbed her hand.
Judging by the size of the hand, it belonged to a man. He held her hand, and his palm warmed her cold skin, chilled by the cold.
Then, a large black umbrella covered her head, shielding her from the rain. She turned her head just in time to see his face.
Lucian had somehow found a pair of glasses to wear, and the lenses conveniently covered the sharp coldness in his eyes.
It softened the sharp contours of his facial features, and even the smile at the corner of his lips appeared exceptionally gentle and warm. He acted like a refined gentleman.
He carried himself with dignity, with a temperament that would please anyone.
Calista gritted her teeth and silently asked him, “Lucian, what are you up to?”
