Chapter 28 Is Northwood Corporation Going Bankrupt?
+15 BONOS
Calista was at a loss for words. She got angry upon hearing that. She terminated the call right
away. To begin with, he was never one to speak nicely.
Still, three million was a huge amount of money. How was she supposed to gather that much
money within a short period?
Vexed, she went to Yara’s antique shop. The staff recognized her. “Ms. Everhart, Ms. Quinn is on
the second floor.”
Thanks.”
She found her way to the second floor when Yara led a client to the stairs.
Yara was surprised to see Calista. “Why are you here at this hour?“
Calista flopped onto the couch lifelessly, recounting the whole story.
Yara was utterly dumbfounded. “How could he stoop this low? Is Northwood Corporation going
bankrupt? Why is he setting you up for money?”
Calista couldn’t comprehend the reason for him to do that.
Not only was Northwood Corporation doing fine, but its future was also promising.
Yara asked, “So what’s your plan?”
“What else can I do? I have to return the money.”
It was clearly stated in the divorce papers that that was her personal debt before the marriage.
Thus, it was reasonable for her to return the money.
Yara was infuriated. “Didn’t you marry him to pay the debt off? Geez. By the way, why does he
have so many tricks up his sleeves? Is he reluctant to divorce?”
Compared to that, Calista would rather believe that he simply wanted the money back.
Yara suggested, “How about just keep the marriage going? Lucian is indeed a scumbag, but he has the looks and money. You don’t have to have S** with him either. It’s every woman’s dream to be
his wife
Calista’s mind was drifting away. However, she expressed disgust the moment she recalled how
+15 BONOS
Calista responded, “It is my decision to divorce him. Yara, look out for any available orders. I’ll take
them as long as you see fit.”
She needed money, but working at the workshop would only give her fixed pay.
The antiques she conserved in the workshop were mostly found by archaeologists. They would
end up in the museums in the end. Thus, they weren’t worth much value.
She needed to accept additional orders if she wanted to rake in more money.
Realizing how determined Calista was, Yara went silent for a moment.
Yara was caught in a dilemma when a particular idea crossed her mind. “Someone is asking for
you, but I’m afraid you won’t accept it.”
Calista couldn’t understand her hesitance. “Is it tough?”
“It’s Lily.”
Calista’s brows creased as soon as she heard the name.
Yara continued, “She has been looking for Claude lately. It seems like she has tried out with other
conservators previously, but her painting was seriously damaged. No one dares to accept her
order. Even if they take it, they’re not confident to fully restore it.” 1
Calista recalled the time she saw Lily at the workshop. Lily visited the place to inquire Jacob
about Claude. 2
Calista would have just ignored it in the past. But….
“How much is she offering?” Calista questioned.
Yara showed her fingers. The price was considered high in the industry.
Calista smiled and exclaimed, “A dancer earns a lot, huh? Contact her. Tell her that I will accept it
if she adds additional zeros behind the figure.”
The excited Yara gave her a thumbs–up for her savage response
She turned around to give someone a call
instead of contacting Lily directly, she spread the word among the conservators because Lily had
+15 BONOS
Soon, Lily phoned Yara. She spoke with utmost respect, “Hello, is this Ms. Claude’s manager?”
Yara lowered her voice. “Yes.”
The negotiation lasted for half an hour until Yara showed an “okay” sign to Calista, who was
sitting next to her. “But she has a condition. She needs the job done within two months.”
Due to the time constraint, Calista made an appointment with the other party to take the painting.
She had to attend the appointment personally for two reasons.
Firstly, she needed to verify the painting’s authenticity. Secondly, an accident might happen
during the handover process.
She visited Lily’s place. The second she revealed the purpose of her visit, Lily was furious.
“You’re here at Ms. Claude’s request? I’m not buying it. Where is she?” Lily interrogated.
“She’s a busy woman. Would she come over for this kind of errand? I’m her assistant, and this is
my job. Where is the painting?” Calista didn’t want to waste time with her.
Lily wouldn’t believe in her words that easily. “Aren’t you a disciple at Justa? Since when were
you her assistant? I haven’t heard about her working at Justa.”
Calista was running out of patience. She wouldn’t have met with Lily if it weren’t for the money.
Therefore, Calista blurted a contact number, which Yara had used to contact Lily.
Lily checked her contact history. She came to realize that it was the same number. But….
She raised her chin arrogantly. “My mind won’t be at ease if I entrust it to you. I’m paying a lot
more than the market price.
That should be enough for Ms. Claude to come in person. What if something goes wrong with the
restoration? Who should I hold responsible for that?”
“Since you don’t trust Ms. Claude, please look for someone else.” Calista was going to leave.
Lily widened her eyes in disbelief. The fact that Calista could walk away easily caught her off
guard A mere assistant wouldn’t have the right to make that call.
Do you know how much I offered for the repair? How can an assistant like you decide on Ms.
+15 BONOS
Lily’s threat didn’t waver Calista in the slightest.
When Calista was drawing closer to the gates, Lily gritted her teeth.
Lily had no choice but to have Claude restore the painting because it was a gift for someone.
“Hold it right there!” Lily stopped Calista
At long last, Lily gave in and slowly showed her the painting.
Astonishment painted across Calista’s face as soon as she saw the painting.
She had not expected Lily to possess that ancient painting.
Previously, a mysterious collector bought it for two million dollars in an auction.
After the collector returned to his country, it was displayed in the museum for a month. Since
then, it never showed up in public anymore.
Looking at how ruined the painting was, Calista sighed. She wasn’t surprised that no one accepted
her order. The painting was in utter ruins.
She took a tool from her toolbox, which she brought along everywhere she went.
She was verifying its authenticity. That itself would take a lot of time.
Lily watched her from the side with gritted teeth. Lily hadn’t expected Calista to be Claude’s
assistant.
“Does Mr. Xanders know that you’re working part–time? If I tell him about this, will you be fired?”
Calista was unwavering. “You can give it a shot.”
Lily scoffed as she dared not try that. She didn’t know how high Claude regarded Calista.
Nothing good would come to Lily if she upset Claude. Besides, it wouldn’t be too late for her to
inform Jacob about it after Claude had restored the painting.
When I looked for Claude at Justa, why didn’t you say you’re her assistant?” Lily asked
If Calista had revealed her identity as Claude’s assistant sooner, Lily wouldn’t have needed to
waste so much time.
+15 BONOS
There were now only two months remaining to restore the painting.
Calista arched an eyebrow. “Are we that close?”
Lily looked at Calista disdainfully. Calista was busy examining the painting.
She was confident that a mere disciple like Calista wouldn’t be able to verify its authenticity.
Every antique appraiser must possess at least ten years of working experience in the industry to
have their skills acknowledged.
She bet Calista was putting on a show.
An idea flashed across her mind as she smiled smugly. “It’s expensive to restore this painting. If
Lucian didn’t give me his card, I wouldn’t have been able to pay for it.”
The indifferent Calista finally reacted to that. She looked back at Lily.
Instead of the anger Lily expected, Calista appeared rather calm while saying, “Ms. Claude hates
homewreckers the most. Would you like me to relay your message to her?”
Now that Lily had finally stopped talking, Calista gathered her focus to continue with the
examination.
When she thought about how she was actually earning money from Lucian, she regretted
reducing the price.
“I should have asked for three million!” she shouted in her head.
