Chapter 409
porcelain piece. He wants you to see if it can be restored.”
“Let’s go check it out,” Skylar said, putting down her current work.
They then headed to Alexander’s office.
Skylar was surprised to see Annabelle there. Now, it made sense why she had been at the mall across the street. She had come to get a porcelain fixed.
Skylar’s gaze briefly landed on the bracelet on Annabelle’s wrist. A faint, unfamiliar scent lingered in the air.
Annabelle didn’t recognize Skylar. However, the moment their eyes met, a flurry of comparisons flooded Annabelle’s mind.
Chapter 409
Annabelle couldn’t help but compare herself to Skylar, whose beauty rivaled her own. Within the company. Annabelle had always prided herself on her unique attractiveness. But now, doubt gnawed at her.
Annabelle frowned, Was Alexander serious about sending his greenest team member to evaluate her precious item? It felt like a blatant dismissal.
Even if Alexander wasn’t interested in the repair or found her offer lacking, surely he shouldn’t have sent someone so obviously unseasoned to appease her. Annabelle simmered with anger but kept her composure.
Alexander held immense power in Jipsburg. Every family treated him with cautious respect. Openly displaying displeasure would be akin to declaring him an enemy.
Annabelle wouldn’t have come to Alexander if there were any other options. Furthermore, Jeremy’s generous gift had dwindled to nothing, leaving her unable to afford exorbitant repair costs.
The porcelain, accidentally dropped and shattered that morning, had consumed her thoughts since Jeremy’s departure. Due to the severity of the damage, her search for a repair person yielded only rejections.
This porcelain held immense value to her. A swift repair was crucial to her marriage plans with Jeremy. “Skylar, take a look,” Alexander said, gesturing toward the scattered fragments for her examination. Skylar cast a discreet glance at Annabelle before focusing on the heavily damaged pieces.
The porcelain was indeed severely damaged. There might even be missing fragments.
Picking up a piece, she examined it closely. Upon noticing the patterns and a faint lingering scent, her eyes narrowed. She immediately put the piece down and retrieved a tissue to cleanse her fingers of the
scent.
Alexander observed Skylar’s actions with surprise.
Caleb blinked as Skylar’s clear aversion to the fragment she had just handled was impossible to miss. A sliver of unease snaked through him. Were these broken pieces beyond even her exceptional skills?
Annabelle, noticing Skylar’s hand–wiping, spoke with a hint of displeasure. “I clean the porcelain daily. It’s not dirty. Besides, the breakage happened at home. There’s no dirt on it. There’s no need for such disdain.” Skylar’s response was cold and direct. “I can’t fix this.” She looked at Annabelle before turning to Alexander.
Alexander’s surprise was evident. Skylar had readily accepted a far more damaged porcelain for repair, yet she was refusing this one. There had to be a reason.
“You’ll need to find someone else,” he advised Annabelle.
Annabelle had already anticipated Skylar’s inability to repair it. How could such a young team member handle such extensive damage?
Seeing Alexander usher her out. Annabelle’s anxiety flared. I understand repairing it by you would cost significantly more than my offer, but Mr. Gardner Sentor, could you please reconsider? This porcelain is very important to me.”
1 can’t repair it. Please find someone else.” Alexander refused outright.
Clearly, her usual charm tactics were ineffective on Alexander.
Caleb crossed his arms and sized Annabelle up. “Miss, are you targeting the wrong person with charms? Mr. Gardner Senior is getting on in years. You’d be better off saving your effort.”
Her limited funds and attempt to win them over with tears wouldn’t secure the repair, especially considering their apparent reluctance. Annabelle flushed in embarrassment.
Alexander shot Caleb a stern glance. “You’d better watch what you say.”
Alexander wouldn’t change his mind. Annabelle knew there was no point in persisting.
your
The vast city of Jipsburg surely held someone with the expertise to mend her porcelain. She just had to find them.
Caleb, confused, turned to Skylar after Annabelle’s departure.