As Karin voiced her question, more guests began to take notice of Niamh’s hands.
Marina spotted the bandages still wrapped around Niamh’s fingers and couldn’t suppress a mocking smirk. Clearly, Niamh had already lined up her excuse for losing.
Niamh instinctively glanced at Marina.
Despite nearly arriving late today, Marina radiated an air of absolute resolve, as if she’d come prepared for battle, determined to succeed or go down trying.
The truth was, Marina had staked everything on this live competition. She had no way out now.
No matter what, she had to defeat Niamh in front of Jonathan–had to prove, right before his eyes, that she was the sophisticated, talented woman truly worthy of him.
For this challenge, the Solmaris Museum had provided two identical replicas of antique scepters for Niamh and Marina. Each replica had damage perfectly matching that of the original artifact, designed to test their skill and restoration techniques.
Only the winner would earn the right to restore the actual antique.
Soon, the museum staff placed the scepters into Niamh and Marina’s hands.
Though these were reproductions, the craftsmanship had been meticulously recreated, especially around the curved surfaces near the main stone. Back when the original was made, stone–setting techniques were still developing; achieving such seamless curves was a remarkable feat.
But those very curves posed the greatest challenge.
Because the historical setting wasn’t stable enough, most of the gemstones had already fallen out, making the restoration difficult–but not impossible. The true test was ensuring the newly set stones wouldn’t loosen and fall out again.
The museum had made sure that both scepters were identical, down me missing
stones.
This was a pure contest of restoration skill.
If both women proved equally talented, speed would be the deciding factor.
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Chapter 389
It was a competition where both quality and speed mattered.
Niamh asked Elmer for help as she began unwinding the bandages from her fingers.
Watching nearby, Jonathan’s brow furrowed into a tight knot.
Niamh’s hands were clearly not fully healed, and yet she was determined to forge ahead.
His gaze shifted to Elmer.
Elmer was unwrapping the bandages with extreme care, as though Niamh’s hands were made of delicate glass.
Jonathan’s frown deepened.
Marina, meanwhile, nearly burst out laughing at the sight of Niamh needing help with her bandages. She thought, Niamh, this will be the last time you ever touch a gemstone setting. After today, your reputation will be in ruins.
The thought of Niamh slinking away from the world of jewelry design, tail between her legs, made Marina regret not ruining her hands sooner.
At the signal from the staff, the restoration competition began.
Just as most had expected, Marina quickly pulled ahead–her progress visibly
faster than Niamh’s.
Among the guests, Karin couldn’t help but break into a sweat for Niamh.
Back when Niamh worked at FY, Karin had always believed in her. She’d hoped Niamh would stay on for a few more years, building experience and connections, and then–when Karin was too old to keep up with the trends–take over her role.
But Niamh hadn’t stayed long before resigning. Later, Karin heard she’d started her own studio and felt a swell of pride for her.
Then the studio failed, and Karin could only sigh.
Karin respected people with real talent. That’s why, in this contest between Niamh and Marina, she’d always root for Niamh.
And she never once believed Niamh would lose.
