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Edith expressed her thanks, but deep down, she still felt apologetic.
She thought, “If only I could get Shane an invitation. He has always wanted to attend this treasure appraisal meeting.
Shane took the initiative to walk on the side closest to the road and raised his hand to shield Edith from the sunlight.
His gaze shifted downward, and a thought suddenly occurred to him.
Shane asked, “You didn’t bring many clothes when you returned from abroad, isn’t it? Have you bought a dress for the banquet? I’m free these next few days and could accompany you to a nearby mall.
“If you don’t like the clothes in the mall. I know some great designers I can recommend. Their designs would really suit your style.”
Shane started searching on his phone for the designers‘ contacts as he spoke.
Seeing how considerate he was, Edith felt even more embarrassed and quickly responded. “I’ve already bought one. No need to trouble yourself.”
“Oh, okay… That’s good then,” Shane replied, his eyes behind the glasses showing a hint of disappointment.
They were approaching the intersection near her company.
Edith stopped in her tracks and said. “The university you’re going to is at another intersection. You don’t have to accompany me further. I can go on my own.”
Once she finished speaking, the green light came on.
Edith then jogged across the street.
The traffic light at this intersection was very brief, and any delay meant a long wait for another green light.
Shane watched her slender figure running away and suddenly remembered the fruit in his hand that he hadn’t given her.
He had brought some grapes, Edith’s favorite, intending to deliver them to her lab.
Just as Shane was about to follow her, the light had turned red.
He pondered, ‘Never mind, I’ll give them to her next time.
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With a soft sigh, Shane turned and walked in the other direction.
Edith arrived at the company right on time.
After clocking in, she saw Victor standing at the entrance, looking around for quite a while.
Edith approached and asked, “Is there an inspection by the superiors today? Why have you been standing here for so long?”
Victor took off his reading glasses and said with a hint of resignation, “Mr. Reed’s daughter is coming to learn here for a few days. I’m waiting to receive her.”
Charlie, who also had arrived at the company right on time, overheard the conversation and immediately said, “Don’t tell me he’s sending his daughter here to learn our tricks because he lost the bet last time.
“Besides, we can’t just randomly add people to our lab. Does Mr. Peterson know about this?”
Charlie, always straightforward and unfiltered, never hesitated to speak his mind, especially about people he disliked.
He wasn’t afraid of offending anyone..
Victor shot Charlie a warning look and said in a hushed voice, “When she arrives, watch your words. Mr. Reed might be a bit…but he’s an old–timer in the field, and his daughter is quite capable. She might be helpful. Let’s think positively.”
Edith replied, “I think Charlie has a point. Does Mr. Peterson know about this?”
She wasn’t curious about the newcomer or their identity, as it didn’t concern her. However, as Gideon was the project’s main investor, any personnel changes in the lab should be known to him.
Edith thought, ‘If something goes wrong, we can’t afford the responsibility.
Victor nodded and explained, “This was Mr. Reed’s idea. He strongly suggested his daughter to Mr. Peterson. Mr. Peterson had no choice but to agree.”
After losing the bet, Bald Ross was displeased and, after much deliberation, came up with the idea to send his daughter over.
Everyone knew he hadn’t given up on the project, but to maintain cordial relations, they had to turn a blind eye.
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Now that the lab had already canceled all collaborations with Reed Appraisal, refusing Ross‘ “exploratory exchange” would have essentially meant burning bridges in the industry.
Understanding the stakes involved, Charlie grew even more indignant.
With a stern face, he commented, “It seems like every industry has its share of people who get dropped into positions they haven’t earned!”
“Do you not want to be made permanent? You talk too much!” Victor displayed a warning expression again.
He pondered, ‘If the wrong person hears Charlie’s words, he will be targeted. relentlessly.‘
Edith then pulled on Charlic, urging, “Let’s go. Instead of wasting time here with your sarcasm, you might as well come and help me out.
“Mr. Simmons, you seem busy, we won’t keep you company.”
She couldn’t care less about Ross, let alone his daughter.
Edith might even end up arguing with them if they met.
‘Out of sight, out of mind,’ Edith mused.
After arriving at the office and changing into her work clothes, Edith spent her time in the artifact management room working on restoration plans.
While she sought peace, some people seemed determined not to let her have it.
The door to the management room swung open, and a woman with heavy makeup and thick bangs, looking rather assertive, walked in.
She was chewing gum and mumbled, “You’re Edith, right?”
Charlie muttered under his breath, “Where did this offbeat character come from?”
Edith set down her documents and calmly replied, “You must be Mr. Ross Reed’s daughter, yes?”
The woman raised an eyebrow, seemingly intrigued. “Oh, you’re quite observant. I heard you embarrassed my father. I’m curious to see what you’re actually capable of.”
Edith was speechless for a moment, thinking, ‘Charlie was right. She really does seem out of the ordinary and quite dramatic as well.”
The woman, undeterred by the lack of response, continued talking.
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“I’m Taylor Reed. I’ve been in this field longer than you, so you must call me Ms. Reed. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Oh, and this management room? It’s mine now, so don’t just come in here as you please.”
Charlie objected, “Why should we listen to you? Everyone needs this room for restoration work.”
“Because I’m more skilled than you. If you’re unhappy, go complain to the management.” Taylor rudely pushed him aside and sat down.
“Hey! You!” Charlie was about to retort but was pulled back by Edith, causing him to
stagger.
He looked at Edith, puzzled.
Edith remained composed, seemingly unbothered by the situation.
She pulled Charlie toward the door, nonchalantly saying, “Fine, it’s yours. Come on, Charlie, let’s go on a field trip.”
Edith was, in fact, planning to visit the historic district anyway.
She thought. “If Taylor wants to use the management room, let her. Mr. Simmons hast spare equipment anyway. We can just set up another one. There’s no point in arguing
with her.”
Things didn’t go as Taylor had planned, leaving her frustrated and angry. “Hey!” she exclaimed.
However, they continued walking away, and the door of the management room closed behind them.
Taylor was infuriated. She kicked the table and decided to follow them.
She thought, ‘How dare she ignore me! I must show Edith how formidable I am!”
Just as Edith finished packing her things and pushed the door open,
she ran into Taylor.
Edith’s bag slipped from her grasp, spilling its contents, including the invitation to the treasure appraisal meeting, onto the floor.
Taylor noticed the invitation immediately and demanded, “How did you get this?”
Edith ignored Taylor, hastily stuffing her things back into her bag, though her expression had turned grim.
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“Mr. Simmons told me that you’re mainly responsible for artifact restoration, and you’ve made some achievements in this area. It’s only right to let you have the management room. I hope you can focus on your work and not interfere with mine.”
After Edith finished speaking, the elevator doors conveniently opened.
She quickly turned and stepped in, not giving Taylor a chance to follow, and promptly pressed the button to go down.
Charlie stood in a corner of the elevator and made a face, saying, “Ms. Jones, you’re too nice. She’s obviously here to pick a fight.”
He felt irritated just thinking about Taylor’s attitude.
Edith calmly analyzed. “But we have to admit that Taylor’s restoration skills are quite impressive.”
She knew Gideon’s intentions from what Victor had told her, so she didn’t bother arguing with Taylor.
Edith pondered, “The whole lab was stumped by just the restoration of a clay statue. If we encounter similar situations in the future and the excavation work gets stalled. Taylor’s arrival might be the solution we urgently need.
Charlie wanted to say more but eventually muttered inwardly, ‘But Ms. Jones is impressive too!”
