Chapter 28 One billion thirty million eight hundred and nine dollars
Upon hearing these words, Winona was left speechless and furious. In the end, she hung up the phone heavily. This jerk couldn't even utter a kind word! But three hundred million dollars was indeed a significant amount. How could she possibly come up with that much money in a short period of time?
Feeling extremely vexed, Winona took a taxi to Rebecca's antique shop. The store employees all knew her. "Mrs. Sullivan, the manager is on the second floor."
"Okay, thank you."
She went upstairs confidently and found Rebecca, who had just escorted a customer to the staircase. Rebecca raised her eyebrows in surprise when she saw Winona. "Why have you come at this time?"
Later, Winona collapsed wearily on the sofa and briefly explained the situation to Rebecca.
After hearing it all, Rebecca was dumbfounded. "That man is so despicable! Is the Bailey Group really about to go bankrupt? Why is he suddenly calculating your money?"
Winona had no idea what Zachary was thinking, Rebecca asked again, "What are you going to do?"
"What else can I do? Repay the debt," Winona replied. It was clearly stated in the divorce agreement that this debt was her own premarital debt, and now it had to be repaid to settle everything.
Rebecca still couldn't accept it. "But when you married him, wasn't it to repay this debt? However, with Zachary causing so much trouble, is he unwilling to divorce?"
"What if you don't get a divorce? Although Zachary is heartless, he's handsome and wealthy. He would give you a credit card to spend as you please without needing you to fulfill any marital duties. Many women can only dream of that for a lifetime."
Winona's thoughts drifted a bit, but when she thought about the mentally exhausting three years of marriage, a clear look of disgust appeared on her face. "Divorce is my choice... Rebecca, please keep an eye out for me. If there are any suitable jobs, take them on my behalf."
She needed money now, but her job at the studio had a fixed salary. Most of the restorations were of antique artifacts from archaeology, which would be displayed in museums later on and had limited commercial value. To make money, she had to take on private commissions.
Rebecca fell silent for a moment, sensing Winona's determination. She thought of something but seemed somewhat hesitant. "I do have a job for you here, but I'm afraid you might not want to take it."
Winona didn't understand. "Is it very difficult?"
"It's Fiona..."
"Looking for you." Upon hearing this name, Winona frowned. Rebecca continued, "She has been inquiring about Windy lately, and it seems she has approached other restorers as well. But her painting is severely damaged, and hardly anyone dares to take the job, let alone guarantee a good restoration."
Remembering the last time Fiona came to Mr. Baker's studio looking for Windy, Winona reluctantly agreed.
"I hope it's worth it," Winona sighed. Smirking, she added, "Contact her and add an extra zero to the amount. Then take the job."
Rebecca quickly grasped the situation and gave Winona a thumbs-up in astonishment!
Without directly contacting Fiona, Rebecca made some discreet inquiries within her circle. Fiona, in her efforts to find Windy, owed many favors.
Very soon, Fiona made the call, speaking respectfully, "Hello, may I ask if you are Windy's agent?"
Rebecca lowered her voice and replied, "Yes."
After half an hour of negotiation, she gave a nod to Winona, who was sitting nearby. "But she has one condition. It must be repaired within two months."
With limited time, Winona and the other party arranged to meet and retrieve the painting.
Winona went alone to Fiona's residence. She wanted to authenticate the painting and ensure there would be no problems once it changed hands.
When explaining her purpose, Fiona's face turned sour. "You've come to fetch something for Windy? I don't believe it. Where is she?"
"Do you think Windy has nothing better to do? Does she have to come personally for every little thing? I'm her assistant, responsible for these matters," Winona replied, not bothering with any unnecessary explanations. She then asked straightaway, "Where is the painting?"
Naturally, Fiona didn't easily trust Winona's words and questioned, "Aren't you an apprentice at View Studio? When did you become Windy's assistant? I haven't heard anything about her working at View Studio."
Winona became impatient. If it weren't for the money, she wouldn't bother dealing with this woman.
Finally, she provided the phone number Rebecca used to contact Fiona, and after confirming it, Fiona realized it was true.
"I don't trust leaving it to you," Fiona arrogantly said, raising her chin. "Considering the price that's a digit higher than the market value, shouldn't Windy personally come? What if something goes wrong during the restoration? Who will take responsibility?"
"If you don't trust the teacher's skills, then find someone else," Winona replied curtly, turning to leave.
Fiona widened her eyes, shocked that Winona would walk away so easily. After all, she was just an assistant. What authority did she have to act so arrogantly?
"Do you even know how much I offered for the restoration of this painting? You, an assistant, dare to make such a decision? Aren't you afraid that once you return, Windy will dismiss you?"
"Get out of here?"
These threatening words meant nothing to Winona. They were as light as a feather.
Seeing the woman reaching the door, Fiona was infuriated but helpless. She had to get Windy to restore the painting.
"Stop right there!"
In the end, Fiona compromised and took the painting out of the box, unfolding it cautiously.
When Winona saw the painting, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. She never expected Fiona to have The Embarkation for Cythera in her possession. This painting had been acquired by a mysterious collector at an overseas auction for 200 million dollars. After returning to the country, it had been exhibited in the museum for a month, but then disappeared without a trace.
Now, seeing the extent of the damage to the painting, Winona couldn't help but sigh. No wonder no one dared to take on this restoration job.
It wasn't just severe damage; it was completely unrecognizable!
Winona opened her personal box and took out her tools to authenticate the painting. This process took a bit of time.
Fiona clenched her teeth as she watched. She never imagined that Winona was Windy's assistant!
"Mr. Baker doesn't know about your part-time job, does he? If I tell him, will you get fired from the studio?" Fiona asked.
Winona didn't flinch at all. "You can try."
Fiona snorted. Trying was definitely something she didn't dare to do. If she upset him, the consequences would outweigh the benefits. She would report this matter to Mr. Baker after the painting was restored.
"Why didn't you mention that you were Windy's assistant when I inquired about her at View Studio?" she asked. If Winona had said so, she wouldn't have wasted so much time. After all, there were only two months left!
Winona raised an eyebrow in response. "Are we close?"
Fiona looked at her carefully examining the painting, feeling disdainful. In Fiona's opinion, this apprentice like Winona could never distinguish between real and fake. Those highly skilled antique appraisers had decades of experience in the industry.
But Winona was just putting on a show!
Finally, Fiona's mind raced, and a smug smile appeared on her lips. "Restoring this painting is so expensive. If it weren't for Zachary giving me his spare card, I wouldn't be able to afford it."
Winona, who had been cool and indifferent, finally reacted upon hearing that. She turned her head to look at Fiona, but there was no anger on her face as Fiona had expected. Instead, she remained calm. "Windy hates mistresses the most. Do you want me to pass on this message to her?"
Seeing that Winona had calmed down, Fiona concealed her gloating expression and continued watching. But she regretted bringing down the price too much. She should have asked for 300 million dollars directly!
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