Chapter 102: I Think I Saw Someone I Know
The sky had grown dark, and all the people who were just there to pad their resumes had left. Mama Knight was still outside, waiting for her young mistress.
"Why is that servant still here? Didn’t Jane Lancaster leave ages ago?" a female staff member asked, frowning as she spotted Mama Knight.
Luna Morgan froze for a moment. When she looked up, she saw Mama Knight was indeed there.
As Mama Knight’s gaze swept in her direction, she instinctively ducked behind Samuel Miller.
Samuel Miller was Quentin Woods’s apprentice and a supervisor at the Art Association, responsible for coordinating this ancient painting restoration project.
He had long heard that his teacher had discovered a promising talent and wanted to take her on as his final disciple. He’d been a little wary, afraid she might steal his thunder.
But after getting to know her, he realized she had no intention of pursuing a career in art and had simply been tricked by their teacher into working here.
The young woman was so innocent and kind. She was responsible for such an important restoration project, a job that could have brought her both fame and fortune, yet she was using it to get someone else credited for the work.
No wonder their teacher admired her so much and was so determined to make her his final disciple.
If any other woman had leaned on him like that, Samuel Miller would have suspected she had ulterior motives. But since it was Luna Morgan, his heart skipped a beat.
"What’s wrong?" he asked, subtly putting an arm around her.
Luna Morgan replied, "Please don’t let her see me. Thank you, Supervisor Miller."
She was worried that Mama Knight, being a gossip, would pester her with questions about why she was there.
’If Jane Lancaster finds out I’m helping her get the credit for this restoration, she’ll probably be unhappy.’
’But I really just want to repay her kindness and make up for everything I owe her.’
Samuel Miller gave a subtle signal with his eyes, and the staff members with him quickly closed ranks, shielding him and Luna Morgan in the middle as they escorted them out the main gate.
"Thank you, Supervisor Miller. Thanks, everyone. I’ll be heading home now." Luna Morgan breathed a sigh of relief, smiling and waving goodbye.
Samuel Miller watched her ride off into the distance on her electric scooter, his heart softening. ’How can she be so adorable?’
Some old hags, however, were not so adorable.
"What’s the deal with that old biddy?" he asked the staff around him, his expression darkening.
"What else could it be? It’s about that Jane Lancaster—the one Miss Morgan insists on giving credit to. She shows up just to pad her resume, and she even brings a servant. I’ve never seen anyone so full of themselves. She was asked to do a little work, threw a tantrum, and stormed off. Said she didn’t care if her name was removed, but she never really left. Look at the time! Still here, pretending to work hard."
Samuel Miller frowned. "Then there was no reason for Luna to hide. That old biddy must have done something to her."
He could tell that when Luna saw the servant, there was a clear look of fear in her eyes.
Samuel Miller’s heart ached for her, and he resolved to handle the matter, no matter what.
Someone who had interacted with Luna Morgan more often had heard some rumors.
"It seems that servant likes to bully Miss Morgan. I saw her ordering Miss Morgan around arrogantly last year."
Samuel Miller was shocked. ’She’s just a servant, an old biddy. How dare she order Luna around?’
’Who gave her the nerve?’
—
Mama Knight waited a little while longer. When she saw Jane Lancaster emerge, she rushed over.
"Young Miss!"
Jane Lancaster clutched her stomach. "I’m starving. Mama Knight, do you have anything to eat?"
Her heart aching with sympathy, Mama Knight quickly helped her to a bench in the rest area. "Yes, of course. I bought afternoon tea earlier, and I just picked up some hot snacks from a private kitchen nearby. You should eat something to tide you over."
After seeing Luna off, Samuel Miller turned back and saw this scene, and his expression soured.
’This isn’t a restaurant or a picnic area. If you want to eat, get out and do it elsewhere.’
Just then, a staff member rushed up to him. "Supervisor Miller, Professor Woods wants to see you!"
The staff member looked anxious; clearly, it was something urgent with Professor Woods.
Samuel Miller frowned. "What is it?"
"It seems Professor Lee’s team has begun restoring the original ’Qin King’s Night Banquet Painting’ and has already made significant progress."
Samuel Miller’s mind went blank. "How is that possible?"
’Wasn’t that painting so severely damaged it was considered impossible to restore?’
The association had held lengthy discussions about it, but no one had dared to take on the project, terrified that one wrong move would destroy what little remained of the original work.
But everyone had unanimously agreed that restoring the painting would be a monumental contribution to the study of the period’s customs, clothing, and hairstyles—even to the reconstruction of ancient dances!
’No wonder Quentin Woods is in such a rush,’ he thought. ’Once the ’Qin King’s Night Banquet Painting’ is restored, Professor Lee’s team will completely steal their thunder!’
Samuel Miller had no choice but to abandon his plan to reprimand Jane Lancaster. He turned and hurried away with the staff member.
Mama Knight suddenly looked up, her gaze thoughtful as she watched the staff members walk away.
"What is it? See someone you know?" Jane Lancaster asked while eating a still-warm crab roe pastry. It was soft, savory, and fragrant, and its perfectly balanced sweet and salty notes instantly won over her palate.
Mama Knight opened a thermos and handed it to Jane Lancaster. "Have some black-bone chicken soup."
She paused for a moment before replying, "Yes, I think I saw an acquaintance."
’More than a decade had passed, and he’d changed so much. At first, I almost didn’t recognize him.’
’It wasn’t until I saw his work badge that I was sure it was him.’
’He looked so successful, dressed in designer brands and surrounded by people. It seems he’s done very well for himself all these years.’
’But then again, that’s to be expected. He comes from a good family with deep pockets, so of course his life would be smooth sailing.’
Jane Lancaster took a few sips of the soup. Noticing Mama Knight had fallen silent, she took her hand. "Mama Knight?"
Mama Knight snapped out of her thoughts, a smile instantly blooming in the wrinkles around her eyes. "I’m fine, Young Miss."
’If I felt a trace of resentment just moments ago, it all vanished at the thought of my Young Miss.’
’He could never imagine that I’m also doing quite well for myself these days, could he?’
’An ant once trampled into the mud can be picked up, brought home, and treated with kindness, living a comfortable life without a single worry.’
’How could I still resent the heavens for their unfairness? Letting me meet the Young Miss was the greatest blessing I could have ever received.’
Mama Knight gently stroked Jane Lancaster’s hand, her heart aching. "Young Miss, work must have been hard today. Your hands have gotten so rough. I’ll give you a hand treatment when we get home tonight."
Jane Lancaster hummed in agreement, her eyes flicking toward a staff member who was eavesdropping from a corner. The corners of her mouth lifted into a faint smile.
—
The next morning, Jane Lancaster arrived on time to clock in.
When Mia Lanley saw Jane Lancaster appear among the crowd again, her face immediately darkened.
"Didn’t a certain someone say she was fine with being removed from the project? What’s she doing here today?" Mia Lanley asked without moving.
A stir went through the crowd as people exchanged glances. ’Who is this person, acting so clueless?’
Everyone was there to pad their resumes. Even those from wealthy and influential families had paid to get in, so they all knew what was at stake. No one would dare throw a spoiled brat tantrum at a time like this.
Anyone who offended a staff member now was either an idiot or just plain stupid.
Seeing that Mia Lanley’s gaze was fixed in one direction, the crowd followed her line of sight and easily found Jane Lancaster.
The few people standing near her immediately scurried away, afraid of being mistaken for being on her side.