chapter 166
He looked up, but all he could see was the woman’s back and her reflection in the car window.
Soon, the car arrived at Mitchell’s Antique Restoration Research Institute.
Damian got out first, intending to walk around and open the door for Claudine.
But before he could get there, Claudine had already stepped out of the car.
She was still wearing the same coat she had worn in Reedport. As soon as she got out, the cold wind and swirling snowflakes made her frown involuntarily.
Damian noticed that Claudine was cold.
He reached out and pulled Claudine into his arms.
A head taller than Claudine, his coat wrapped her up tightly, shielding her from the wind and snow.
Claudine was enveloped in that familiar scent of cedar, warmed by the man’s body heat.
She frowned, trying to break free from his embrace, but the large hand at her waist only tightened its grip.
“Don’t move.”
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Damian spoke, his deep voice coming from above Claudine’s head.
Claudine said, “Is it really necessary to keep up this act? Or did you arrange for reporters here too?”
“There are no reporters. I just saw you weren’t dressed warmly enough and didn’t want you to get cold.”
With that, Damian led Claudine toward the Antique Restoration Research Institute.
Once inside the building, Claudine immediately put distance between herself and Damian.
There was not a trace of shyness or excitement on her face, as if she had just been intimate with a beloved man. Her eyes were cold and clear.
“The act has gone far enough, hasn’t it!
“I’ll cooperate with your company’s promotion, but now I need to start my own work. You can leave now.”
With that, Claudine turned and walked upstairs without a backward glance.
Damian watched Claudine’s retreating figure but did not follow.
He was not the type to pester a woman endlessly; he had plenty of ways to make Claudine come to him on her own.
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12:05
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Third floor conference room of the Antique Restoration Research Institute.
Mitchell Hutchinson and several students had already arrived.
Claudine greeted everyone and found a seat.
Once everyone was present, Mitchell began the project’s first seminar.
He once again introduced Claudine to the other senior students.
They were all familiar with Claudine’s abilities from the expo in Reedport.
Those who hadn’t attended the expo had heard about her from others.
So, during the meeting, not a single person underestimated Claudine.
The meeting quickly moved on to the main topic.
Mitchell opened the project proposal.
“Those who know me are probably aware that I’ve always wanted to create a database encompassing all historical an- tique restoration methods and techniques.
But the scale of this project is enormous, and the research process requires a large number of antiques as study ob- jects.
Currently, the antiques owned by our Antique Restoration Research Institute are far from sufficient.
The best solution is to collaborate with the National Antique Museum.
But to secure this collaboration, we need a sponsor who can provide a guarantee and help facilitate the approval process with the museum.”
At this point, Claudine already understood.
Mitchell’s project needed a powerful sponsor, but their research was risky. If anything happened to an antique during the process, the sponsor would be held responsible.
So the most crucial thing now was to find such a capable and willing guarantor.
That was probably why Mitchell had never been able to launch this project.
As Claudine was thinking, someone beside her suddenly spoke up.
“Prof. Hutchinson, we could ask Mr. Barrette from the Barrette Group to sponsor us!
Claudine is Mr. Barrette’s wife, and they have such a good relationship. Mr. Barrette would surely support Claudine’s work.”
Claudine’s heart tightened. She instinctively looked at Mitchell, and sure enough, saw that he was looking at her too.
“Claudine, what do you think of your senior’s suggestion?”
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Claudine: Not good at all!
But she couldn’t just say that out loud.
She understood how much Mitchell wanted to complete this project. As a conservator-restorer, she also knew how valuable the database Mitchell envisioned would be for the antique restoration industry.
But to ask Damian for help…
Claudine frowned instinctively.
“Claudine, I know this is a bit difficult.
“I’m not asking you to approach Mr. Barrette as his wife, but rather to demonstrate your professional abilities.
“Go back and prepare a clear project proposal, and as the liaison, communicate with Mr. Barrette properly.
“If you succeed, I’ll give you major credit!”
With that, Mitchell and the other seniors cheered Claudine on.
Looking at the people filling the conference room, Claudine realized she had no room to say “no.”
She could only agree.
After the meeting, Claudine left the conference room with a heavy heart.
She still hadn’t figured out how to bring this up to Damian.
