Chapter 13 - Restoring the Past
Two weeks after the syndicate council meeting, Sadie Bennett was finally fully recovered from her injuries, her fractured ribs healed and her spirit completely restored under the quiet safety of the Greenwich estate. On a crisp Saturday morning, Victor asked her to accompany him into Manhattan under the pretext of reviewing a commercial real estate acquisition in the Garment District. The town car glided through the bustling Manhattan streets, eventually pulling up outside a charming, historic three-story brick building nestled along a quiet side street in the heart of the fashion district. The building’s facade had been freshly painted in warm cream tones, featuring large, sunlit arched windows and a sparkling brass plaque mounted beside the front door reading: Bennett Fine Art Restoration Studio. Sadie stepped out of the car, her hazel eyes widening in absolute astonishment as she stared at the building. She turned to look at Victor, who stood beside her with a quiet, gentle smile. “When your old studio was ransacked during your brother's mess, I quietly acquired the lease on this building,” Victor explained softly, gesturing toward the open oak doors. “I hired master architects and interior designers to rebuild it from the floor up, installing the exact climate-control ventilation and north-facing skylights you need for professional art conservation.” Tears welled up in Sadie’s eyes, spilling over her lashes as she realized the immense depth of his thoughtfulness. She walked inside, running her hand along the pristine hardwood floors, taking in the state-of-the-art cleaning tables, the neat rows of restoration solvents, and the bright, natural sunlight pouring through the skylights. “You didn't have to do this, Victor,” she choked out, her voice thick with emotion. “Yes, I did,” Victor replied, walking up behind her. “I took away your peace, your safety, and your work. This is my way of helping you restore your masterpiece.”
