diff --git a/python/gilded_rose.py b/python/gilded_rose.py
index 4f21ea64..4e800146 100755
--- a/python/gilded_rose.py
+++ b/python/gilded_rose.py
@@ -7,34 +7,65 @@ class GildedRose(object):
 
     def update_quality(self):
         for item in self.items:
-            if item.name != "Aged Brie" and item.name != "Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert":
-                if item.quality > 0:
-                    if item.name != "Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros":
-                        item.quality = item.quality - 1
-            else:
-                if item.quality < 50:
-                    item.quality = item.quality + 1
-                    if item.name == "Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert":
-                        if item.sell_in < 11:
-                            if item.quality < 50:
-                                item.quality = item.quality + 1
-                        if item.sell_in < 6:
-                            if item.quality < 50:
-                                item.quality = item.quality + 1
-            if item.name != "Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros":
-                item.sell_in = item.sell_in - 1
-            if item.sell_in < 0:
-                if item.name != "Aged Brie":
-                    if item.name != "Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert":
-                        if item.quality > 0:
-                            if item.name != "Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros":
-                                item.quality = item.quality - 1
-                    else:
-                        item.quality = item.quality - item.quality
-                else:
-                    if item.quality < 50:
-                        item.quality = item.quality + 1
 
+            # Legendary item: no change
+            if item.name == "Sulfuras, Hand of Ragnaros":
+                continue
+
+            # STEP 1 — Update quality before sell-in
+            if item.name == "Aged Brie":
+                self._increase_quality(item)
+
+            elif item.name == "Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert":
+                self._update_backstage(item)
+
+            elif "Conjured" in item.name:
+                # Conjured before expiry = -2
+                self._decrease_quality(item)
+                self._decrease_quality(item)
+
+            else:
+                self._decrease_quality(item)
+
+            # STEP 2 — decrease sell_in
+            item.sell_in -= 1
+
+            # STEP 3 — Handle expired items
+            if item.sell_in < 0:
+
+                if item.name == "Aged Brie":
+                    self._increase_quality(item)
+
+                elif item.name == "Backstage passes to a TAFKAL80ETC concert":
+                    item.quality = 0
+
+                elif "Conjured" in item.name:
+                    # Conjured after expiry = -4 total
+                    self._decrease_quality(item)
+                    self._decrease_quality(item)
+
+                else:
+                    # Normal items degrade -2 after expiry
+                    self._decrease_quality(item)
+
+    # --------------------------
+    # Helper methods
+    # --------------------------
+
+    def _increase_quality(self, item):
+        if item.quality < 50:
+            item.quality += 1
+
+    def _decrease_quality(self, item):
+        if item.quality > 0:
+            item.quality -= 1
+
+    def _update_backstage(self, item):
+        self._increase_quality(item)
+        if item.sell_in < 11:
+            self._increase_quality(item)
+        if item.sell_in < 6:
+            self._increase_quality(item)
 
 class Item:
     def __init__(self, name, sell_in, quality):