Briony was caught off guard when an unexpected email from her advisor popped up in her inbox that afternoon. Surprise washed over her-followed by something warmer, almost like hope.

She'd honestly thought Professor Winslow had given up on her long ago.

Staring at the attached photo, Briony gathered her nerve and dialed his number.

The phone rang three times before someone picked up.

Clutching her phone tightly, Briony's voice came out thin and anxious. "Professor...?"

"Professor Winslow is meeting with an important guest right now," a man's voice replied.

Briony hesitated, thrown off. "..."

"You're Briony, right?" The man sounded smug—almost mocking. "You saw the photo of the porcelain Christ figurine?"

She had no idea who this was, but if he was answering the professor's phone, he had to be someone Winslow trusted.

"I saw it," she answered calmly. "And you are?"

"James Delaney," he introduced himself, his tone full of self-importance. "Currently Professor Winslow's most promising student."

Briony blinked, feeling a flicker of irritation.

So that's how it is.

continued. "He asked me to tell you: The National Archaeological Society recently uncovered a late medieval tomb. Most of the artifacts found so far are badly damaged, and they're searching for an

listened, silent as he went

are both gifted, but I'm the one who's shown real drive. So

on quickly. "So the porcelain Christ in the

always refuse. Professor

replied, her

so I'll have to bring it myself. And Professor Winslow instructed me to supervise the entire

said, "Add me on WhatsApp, and

to give your number to a stranger? Aren't you a little too easy,

tone-despite how smooth his voice was. She kept her cool and

minutes later, Briony opened

had already sent a contact

saved his name, and sent over the

replied with

will

James: [Eager, aren't you?]

forcing herself to stay professional. [Just need to confirm the time so

started typing. And kept typing. For nearly a minute before

there the

Let me know when

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