Briony said calmly, "Let's head back to the studio first."

"The studio?" James raised an eyebrow.

"You brought the statue of Jesus, didn't you?" Briony glanced at him. "I want to examine the piece in person."

James chuckled. "Alright."

Truth be told, he was just as eager-impatient, even-to see what Briony could do. He wanted to witness the kind of talent that could make the famously strict Professor Winslow still talk about her, even after five years.

When they arrived at the studio, Briony changed into her work clothes.

Inside the restoration room, she opened the artifact case and carefully placed the porcelain statue of Jesus on the workbench, then scanned it—

Data collected, she transferred the analysis to her computer.

Briony's expression grew serious. "The damage is even worse than it looked in the photos. This will be a tough restoration. The craftsmanship is very old, and some of the original materials might be hard to source."

James stood with one hand in his pocket, looking entertained. "So, after all that, are you saying you can't restore it?"

"I can restore it," Briony replied, pulling off her gloves and meeting James's gaze. "But I'll need some time."

James said, “Professor said you have two weeks, tops."

Two weeks? Briony pressed her lips together for a moment. "That's more than enough. I'll have it done in a week."

them a month, knowing

"Briony, just remember-this artifact is incredibly rare. This is no time for

"I know."

said: every artifact is a witness to history, and every restoration is a profound dialogue with the

stay at

next morning, Briony was jolted awake by

nearly 2 a.m. Groggy,

groan. "Wake up... Come rescue me at

Briony frowned. "What happened?"

been in the bathroom all night..." His voice was weak, tinged with accusation. “Is

was silent for a

...

had to support

the doctor diagnosed him

James was hooked up to an IV, Briony took his paperwork to the billing

her way back, she ran into Cedric Clarke and Stewart at the entrance of

conversation but fell silent

Cedric a polite nod.

"Ms.

sick. I came to keep him

Cedric shot a

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