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."

taken aback. In truth, he'd already shaved the real deadline-Professor Winslow had given them a month, knowing how difficult it

remember-this artifact

"I know."

at the porcelain statue on the workbench. Her eyes shone-bright, determined. "Professor always said: every artifact is a witness to history, and every restoration is a profound dialogue with the past. As restorers,

Briony decided to stay at the studio, while James checked

jolted awake by her phone buzzing with

James left, researching materials online until nearly

voice was barely more than a groan. "Wake up... Come

Briony frowned. "What happened?"

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

silent for

...

had to support James,

the doctor

up to an IV,

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

deep in conversation but fell silent when they saw

Stewart and gave Cedric a polite

"Ms.

sick. I came to keep him company," Briony replied in her usual calm

shot a

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