Chapter 296

"No, I'm giving it to someone," Lucie replied.

The director and his deputy both stared at her in shock, like they couldn't believe what they'd just heard.

"You're giving it away?"

Lucie nodded, her expression serious. She tucked the brocade box into the safe, locked it up, and turned to leave.

Just as she stepped out of Gallery Three, something on the wall caught her eye—a centuries-old painting. It wasn't a da Vinci, but it was a rare piece from the 16th century, painted by an artist who had studied his style. It even had imperial seals from a few different emperors. Still, compared to all the other treasures, it didn't really stand out.

But Lucie noticed it immediately.

She stopped in her tracks, heart pounding. That painting had been checked by her own hand just six months ago. She remembered every detail—the way the crane's feathers were shaded, the exact red of the “Qianlong Imperial Collection” seal in the

corner.

The one hanging there now looked perfect-maybe too perfect. But when she'd checked the original, her nail had accidentally scratched a tiny mark near the crane's eye. Even after it had been restored, she always knew where to look for that flaw.

Now, that mark was gone.

Someone had swapped out the painting.

Her grip on the safe tightened, and for a second, she almost dropped it. If this painting had been replaced, how many other treasures had been switched too?

The director must've noticed her sudden stop. He stepped over with a worried look. "Ms. Anderson, is something wrong?"

Lucie quickly forced down her shock and put on her usual calm face. "It's nothing. We're just getting ready for the end-of-year inventory. It's going to be busy. Make a list of the new pieces you want to showcase this year and send it to me."

"Yes, Ms. Anderson,” he replied, still watching her closely.

Lucie didn't say another word. She just picked up the safe and walked out, acting like everything was normal. She couldn't let anyone know what she'd found. If they realized she was onto them, the thieves might cover their tracks or destroy evidence.

She had to stay calm and let them think they'd gotten away with it—at least for now. Once she had proof, she'd make sure everyone involved was caught red-handed.

When she finally got in the car, her fingers were still shaking. She closed her eyes and replayed the details of the painting over and over in her mind. The repair mark was completely gone. The fake was so good that even she'd almost missed it.

Whoever did this wasn't just familiar with museum security-they were an expert at restoring antiques too.

"Miss, are we heading straight to Elmridge?" the driver asked, glancing at her in the mirror.

"Yeah, let's go," she said quietly.

The driver nodded and started the car. Two other cars—both full of her bodyguards -pulled in ahead and behind, forming a protective escort.

As soon as the car was on the

highway, Lucie carefully opened the safe and took out the Madonna statue. She

dit claselet

turning it over in her hands. It was still the real thing. No one had tried to swap it.

Of course, she thought, this one would be almost impossible to fake. They wouldn't have dared.

She frowned, thinking out loud. "The vault needs three keys to open at the same time. My key has never left my side. How did they get in?"

"And if this happened here, what about the other museums?"

She shook her head, feeling a wave of anger and disappointment. The director and his deputy were paid more than enough. How could they still not be satisfied? If she hadnt grown up in a family of art

coffectors, if she didn't know how to spot a forgery, this would have gone unnoticed.

For now, she couldn't let on that she knew. She had to act normal, and wait for the right moment to catch everyone involved.

***

Two hours later, Lucie's car arrived at St. Mary's Hospital in Elmridge.

June was already waiting at the entrance. As soon as Lucie got out, June hurried over. "Lucie, finally! You're here."

Lucie's nerves were on edge. "How's Elio?" she asked, barely able to keep her voice steady.

June shook her head. "He hasn't woken up yet. The doctors aren't sure how long it'll take."

"Can you take me to his room?" Lucie pressed.

"Of course This way." June led her inside, glancing over her shoulder "Oh, and by the way-Elio's mom is here too you might want to be extra polite when you meet her.

Lucie blinked in surprise. “What?”

June kept talking like she hadn't heard. "Don't worry, Mrs. Pitts is really nice. Just be sweet and respectful and she'll like you. She's not hard to get along with."

Lucie felt her stomach tighten. “June, I'm just here to check on Elio. That's all. I'm not here for anything else."

June waved off her concern. "I know, I know. I'm just giving you a heads up. Come on, let's go."

Lucie tried to reassure herself as they walked. She was just visiting as a friend. There was no reason for his mother to misunderstand... right?

Five minutes later, June led her straight to the VIP ward.