Chapter 304

"I'm really sorry for what I did. There's nothing I can say except I'm sorry."

Reading his apology only made Lucie angrier and more hurt. She blocked his number without a second thought.

The next morning at eight, Lucie strode into the museum headquarters' main conference room, her cream-colored suit crisp and flawless, heels clicking against the polished floor.

The directors and deputy directors from all three branches had already been called in and were waiting for her. As soon as she entered, everyone stood up. "Good morning, Ms. Anderson."

"Good morning, everyone. Please, have a seat.”

Taking her place at the head of the table, Lucie slid a folder into the center. Her voice was calm but left no room for argument. "We're moving up the year-end inventory check. According to policy, all branch keys will be held by headquarters during the audit to keep everything organized."

She looked each of them in the eye. “I'll need the master and spare keys from all three branches now. You'll get them back once the audit's done."

The words had barely left her mouth before Jose, sitting to her left, went pale. His hand froze halfway to his lips with his teacup. “Ms. Anderson, we usually get a week's notice for the audit. This is... really sudden, isn't it?"

He was Cooper's distant uncle from security, and he already had a guilty conscience. The mention of collecting the keys sent him straight into panic mode.

Nathan, on her right, quickly jumped in. “She's right, Ms. Anderson. We still have clients scheduled for private viewings. Taking the keys now might hurt our reputation.”

Lucie didn't even flinch. She smiled, just slightly. "This year's different. We're not just counting inventory-we'll be doing artifact conservation as well. Having all the keys in one place makes it easier for the specialists to get in and out. As for the clients, my assistant has already reached out to reschedule. The museum's reputation will be just fine."

She paused, her gaze sharpening. "Is there a problem? Or do you not have the keys on you?"

That landed like a dart. The men looked like they'd seen a ghost.

Mitchell, the senior manager in the middle, was always careful. He jumped in to smooth things over. "Of course not, Ms. Anderson. If that's what headquarters wants, we'll cooperate."

He opened his briefcase and put a ring of keys on the table. "Here are my branch's keys. That's everything."

Lucie nodded. "Once the audit and conservation are finished, you'll get them back. And by the way this year's results have been great ryone's bonus will be doubled."

"That's great news."

Jose and Nathan exchanged a glance. Seeing Mitchell hand over his keys, they didn't dare protest, even though they were clearly rattled.

Jose dragged his keys out of his pocket and dropped them onto the table, the metal clattering as his hand shook.

Nathan tried to act calm, but his fingertips were white as he slid his keys forward.

Lucie nodded to her assistant to

collect the keys, her smile still perfectly polite. "Thank you, everyone If we need your help during the audit, I hope you'll be

patient with us."

The three men hurried out of the room, barely able to hide their nerves.

Lucie watched them go, her expression turning cold.

Jose and Nathan's reactions had basically confirmed her suspicions.

Once everyone was gone, she gathered the keys, then turned to her assistant. "Have Mr. Zhang take his team and start with Jose and Nathan's vaults. Pay special attention to any items recently

1.n

marked as damaged' or 'missing." Keep a close watch on Cooper, too. If he tries anything, detain him immediately.”

"Yes, Ms. Anderson."

She'd only planned on staying for three days.

But now, she had a feeling even a month wouldn't be enough to fix this mess.