Chapter 1

All because my junior wanted a permanent position at the museum.

My fiancée actually drugged me with sleeping pills just so I would miss the deadline for restoring the ancient manuscript.

When I finally woke up and rushed to the lab, the Director screamed at me for professional negligence.

My fiancée stood right there, pointing her finger and accusing me of being lazy.

I simply shrugged, threw my hands up, and handed the entire project over to my junior.

"Since you're so dedicated, Garret, the project is all yours," I said.

Garret accepted it with a smug grin, exchanging a knowing look with my fiancée.

I watched them with cold, calm eyes. They had no idea that I was the only person in the country capable of fixing that specific artifact.

1.

The Metropolitan Museum recently unearthed a batch of artifacts. Among them was a tattered ancient codex that desperately needed restoration.

Our archival department was tasked with the job.

The Director specifically named me to lead the project. He warned me to be extremely cautious, as the piece was priceless.

We were scheduled to head to the conservation lab early the next morning.

However, that night, I drank a glass of milk Lyra handed to me. I didn't wake up until the sun was high in the sky the next day.

By the time I frantically reached the lab, the Director's face was dark with rage.

"Kellan Reed, I trusted you with this critical piece because I believed in your expertise," he barked.

"And yet, you're late for the very first session! This is completely irresponsible!"

I was speechless. I took a deep breath to explain, but the lab door swung open.

Lyra walked out, her face masked with fake anxiety.

"Kellan probably got tied up with something urgent. I called him several times, but he didn't pick up," she said.

When she saw me, her brows knit together in a scolding frown.

"Why are you just getting here now?" she complained.

"You were gone all morning, and your phone was dead. Do you have any idea how worried we were?"

I stared at her in confusion. I didn't understand why she was acting this way.

I tried to explain about the oversleeping, but she cut me off immediately.

"You know how important this artifact is!"

Lyra's voice rose, drawing stares from everyone in the hallway.

"Do you think it's fair to make the whole team wait for one person?"

I looked at her in disbelief. A cold shiver crawled up my spine.

She could have easily woken me up this morning. Instead, she let me sleep until noon just so she could blame me now.

I suppressed my rising anger. "I overslept. My alarm didn't go off."

Lyra let out a mocking laugh.

"On a day this important, you relied on a single alarm?"

"Why didn't you set five? What if you just didn't hear it?"

"The truth is, you just don't care. Stop making excuses for your lack of responsibility."

The whispers around us grew louder.

My face burned as if she had slapped me in front of everyone.

"That's enough, Lyra," Garret Quinn said, appearing out of nowhere. He slid his arm around her shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"Kellan is probably just burnt out. He just needs to be more careful next time."

He turned to me, his eyes gleaming with a hidden spark of triumph.

"Since you're not in the right headspace, Kellan, why don't you let me handle it?"

"I've been studying these specific restoration techniques lately. I'm sure I can manage."

Lyra chimed in instantly, looking at the Director with a sincere expression.

"Director, Garret has been staying up until midnight every night practicing his restoration skills."

"He's worked so hard, and his technique has improved tremendously. I truly believe he's ready for this project."

Garret made a show of being humble, but his eyes were filled with desperate greed.

Watching their pathetic performance, the truth finally clicked in my mind.

There was definitely something wrong with the milk Lyra gave me.

Being the lead restorer on a national treasure was a massive career milestone.

When the museum sent the official request, the Director had chosen me on the spot.

Lyra had been standing right there, and her face had turned pale with jealousy.

Later in my office, she had cornered me, looking desperate.

"Kellan, why don't you give this opportunity to Garret? He's new and needs this win to get his permanent contract."

"This is a Grade-A artifact, Lyra. Garret doesn't have the experience. What if he ruins it?" I had told her.

"Besides, the Director appointed me. I don't have the authority to just hand it over."

Lyra's face had twisted into an ugly scowl.

"Kellan Reed! You are so selfish! Are you just afraid a newcomer will outshine you?"

"You're always like this. You never think about anyone but yourself!"

I had been stunned by her sudden outburst. I tried to explain, but she just slammed the door and left.

Now I realized it was all a setup.

She drugged my drink to make me miss the start time, creating the perfect opening for Garret to slide in.