Chapter 2

2.

“Director, I admit I haven't been myself lately. I shouldn't have slept in,” I said, lowering my voice to sound defeated.

“This project is too important to risk. If my current state might affect the quality, maybe it is better for Garret to take over.”

Lyra and Garret both froze for a second. They clearly didn't expect me to give up so easily.

Their original plan was likely to bully me into a corner until I made a mistake, then force the switch.

By doing that, I would lose my reputation and be marked as irresponsible by the Director.

By stepping down voluntarily, I caught them off guard.

The Director hesitated, looking between me and the eager Garret.

Finally, he sighed. “I suppose we have no choice. Kellan, go home and reflect on your behavior!”

Garret’s face lit up with pure joy. The look he gave Lyra was dripping with affection and gratitude.

“You’re very generous, Kellan!” Garret said with fake politeness.

He turned to the Director and made a solemn vow.

“Don't worry, sir. I will give this project everything I have. I won't let you down!”

The manuscript was the Atlas of Primordial Shadows, a hand-written masterpiece from the 16th century.

The paper was as brittle as a moth's wing, and the ink was fading. One wrong move would result in permanent destruction.

In this entire state, I was the only person who actually knew how to handle it.

Lyra turned to Garret, her voice turning soft and sweet.

“Garret, you’re the most diligent person I know. I have full faith in you.”

“I’ll be right here to assist you. Don't worry about a thing.”

Then she looked back at me, her eyes turning cold as ice.

“Unlike some senior staff who think they’re untouchable and refuse to help the next generation.”

With that, she tucked her arm into Garret’s and led him into the restoration lab.

I watched them walk away like a happy couple and almost laughed.

Garret was my junior from college.

He only got the job because Lyra pulled strings, claiming they were from the same hometown and needed to look out for each other.

I thought he’d at least have some talent, but he had spent the last month causing nothing but trouble.

I had seen him nearly spill boiling coffee on a Song Dynasty folio.

If I hadn't moved like lightning, that piece would have been lost forever.

He was clumsy and rough with the ancient pages, often causing more damage during basic cataloging.

Every time I criticized him, Lyra jumped in to protect him.

“He’s still learning! It wasn't intentional. Stop being such a jerk about it.”

“We’re all colleagues here. There’s no need to constantly target him.”

I thought her behavior was weird back then. Now I knew they had been stabbing me in the back for a long time.

I watched them enter the lab with total indifference.

This show was getting interesting.

I couldn't wait to see how they would handle the fallout.

Restoring that Atlas was a nightmare. Even a master with thirty years of experience would be sweating bullets. A hack like Garret didn't stand a chance.