Chapter 271
Your leg alright now?)
Mirabella sent the text and waited a couple of minutes, but with no reply, she put her phone. down and went about her business.
She rummaged through her closet and pulled out a set of workout gear, glancing down to adjust the watch on her wrist before unzipping her backpack to check its contents. Shortly after, she stepped out of her room, ready for the day ahead.
Meanwhile, James had just finished giving Instructions to his crew and was lounging on the couch, rubbing his temples in apparent fatigue.
Wyatt, noticing James‘ weariness, asked in a low, concerned voice. “Is everything okay with you? Feeling under the weather?”
James took a moment to rest his eyes before responding. “I’m fine.”
Wyatt hesitated. His gaze fell on James‘ calf before he thought better of it and held his tongue, fearing he might end up reassigned to some godforsaken outpost.
James picked up his phone from the coffee table and, while browsing through his messages, casually inquired, “How’s everything at the gallery?”
Wyatt sat up straighter. His demeanor automatically turned more solemn. “All’s quiet on the front. Curtis has already checked in there. With him on watch, nothing will slip by.”
James offered a noncommittal hum as he opened Messenger to reply to Mirabella. [Leg’s fine. Your competition wrapped up?]
By this time, Mirabella was already in a cab headed to the antique exhibition, with her phone in her hand. [Yeah, just waiting on the final standings.]
James texted, [Let me know when the results are out.]
The Pill replied, [Will do.]
James asked. [When’s your flight back?]
The Pill said, [Tonight at seven.]
James paused briefly, then simply texted back, [Safe travels home.]
James ended the chat, and his expression lightened slightly. There was a faint pallor on his otherwise flawless face that was nearly imperceptible unless you looked closely. He said to Wyatt. “Get the car ready.”
Scratching his head, Wyatt asked, “You heading to the gallery?”
“Yeah,” James replied casually, standing up from the sofa. As he rose, a sharp pain shot
Chapter 271
through his call, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, almost as if it had been an
illusion.
James‘ brow furrowed slightly.
Wyatt, noticing the subtle change in James‘ expression, couldn’t help but ask, “Something wrong?”
“It’s alright.” James shook his head and strode towards the door, with Wyatt following closely behind.
The hotel where Mirabella was staying was a good forty–minute drive from the exhibition hall. After settling the cab fare, she looked up at the historic building not far away. Under the brim of her baseball cap, her lips curved into a smile as she slung her backpack over her shoulder and sauntered towards the exhibition hall.
The exhibition wasn’t entirely open to the public. One needed a special pass from the organizers to get in, and those who had it were far from ordinary.
The main entrance was surveilled by infrared cameras positioned at strategic angles, and four stern–faced security guards in black uniforms stood watch. Their expressions were as unreadable as if they were emotionless machines.
On the other side, in the gallery’s security room.
“Everything’s cool today, boss.”
Having just finished a round of surveillance in the exhibition hall, Curtis walked back into the control room, pulled off his leather gloves, and tossed them onto the table. He hooked a chair with his foot, sat down, and turned his attention to the large screens in front of him. The multiple feeds monitored every corner of the exhibition hall. After a brief glance, he turned to his subordinate and said, “Pass me the laptop.”
The man, hearing the order, quickly grabbed the black laptop from a desk and placed it respectfully in front of Curtis.
