Roman Rhodes sat relaxed, watching Stella Sterling with an unhurried air. "The museum. Weren't you just here a few days ago?"
Stella Sterling chuckled sheepishly. "I just woke up, so I wasn't seeing clearly..."
While speaking, she fiddled with her bangs, then adjusted the hem of her skirt, feigning a busy air.
'Whatever happens, I can't let Roman Rhodes find out this is my first time here.'
Roman Rhodes's playful gaze lingered on her face for a moment. "Go back in for another look?"
Stella Sterling agreed.
As she stood up, the suit jacket that had been draped over her slid off.
She quickly gathered it up, patting out the wrinkles. Just as she was about to drape it over the back of the seat, the man reminded her, "It's rather cool inside the museum."
Stella Sterling understood his unspoken meaning.
After a moment's thought, she draped the jacket over her forearm, planning to take it into the museum with her.
Seeing this, Roman Rhodes's thin lips lifted slightly before he stepped out of the car first.
Stella Sterling followed close behind.
There was only a slight temperature difference between the inside of the car and the outside. The warm sun felt so good on her skin that it made her want to stretch.
Stella Sterling squinted in comfort. After a few steps, her gaze shifted, and she stopped, slightly stunned.
In her line of sight, a fine sheen of sweat was clearly visible on the man's high forehead and the bridge of his nose under the sunlight.
They had been out of the car for less than ten seconds; it was unlikely to be caused by the outside temperature.
Stella Sterling looked back at the Alpha parked by the roadside.
And she saw...
Brandon Coleman was sitting in the car, wiping away sweat with a tissue while craning his neck toward the air conditioning vent.
Stella Sterling had a sudden realization. No wonder the temperature difference between inside and outside the car wasn't that big. So that was why.
She gazed at the man's sharp profile, suppressing the emotions stirring in her heart, and silently awarded Roman Rhodes points for being so thoughtful and considerate.
The Museum.
Perhaps because it was still early, the entrance to the museum was deserted.
Further inside, staff members were already lined up in two rows in the lobby, waiting.
Upon seeing Roman Rhodes, they bowed in unison. "Mr. Rhodes."
The man waved two fingers. "Go on, you don't need to follow us."
The staff, led by the curator, quickly dispersed.
Stella Sterling watched quietly, content to trail behind Roman Rhodes like a little tail.
'The main reason was... I've never actually been to this museum, so I don't dare make a peep, afraid I'll expose my lie.'
After crossing the lobby, the two of them arrived at the inner exhibition area.
Everywhere they looked, there were extraordinary artifacts.
The scale of this museum was truly impressive.
The collection numbered over a thousand pieces, with the exhibition space meticulously divided by category.
The Porcelain Section.
Stella Sterling wandered among the dozen or so display cases, stopping intermittently.
But she never saw the set of Tea Bowls that Ian Jarvis wanted to acquire.
Roman Rhodes, meanwhile, had one hand in his pocket, looking as calm and leisurely as if he were simply taking a stroll through the gallery.
Less than five minutes later, the curator returned.
He walked up to Roman Rhodes and said respectfully, "Mr. Rhodes, the viewing room has been prepared. You and the young lady may proceed there at your convenience."
"Lead the way."
As he spoke, Roman Rhodes shot Stella Sterling a look, signaling her to follow.
In the viewing room, a retractable barrier was set up at the entrance.
The curator stood by a table and gestured. "Mr. Rhodes, this is exhibit 727, which you requested. The certificate and records are inside."
The man nodded slightly. "Open it."
Stella Sterling's gaze followed, landing on the security case on the long table. She was quite curious.
'Roman Rhodes brought her to the museum... was it for an appraisal?'
After all, he had just asked her if she was knowledgeable about Tea Bowls.
The more Stella Sterling thought about it, the more certain she was of her guess.
She immediately straightened her posture and figuratively rolled up her sleeves, ready to show Roman Rhodes what she could do with her professional expertise.
Meanwhile, the curator received Roman Rhodes's nod of approval.
He immediately put on a pair of white gloves and carefully entered the code for the security case.
CLICK. It unlocked.
The curator turned the case to face Roman Rhodes and Stella Sterling.
As the lid opened, a set of black-gold glazed, constricted-rim tea bowls, modeled after the Imperial tribute style, came into view.
The rims of the bowls were bound in silver, and magnificent, silvery "hare's fur" markings were faintly visible upon the black-gold base glaze. The overall glaze was exquisite and full-bodied.
Stella Sterling stared, her eyes fixed on them.
'Except... the longer she looked, the more familiar they seemed.'
Just then, Roman Rhodes's rich, magnetic voice broke the silence of the viewing room. "Is this the set?"
Stella Sterling nodded blankly. "I think... so."
After she spoke, she looked at the man beside her, her face filled with confusion.
'What did he mean by that?'
'He refuses to sell it, yet he brought me here to see it. Does he just want me to look my fill?'
Roman Rhodes didn't elaborate. He simply instructed the curator, "Pack it up and have it sent to the car in a little while."
The curator: "Yes, Mr. Rhodes."
Although Stella Sterling's mind was reeling, she wasn't an idiot.
Even though Roman Rhodes hadn't said anything, his actions were clearly sending a signal.
Stella Sterling's heart sped up. Overcome with emotion, she felt as if even her stuffy nose had cleared.
A moment later, the curator left first, carrying the security case.
Roman Rhodes didn't keep her in suspense any longer. His low, pleasant voice rang out, and to Stella Sterling, it sounded more beautiful than ever before.
He said, "The museum has plenty of Tea Bowls of similar quality. Rather than letting them collect dust in a storeroom, it's better to give them to you... so they can be put to good use."
Stella Sterling froze, muttering in disbelief, "To me?"
"Consider it a return of courtesy."
The next second, Stella Sterling's voice rose slightly. "Are you serious, Mr. Rhodes?"
Roman Rhodes saw her almond eyes go wide with a vivid, incredulous expression. He lowered his gaze slightly. "Of course."
The turn of events had exceeded her expectations.
Stella Sterling's lips were slightly parted, her eyes sparkling, unable to contain her joy.
'What do you call this?'
'An unexpected plot twist!'
Stella Sterling's face was alight with joy, but after a moment, she calmed down and rationally declined, "Mr. Rhodes, I can't accept a reward I haven't earned. I'd like to buy this set of Tea Bowls. Please calculate the market price, and I'll pay whatever it costs."
Being able to help Ian Jarvis acquire this set of Tea Bowls was already an unexpected blessing.
Stella Sterling didn't think she had enough influence to make Roman Rhodes be this accommodating.
'After all, the things you get for free often end up being the most expensive.'
Stella was still trying to figure out how to approach this as a business transaction with Roman Rhodes.
Then, she heard the man's unperturbed voice say, "The bill and receipt are in the security case. Someone will be in touch to handle the details with you."
Stella Sterling: "..."
Oh.
I see.
Stella Sterling gave an awkward laugh. "Thank you for parting with it, Mr. Rhodes."
"You're welcome."
Stella Sterling pressed her lips together and glanced to the side. In a corner where the man couldn't see, her face scrunched up like a bitter melon.
'That's what you get for getting ahead of yourself!'
Stella Sterling stewed in annoyance for a moment before getting lost again in the joy of her successful mission.
This feeling lasted until they had left the museum and were back in the car.
Seeing the security case sitting securely on the floor, Stella Sterling belatedly remembered something.
'What was it that Roman Rhodes had just said?'
—"Rather than letting them collect dust in a storeroom."
'Storeroom...'
'Collecting dust...'
'So...'
'This set of Tea Bowls was never on display at all?!'
Stella Sterling's expression froze for two seconds, then she turned her head stiffly toward Roman Rhodes.
The man, as if sensing her gaze, looked over, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "What is it?"
Stella Sterling shook her head, forcing a smile that was uglier than a grimace. "Nothing. I just wanted to thank you again."
'Thank you for not exposing my terrible lie.'
With that, Stella Sterling covered her face with one hand and stared out the window, a world of complicated feelings in her gaze.