After Ethan Sullivan's condition improved, the group returned to Kyoto by private jet.

Inside the cabin, Kyle Grant and Frederick Vanderbilt discussed follow-up arrangements in hushed tones. Sophia Laurent gazed at the rolling clouds outside, her fingertips lightly tracing the antique restoration tools she carried with her.

Three days after their return, Frederick invited her to meet at the Peninsula Hotel.

Amid the fragrant steam of tea, Frederick slid two rosewood painting cases across the table.

"Yan Liben's 'Imperial Sedan Chair' and Yang Jin's 'Stone Valley Riding an Ox.'" He lifted the lids. "If the former is authentic, it would qualify as a national treasure."

Sophia pulled on white gloves. The moment her fingers touched the silk canvas, her breath caught. The still-vibrant pigments after a millennium instantly confirmed it as a genuine Tang dynasty masterpiece.

"Donate it to the Palace Museum under your name." Frederick sipped his tea. "At my age, standing out invites trouble."

Sophia understood. She recalled the senior colleague she'd met at Vincent Grandelle's birthday banquet—Michael Gao, the current director of the Palace Museum.

At dawn the next day, inside the museum's Conservation Science Department,

Michael gathered an expert panel around 'Imperial Sedan Chair.' Every brushstroke under their magnifiers sparked heated debate.

"These lines are unmistakably Yan Liben's!"

"I suspect a late Tang replica..."

Amid the arguments, Sophia stood quietly aside. She knew better than anyone that regardless of the verdict, this painting would become a crown jewel of the collection.

Three days later, the donation ceremony unfolded in the Forbidden City's grand square.

Under flashing cameras, Sophia stood poised in a moon-white qipao, eloquently speaking on cultural preservation. That evening, #MostBeautifulRestorer trended nationwide.

Simultaneously, an invitation arrived from CCTV's 'National Treasures' program.

In the studio, Sophia addressed the cameras: "Restoration isn't reconstruction—it's granting artifacts rebirth..." Close-ups of her hands demonstrating mounting techniques flooded screens with live comments.

[I could watch those hands forever!]

[What rice paper is she using? Link please!]

Meanwhile, on the top floor of Sullivan Group headquarters,

Natalie Sullivan burst into the chairman's office, damp hair flying. "Dad! Check the trends!" She thrust a tablet at Victor Sullivan. "Eight! Eight viral posts about my sister-in-law!"

The screen showed documentary clips of Sophia restoring artifacts beneath an avalanche of praise.

Victor's expression darkened as he read the headline "Guardian of National Treasures." Last week's security footage of Isabella Valentine's luxury store tantrum still haunted his inbox.

"You said she wasn't good enough for Ethan." Natalie tapped the screen. "Now the whole internet worships your daughter-in-law. How's that crow taste?"

The ticking of an antique clock grew deafening.

Victor suddenly grabbed his coat.

"Where are you going?"

"The ophthalmologist."