Luna Valentine dialed the local police station.

She demanded immediate barricades around the ancient tomb with increased patrols. The Han Dynasty burial site was priceless—no chances could be taken with grave robbers.

This wasn’t an emergency excavation. A professional team needed to draft a detailed plan.

To excavate or not?

How to proceed?

Expert debates were required.

Work would only begin after approval.

As the discoverer, Shane Prescott was invited to join the expert panel.

Sophia Laurent, a top-tier artifact restoration specialist, became a core team member.

That night, the group boarded a private jet back to Kyoto.

By dawn, the Cultural Preservation Institute’s meeting room blazed with light.

Shane entered in a crisp suit—his second formal appearance.

The last time was at Sophia’s wedding.

The tie choked him. The jacket constrained his movements.

He marveled at Ethan Sullivan’s daily tolerance of such attire.

In the restroom, running water couldn’t drown out whispers.

"Heard a grave robber made the discovery?"

"How times have changed."

Shane adjusted his tie, knuckles whitening.

In the past, his throwing knives would’ve silenced them.

Now, he endured.

For a life in the sun.

For the right to stand openly beside Luna.

The conference door opened. All eyes locked onto him.

Sophia rose, voice clear. "This is Mr. Shane Prescott, a prodigious independent archaeologist. Without his warning, the Western Zhou tomb’s corpse toxins would’ve caused more casualties."

She stood tall, gaze piercing.

The room fell silent.

Prof. Nathan Moore entered applauding. "Knowledge knows no hierarchy. Everyone here must learn with humility."

As the meeting concluded, a secretary rushed in.

Ethan arrived with ten armored cases.

"I’ll fund the entire excavation."

Gasps filled the room.

This fortune was Shane’s vindication.

The gossiping experts averted their eyes.

Afterward, Audrey Sullivan drove over.

Seeing her son in formalwear, her eyes glistened.

This was who he was meant to be.

The Kyoto Grand Hotel glittered.

Shane froze mid-step.

A familiar silhouette made his pulse race.

When Luna turned, his ears burned red.

A stern middle-aged man stood beside her.

"My father," she introduced.

Shane exhaled inwardly.

Inside the Moonlight Pavilion, tension thickened.

Until Natalie Sullivan burst through the door.

"Luna!" She embraced her. "My brother’s been searching everywhere for you!"