CHAPTER 33: CHAPTER 33: SO, YOU CAME TO SEE ME MAKE A FOOL OF MYSELF, DIDN’T YOU?

"Miss Thompson, are you alright?"

Josephine Thompson calmed her emotions, pretending to be collected as she replied, "Oh~, I’m fine, we can continue revising the draft."

Her partner in the team, Shane Lynch, looked at her with concern, "Are you sure you’re okay?"

Josephine gave a composed smile, "I’m sure I’m fine, we can continue working. Would you please send me all the materials, Lynch?"

"...Alright!" Shane agreed, still bringing over the thick stack of documents.

This time’s artifact exhibition.

It was the first stop for foreign diplomats visiting Caldwen, concerning the nation’s image. Therefore, the artifact explanation draft had to be extremely precise and rigorous, with no room for error.

She was the interpreter, and Shane Lynch was the translator. He was also a top student of the archaeology department at Bede University.

The two were jointly responsible for drafting the artifact explanation scripts.

"This is part of the documents, and I’ve already sent the rest to your email."

"I’ve also prepared the first draft, feel free to revise it further."

Josephine nodded appreciatively, "Thank you, Lynch."

"No worries," Shane said, continuing to help her look for artifact information.

This wasn’t originally part of his responsibilities, but he still did his best to assist her.

Josephine returned to her desk, continuing to consult the resources and documents, meticulously drafting the artifact explanation scripts.

...

At 8 PM.

Other staff members had gradually returned to their rooms to rest.

Josephine Thompson was still sitting at her computer desk, completely absorbed in her work.

"Miss Thompson, it’s time to call it a day, you should rest too!"

Josephine flipped through the thick stack of documents, "It’s alright, I still need to find some information, I’ll rest as soon as I’m done."

"Don’t put too much pressure on yourself."

"I’ll be finished soon, Lynch, you should also rest early."

"...Alright then! See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow." Josephine didn’t even look up, focusing intently on the documents.

Only by fully immersing herself in work.

Did she have no extra energy to think about the messy affairs of marriage.

Let Nathaniel Gallagher and Vivian Shaw have all the gossip they want!

She didn’t want to waste any more energy and effort on undeserving people.

At 2 AM.

She finally finished writing the entire explanation script.

In the remaining days, she’d practice the speech’s pacing and demeanor on her own.

...

In the following days.

Josephine Thompson didn’t turn on her phone and didn’t want to pay attention to any gossip about Nathaniel Gallagher.

She only wanted to do her job well, to showcase her strengths. She hoped to catch Professor Warren’s eye and become his apprentice successfully.

September 7th.

The group had already arrived at the hotel in Caldwen.

The artifacts to be exhibited had also been successfully transported to the Caldwen Museum.

The exhibition hall was arranged, grand and bright, elegant and atmospheric, exuding the profound heritage of the country’s treasures.

September 8th.

Josephine got up early to wash and put on makeup.

Today she chose a moon-white retro cheongsam made of shimmering brocade fabric, with matching high heels. She wore delicate light makeup, and her hair was meticulously styled. Two emerald hairpins were inserted in her bun, matching the emerald earrings and necklace.

The retro and elegant attire fully demonstrated her peerless grace, also aligning perfectly with her role today.

...

At the entrance to the museum.

The VIP and expert groups hadn’t arrived yet.

Josephine Thompson, Shane Lynch, Curator Carter, and dozens of reception staff were waiting at the entrance.

All the streets near the museum were cleared and secured, with a large number of security personnel and police maintaining order.

At the entrance to the museum.

The place was surrounded by invited reporters, all ready with their ’long guns and short cannons’ prepared to interview and photograph.

As soon as Josephine Thompson appeared, she amazed all the media in Caldwen, with numerous lenses immediately aimed at her, snapping away.

"Click click click!"

The flash bulbs continuously lit up, as if she were the main character of this interview.

"Wow~"

"That seems to be the wife of Audenburg’s gambling tycoon Nathaniel Gallagher, she’s stunning in person!"

"Yes, she’s absolutely dazzling with great presence, no wonder she’s the top socialite in Audenburg."

"It makes no sense, leaving such a beautiful wife, Nathaniel Gallagher must have lost his mind?"

Audenburg and Caldwen are only separated by a sea.

A roughly one-hour boat ride, or a two-hour drive.

One city is The Solara of the East, and the other is the Pearl of the Orient. Both are international metropolises, paradises for the wealthy. Local customs and languages are also generally similar.

So, the gossip about Nathaniel’s infidelity, although the heat had subsided, still couldn’t escape from the highly engaged public in Caldwen.

At exactly 10 AM.

More than a dozen cars slowly approached.

The curator and dignitaries advanced to greet them.

Foreign diplomatic envoys got out of the car, smiling and waving at everyone. Domestic expert groups also successively disembarked.

"Welcome, welcome."

Professor Warren walked in front, smiling and shaking hands with Curator Carter.

After the group shook hands and took photos together, they orderly walked into the exhibition hall.

The number of visitors on this tour was 14, totaling over twenty people, including staff.

"Please come in, there are a total of 109 artifacts in this exhibition, let’s invite Ms. Thompson to explain the artifacts to us."

Josephine Thompson gracefully stepped forward and began the explanation, "The first exhibit we are visiting is the Golden Threaded Jade Robe from the Western Ancient Dynasty."

"This precious item was unearthed in 1984, with a total of 2,240 pieces..."

She was earnestly explaining it.

Out of nowhere.

She saw a familiar and conspicuous figure appear behind the group of experts.

With exaggerated grayed hair of the Caldwen style, dressed in a custom-made black suit, his handsome face carried a mischievous smile.

Pfft!

It was Julian Grant.

Josephine’s pupils widened, almost falling out of her eye sockets.

The average age of these diplomats and experts was above sixty. The domestic experts were particularly revered and distinguished.

Julian Grant, among them, was like an out-of-place character from a prestigious circle mixing with some dubious crowd, completely incongruous.

More strikingly.

His trendy gray hair was even whiter than Professor Warren’s. He wore diamond earrings, necklaces hung around his neck.

"Ugh~" Josephine felt a headache watching.

During their studies in Brelland.

Although he was someone who liked to stand out.

His appearance was still very fresh and sunny back then, now why did he become... so alternative?

Had he been through some kind of shock?

Seeing that she finally noticed him, Julian Grant cheekily gave her a wink, puckered with his tongue playfully.

"..." Josephine stiffened, then proceeded to continue explaining the artifacts.

"Please follow me to Exhibition Hall 2."

"Exhibition Hall 2 is the Shengli Palace Night Banquet, all treasures originating from the Shengli Dynasty!"

Shane Lynch was responsible for translating into English for the foreigners.

The diplomatic delegation nodded frequently, looking very interested.

The domestic expert group also earnestly observed the artifacts, occasionally exchanging insights.

Everyone’s attention was focused on touring and researching the artifacts.

However, Julian Grant had no interest in them whatsoever.

He followed at the back of the group, occasionally acting goofy and posing to deliberately catch Josephine Thompson’s eye.

"..." Josephine Thompson was speechless, left only with silence.

In such a serious and formal occasion, how did he get in?

Exhibition Hall 2 was finished.

Josephine Thompson led the guests to Exhibition Hall 3.

"Please follow me to Exhibition Hall 3, which showcases the Splendor of the Northern Dawnveil Dynasty."

"The main exhibit in Hall 3 is the Phoenix Crown of the Dawnveil Dynasty’s Empress, unearthed in 1978."

Josephine Thompson explained with full concentration while everyone listened attentively.

Julian Grant leaned his elbow on the glass case, deliberately posing stylishly, looking at Josephine Thompson unseriously.

Whenever her gaze unwillingly turned to him.

He would either make a heart gesture, blow kisses, or pull all sorts of silly faces.

Josephine Thompson was unbearably annoyed, her train of thought and rhythm of the explanation nearly disrupted.

Luckily, Shane Lynch was helpful enough, always providing her with cues at critical moments.

Forty-five minutes later.

The first three exhibition halls were visited.

A twenty-minute intermission followed.

The guests were invited to the lounge where the museum served heritage Kung Fu tea and ancient court desserts.

Josephine Thompson didn’t follow them in, instead urgently took out her explanation script to review it aside.

She was originally very well-prepared.

But because of Julian Grant’s appearance, her mind was a bit flustered. She feared forgetting professional keywords later, so she reviewed it again.

As she was intensely focused on the script.

Julian Grant sauntered to her, watching her without taking his eyes off.

The moon-white cheongsam outlined her graceful and slender figure. Her jade-like fair wrists, stunningly exquisite features. The light shining on her made her beauty appear almost illuminating.

She was still so beautiful.

Even more charming and alluring than during her school years.

"Not finished yet?"

Josephine Thompson was startled, looking up with a frown at Julian Grant.

"Julian Grant, why are you here?"

His eyes held a three-point smile, unable to conceal his delight, "I came especially to see you!"

"..." Josephine Thompson’s heart stuck, her brows furrowing deeper.

She didn’t want to see him at all!

Seeing him was more annoying than seeing a ghost.

"How have things been these years?" Julian Grant asked with a smile, his eyes subtly hinting teasing and mockery.

The scandal about Nathaniel Gallagher’s affair had made quite an uproar; he surely saw it.

"..." Josephine Thompson’s chest tightened even more, unwilling to respond to him.

Seeing her heavy, forlorn expression.

Julian Grant showed a bit of schadenfreude, "Tsk, tsk, regretting now, huh? Picking such a man, ended up in a pit, huh?"

"You chose that old man in a fit of pique to spite me; what exactly did you see in him? Let me tell you, old men are very cunning, best at scheming, now you’re suffering, right?"

Josephine Thompson’s face turned chilly, speechless to the extreme, "What exactly do you want to say?"

Julian Grant looked steadily at her with a playful glint in his eyes, "I’m saying, I’m more handsome, younger, and wealthier than him. Picking him over me is the dumbest decision you ever made."

Josephine Thompson heard it, and she chuckled, "So, you’re here to watch me make a fool of myself, huh?"

"You want to see me, because I couldn’t keep my husband’s heart, become an abandoned wife, regretting deeply, crying my eyes out, lamenting my past foolishness and lack of insight, isn’t it?"

"..." Julian Grant’s heart chilled, the teasing smile on his face fading.

Josephine Thompson sneered coldly, "Ha, Julian Grant, you’re overthinking. Also, you’re too boring."

With that, she walked toward the lounge with a cold face.

Every step without regret.

Life will always come with many lessons and setbacks. Regret and complaining are the most useless things.

What we need to do is... accept calmly, learn lessons from failure, and thus complete the growth process.

Life is a journey of experience and practice; experiencing all the flavors will lead to fulfillment.

"Josephine, I didn’t mean it that way." Julian Grant took several steps to catch up, wanting to talk more.

Unfortunately.

Josephine Thompson had already hurried into the lounge, leaving him no chance.

If Nathaniel Gallagher was a horrible jerk.

Then Julian Grant was a jerk multiplied by ten.

Her swift departure years ago was right.

"OK, break time is over. Next, we’ll visit Exhibition Hall 4, please follow me."

The guests put down their teacups, discussing their insights as they followed Josephine Thompson into Hall 4.

"This blue and white porcelain with entwined lotus pattern is an exquisite item from the Yuan Dynasty."

"This treasure is from a Yuan Dynasty ancient tomb unearthed in 1997..."

Josephine Thompson adjusted her state, explaining the artifacts seamlessly.

Professor Warren listened attentively, nodding frequently, satisfied with her explanations.

Moreover, before coming to Caldwen, Curator Carter personally recommended her to him. Knowing she was a descendant of an antique family and proficient in various artifact restorations.

Exactly the talent he needed.

"Miss Thompson, may I ask, were these artifacts personally restored by you?"

Josephine Thompson smiled with confidence and composure, "Yes, of the treasures in this exhibition, I participated in the restoration of eleven pieces."

Professor Warren nodded in admiration, "Very impressive, young and promising."

"Sir, only you truly deserve the term ’impressive’."

"Hmm~, I have several artifacts here, needing the most professional talents for restoration."

"Once the exhibition concludes, I’d like to discuss things with you."

"Certainly."

Josephine Thompson instantly felt invigorated, the subsequent explanations proceeded smoothly.

Julian Grant no longer acted as he did before, following the crowd in silence, refraining from further antics.

Remembering the past, he had spent so much effort to win her over. The day she agreed to be his girlfriend, heaven knows how happy he was.

However, just a month after their relationship was confirmed.

It coincided with his birthday.

She originally said she would return home, unable to celebrate his birthday.

So, he thought of throwing a party, inviting classmates and friends for some indulgence.

But he never expected her to come, hidden in a gift box, ready to surprise him.

At that time, he spoke without restraint, saying unconsidered things to show off to friends.

Until she emerged from the box, set down the gift, and left, he was still dumbfounded.

As he hastily got up to chase her.

A few close friends uproariously teased him, "Young Master Grant panicked, hurry and chase your goddess."

"Our unruly Young Master Grant has a day where he crazily becomes a simp."