Chapter 300 Disfigured
Calista had grown cautious after she learned about Vivian’s identity and personality. She had been prepared for unexpected circumstances.
Although she couldn’t be certain Vivian was gunning for her, a string of coincidences was not good news. It had originally been for emergencies. Calista didn’t think it would come in handy quite so soon.
Silence fell over the group. Others were throwing her odd looks. What kind of weirdo monitored
themselves that way?
Calista switched on the laptop she carried around with her. The diadem had been restored three days ago.
It was supposed to have been submitted today. But the officials‘ impromptu inspections had delayed the
handover.
She threw up the surveillance footage that had been taken three days ago. It clearly showed her placing
the restored diadem into a box and labeling it with her name.
After that, she worked on restoring the tiara with several other conservators in a temporary work area.
She didn’t return to her workstation during that time.
Since the camera was installed on Calista’s phone case, it followed her every move. She wouldn’t have known who had taken the diadem and altered it before putting it back.
However, just as she claimed, only she was pictured in the footage. If anyone approached, she would avoid getting their faces in the frame.
That was a relief to everyone. At least it proved she wasn’t a pervert who spied on others.
Calista turned to Thomas who had gone pale and mockingly asked, “Can we now conclude that it isn’t my responsibility that the diadem ended up the way it did, Mr. Jefferson?”
Thomas gasped.
“The diadem ended up in that state while it was in your possession. There’s no shirking of responsibility
there. How do we know you hadn’t instructed someone to do so? People come and go in the office. Are.
you saying someone stole your keys?”
“Oh.” Calista smiled as she drew out her words. “Are you suggesting that I have a conspirator in the
museum? Besides, I’m not the only person with the keys here.”
The warehouse staff and Augustus had spares. Thomas smiled coldly.
“That’s not impose…”
Before he could finish, he realized Calista had led him into a trap. Everyone in the room was glaring at
him. Augustus was no different.
“Get out,” he spoke sternly.
If the officials weren’t present on site, he would’ve kicked Thomas out.
Even if there was a shortage of staff at the museum, it had no place for those with bad intentions and
who spent their time framing their colleagues.
Thomas himself was inadequate and yet, he was envious of others‘ talents. Augustus expressed his
disdain.
Calista may be
young, but she’s talented. She’s Rachel’s daughter and the granddaughter of Cassidy. Everhart. While you were still doing odd jobs with your instructors, she was likely already getting on with it.
Rachel and Cassidy… They were both legendary figures in the industry. Despite the passing years, those
in the business would’ve heard of their names
Now, everyone’s gazes toward Calista had changed.
Augustus left the incident with the diadem to the police for investigation. After they saw the officials off, he promptly fired Thomas, the troublemaker who caused more harm than good.
“Are you going to hold it against me for revealing your identity?”
Rachel had vanished from the industry for years. Only a few old timers who were in contact with her
recognized her techniques.
Augustus had guessed while watching TV. Later, he resorted to deception to get Jacob to reveal Calista’s identity to him. Calista shook her head.
“You were only doing it so the others involved in the restoration work would trust me. I won’t blame you. I
should be thanking you instead.”
Many of the museum’s seniors had some reservations about her sudden appearance. But their skepticism
hadn’t been as pronounced as Thomas‘.
With today’s commotion, despite Calista’s efforts to clear herself from suspicion, there would be those
who thought there wouldn’t be smoke with no fire.
If she couldn’t convince them of her credibility, the dissenting voices would only grow louder. Thomas
Who could that person be? Was it Vivian? Calista left the museum and got into her car. But, she didn’t start the engine. She pulled up her WhatsApp for no particular reason. It was an unconscious action
David’s profile photo was second from the top with his last message reading “Mr Northwood’s temperature has risen to 103 degrees, Madam He’s refusing to take his medication. He kicked me out
and said I was annoying
The message at the very top was from her private investigator, Ollie
“The hostess that accompanied Vivian got drunk last night. She took a tumble on her way home She landed face–first into a sharp rock and was disfigured. She’s currently at the Grimsby Hospital
“It’s inconclusive whether or not she had fallen herself or someone had pushed her. The surveillance
camera monitoring that street happened to be malfunctioning
Ollie had been keeping tabs on Vivian and didn’t keep an eye on the ordinary host. He happened to learn
of her disfigurement by chance
Calista replied, “I see. Continue to keep an eye on her Be careful
She started her car. That was when she received a call from David, pleading. “Mr. Northwood isn’t answering my calls, Madam No one is picking up with the landline either. Do you have time to go check
up on him?”
“And, what are you doing?” Calista asked
“I signed up for a Komisch proficiency exam. I can’t leave Mr. Northwood was already delirious with at fever when he left. And now he’s not picking up my calls or answering my messages. What
Calista could hear David nearly breaking down. What business did a man who was over six foot tall ha
to act so pathetic?
“I’ll give him a call ”
She removed Lucian from her blacklist and dialed his number. But, there was no answer. She then called
the servant and found out that she had quit two days ago to spend time with her grandchildren.
Calista stared at her phone and muttered to herself, “Could a grown man possibly die from a fever? He
should be able to call for the family doctor even if he can’t move.”
The thought brought her some peace of mind. However, when she reached the crossroads, she gritted
her teeth. With a turn of her steering wheel, she switched to the left side of the lane
Her car easily pulled into the Everglade Manor. Records of her fingerprints were still registered at the
“Lucian…
No one answered. Calista frowned. She opened the shoe rack for shoe covers when she found the slippers she had worn last year still neatly placed in their original spot.
She thought about it and ultimately decided on the shoe covers instead.
The first floor was deserted, prompting her to go up to the second floor. The master bedroom’s door was
unlocked. She knocked but no one answered.
Could he have fainted because of his fever? Calista couldn’t care less about propriety. She turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.
At the same time, the glass door to the bathroom slid open. Out came Lucian who hadn’t yet dried himself off.
Droplets of water slid along the taut muscles of his chest and abdomen and down into the bath towel. wrapped around his waist.
As if sensing someone in the room with him, he looked straight at Calista who was in the doorway. Calista finally relaxed after seeing that he was fine.
“Why didn’t you lock the door while showering?” she demanded in irritation.
Lucian chuckled as he approached her.
“I live alone. Does it matter whether I lock the door or not?”
With how vigorous he sounded, he didn’t seem weak or ill at all. Calista turned to leave without another word. But, he quickly grabbed her hand and dragged her back into the room.
The door slammed shut behind her. He let out a soft laugh and seemed to be in a pleasant mood. “You’re here to see me?”
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