Sophia Laurent's left hand had finally regained seventy percent of its dexterity.

The glass door of Antique Treasures swung open just as she spotted Henry Klein examining an ink bamboo painting through his magnifying glass.

"Zheng Banqiao?" She paused mid-step.

The familiar brushstrokes instantly revealed the artist's distinctive style to her trained eye.

The middle-aged seller rubbed his hands together. "Three million. Not a penny less."

Henry adjusted his glasses. "Wouldn't an auction house be more suitable?"

"Can't wait that long." The man sighed. "My elderly mother needs life-saving treatment."

Sophia's fingertips suddenly burned with awareness.

She approached casually. "May I take a look?"

As the scroll unfurled, the sharp edges of bamboo leaves seemed to prick her eyes.

"Paper and ink match the period." Henry whispered. "The lab tests confirmed it."

Sophia's lashes fluttered slightly.

She abruptly rolled up the painting. "Apologies, we can't accept this piece."

"What nonsense!" The seller slammed the table. "Explain yourselves!"

Leaning close, Sophia murmured two words: "Layer separation."

The man turned ghostly pale, hastily gathering his painting before fleeing.

Henry's spectacles slid askew in shock. "How...how did you—"

"Triple-layered." Sophia traced the mounting table. "The top restoration was rushed—visible bristle marks where the ink transitions meet."

Silence blanketed the gallery.

"Master Laurent!" Henry suddenly bowed deeply. "You've saved this old fool's reputation!"

The honorific made Sophia take an involuntary step back.

Upstairs, her workspace overflowed with pending restoration projects.

Just as she mixed fresh paste, her phone screen illuminated.

"Your wedding photos are ready." The clerk's gentle voice announced.

In the framed portrait, Ethan Sullivan's arm encircled her waist, sunlight dancing on their intertwined lashes.

"Beautiful." The delivery driver admired while carrying the heavy frame.

Sophia dialed a familiar number. "Meet me at Riverside Pearl."

A low chuckle answered. "Miss me that much?"

"Terribly." Her ears burned.

Construction dust stung her eyes at the worksite.

Blinking away grit, Sophia watched Ethan emerge through the gates—carrying Isabella Valentine in his arms.

Bright red stains bloomed across the white dress.

Her phone clattered onto concrete as car doors slammed shut.

The screen fractured into a spiderweb of cracks.