?<strong>Chapter 446:</strong>


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    The engine roared to life, a powerful sound that sent a thrill through the quiet night and made his pulse race. In a sh, she sped off, her figure quickly vanishing into the distance like a shot arrow.


    Ken stood still, momentarily taken aback. It seemed he had been left behind.


    Instead of getting irritated, he couldn’t help but smile.


    Interesting, indeed.


    Not long after, Sherman pulled up in a car.


    “Boss, why are you standing here by yourself? Where’s Ms. rke?”


    Ken, still caught in the lingering moment, didn’t respond.


    After getting into the car, he leaned back in the seat, closing his eyes as if to rest.


    Sherman, confused, scratched his head. “Didn’t expect you two to part ways here…”


    As they drove off, Sherman nced at Ken through the rearview mirror and noticed a faint smile on his usually stoic face. What on earth?


    A chill ran down Sherman’s spine.


    Seeing his boss smiling, especially with his eyes shut, was unsettling.


    He tightened his grip on the wheel, trying not to dwell on what that smile might mean.


    After all, when Ken Lloyd smiled like that, nothing good or predictable ever followed.


    A few days passed, and as Allison blended perfumes in her office, a call from Roderick came through.


    “Ms. rke, I’d like to invite you to be a guest lecturer on artifact restoration at our Treasure Appraisal Institute,” he began, a slight hesitation coloring his tone. “My students have heard about your intricate work and would be thrilled to hear you speak. It would be an invaluable learning opportunity…”


    After she hung up, Allison heard Ken’s voice nearby.


    “So, are you nning to go?”


    “Of course,” Allison responded, ncing toward the greenery outside the conference room window. “I owe him. He didn’t think twice about helping mest time.” She absentmindedly spun her ck pen before closing the open file on her desk with a final, deliberate click. “Do you mind if I take a few days off?”


    Ken ced a document on the table, fixing her with an unreadable expression. “Not at all,” he said, leaning back. “In fact, I’d been considering a visit to Roderick as well. Why don’t we make it a joint trip?”


    Resting his chin on his fingers with an air of casual curiosity, he added, “Perhaps you could show me around the famous Treasure Appraisal Institute?”


    Allison chuckled at his suggestion. “Alright, let’s do it.”


    Roughly an hourter, they arrived at the city’s Cultural Center, situated on the outskirts in a discreet ck car.


    The building before them, blending historical and modern architectural elements, seemed like a portal to a bygone era.


    Through the car window, Allison could already make out Roderick, nked by two assistants, waving eagerly at them.


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