CHAPTER 133: CHAPTER 133: GRANT THE DOG IS IN TROUBLE, COME SEE HIM QUICKLY

Uncle Lynch quickly handed over the phone, "Miss, here’s your phone."

Josephine Thompson, with a restless mind and trembling fingertips, dialed Julian Grant’s number.

"Beep beep beep..."

"Hello, the number you have dialed is turned off. Please call again later..."

"No answer." Josephine Thompson’s heart sank little by little, the pain in her throat couldn’t compare to the panic she felt at this moment.

It had already been four days since the accident happened to her.

With Julian Grant’s personality, he would never stay calm without searching for her.

"Oh no, something must have happened to Julian."

Thinking it over.

Josephine Thompson dared not delay and could only call Evelyn Thorne, asking if she knew about Julian Grant’s situation.

"Beep beep beep..."

After a few rings.

Evelyn Thorne answered the phone, her voice muffled, "Hello, who is this?"

Josephine Thompson held her breath, "Evelyn, it’s me. I can’t get through to Julian Grant’s phone. Can you reach him?"

Evelyn Thorne listened, her voice filled with concern and anxiety, "Ms. Thompson, where have you been these past days?"

"Grant the Dog nearly died looking for you."

Boom!

Josephine Thompson’s mind exploded, her voice tense and hoarse, "What happened to him? What happened?"

Evelyn Thorne’s voice was anxious and angry, "It’s... that night, Grant the Dog drove to find you and was hit by a truck on the winding mountain road. He’s still in the ICU, and the doctors say... they say the situation isn’t good..."

Josephine Thompson shuddered all over, feeling like she was plunged into an ice cave, "What? Is it that serious?"

"Which hospital is he in now?"

"He’s in a hospital here in Caldwen; he’s been in a coma for three days now and hasn’t woken up."

"I’ve also been looking for you, where on earth have you been?"

"I..." Josephine Thompson felt dizzy, consumed with anxiety.

"What did the doctors say? Is there a risk to his life?"

Evelyn Thorne: "It’s hard to say; the doctors said if he can wake up within a week, his life can essentially be saved. If he doesn’t wake up within a week, it might be troublesome."

Tears welled up in Josephine Thompson’s eyes, "Evelyn, send me the name of the hospital. I want to go see him."

"He’s at St. Mary’s Hospital in Caldwen. I’m also at the hospital, so contact me directly when you arrive."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you."

Evelyn Thorne said somberly, "No need to thank me. Hurry up and get here! If you’re too late, I’m afraid... sigh..."

"Mm, mm, I’ll be quick."

She hung up the phone.

Josephine Thompson felt a lump in her throat, her heart as if a cat was clawing at it.

"Uncle Lynch, prepare the car. I need to go to Caldwen to see Julian Grant."

The butler listened, his face filled with worry, "Miss, your health is so weak right now. How can you run around like this?"

"The doctor specifically instructed you to rest quietly."

Josephine Thompson struggled to sit up, anxious in her heart, "Say no more, quickly prepare the car. I must go see him."

"...Alright, okay then!"

Uncle Lynch couldn’t persuade her and could only instruct the driver to get the car ready.

Josephine Thompson gathered her energy, got out of bed, washed up, and changed clothes.

Afterward, she opened the safe and took out the key to the treasure pavilion.

She promised to give him a gift in return.

She had also made up her mind.

To bring the Shengli Dynasty Ancient God to give to him.

That Ancient God had once been enshrined in a sacred tower in Rhovan by The Martial Empress and had undergone a thousand years of accumulation and blessing.

It was sure to bring him good fortune.

She also firmly believed that antiques had vitality and energy.

"Miss, the car is ready."

"Mm, let’s set off!"

Because of a series of incidents.

When it came to security issues, she couldn’t afford to be careless or negligent. This time to Caldwen, besides the driver, she planned to bring over a dozen bodyguards.

...

Half an hour later.

The treasure pavilion.

The driver drove her to a Thornton Family treasure pavilion.

This treasure pavilion was located next to a museum and was not open to the public.

It would only occasionally be opened for visits by renowned figures in the antiques world during exchange meetings.

The treasures and antiques stored here, any piece was worth over a hundred million.

Every antique had a unique laser anti-theft mark and an individual anti-theft cabinet.

Upon arriving at the treasure pavilion.

The curator and the deputy curator had already been notified and were waiting respectfully.

"Hello, President Thompson."

Josephine Thompson got out of the car, anxious to retrieve the Ancient God, "Bring me the key."

"Oh, alright." The curator and deputy curator hurriedly handed their keys to Josephine Thompson.

Because the items inside were so valuable.

Besides a large security team and top-notch anti-theft measures.

The pavilion was also equipped with three keys.

The curator had one, the deputy curator had one, and Josephine Thompson had one.

Only when the three keys were combined could the safe in the treasure pavilion be opened.

"President Thompson, the year-end clearance list has been made."

"The exhibits to be sent to the business association for exhibition and auction have also been prepared for publicity..."

Josephine Thompson ignored their reports and, after entering the treasure pavilion, went straight to Exhibition Hall No. 3.

"Open the security door."

"Understood, President Thompson."

After several procedures and security verifications.

The Ancient God was taken out.

Josephine Thompson carefully wrapped it in red silk and placed it into the prepared brocade box.

The curator looked shocked and asked, "President Thompson, are you planning to auction off this Ancient God?"

"No, I’m giving it as a gift."

Poof!

The curator and assistant curator were stunned, thinking they misheard.

"A gift?"

Josephine Thompson nodded solemnly, and after placing the brocade box into the safe, she prepared to leave.

Just as she walked out of Hall 3.

She suddenly glanced at an ancient painting hanging on the wall.

This painting was created by a painter from the Luminous Dynasty, and is a reproduction of Sovereign Valerian of Dawnveil’s Cranes of the Dawnveil.

Though not personally created by Sovereign Valerian, it is still incredibly valuable, bearing seals from several emperors.

But amidst a gallery of genuine masterpieces, it appears quite inconspicuous.

However, that ancient painting immediately caught her attention.

Because she instantly recognized that the painting had been swapped.

Josephine Thompson abruptly stopped, her pupils contracting sharply.

She had personally examined the painting half a year ago, remembering the subtle coloring of the crane’s wings, and the vermillion hue of the "Treasure of the Emperor’s Gaze" seal in the corner.

Yet the painting before her, though crafted with impressive skill, had reached a level that could easily pass as the original.

But last time she examined it closely, her fingernail had accidentally scratched the side of the crane’s eye. Although she later restored it, she could still recognize the restoration marks.

And now this painting.

The restoration marks she had previously fixed were now gone.

Clearly, the painting had been swapped.

Bang!

The hand holding the safe paused, and the box nearly fell to the ground.

If the ancient painting could be swapped.

Other antiques might also have been switched.

Seeing her pause.

The curator’s expression tensed, asking respectfully, "President Thompson, is everything alright?"

Josephine Thompson snapped back, immediately concealing her shock and casually said, "Nothing, just end-of-year inventory, might be a bit busy. This year we’ll add several more exhibits, have the items assessed and reported to me."

"Understood, President Thompson."

Josephine Thompson said nothing further, carrying the safe as she walked out.

Right now, they mustn’t be alerted.

Since one painting has been swapped, other treasures certainly exist in counterfeit.

She must stabilize the internal thief first.

Then, catch them off guard, taking everyone involved in the theft down in one fell swoop.

She sat in the car.

Josephine Thompson’s fingertips still trembled slightly.

She closed her eyes, replaying the details of the ancient painting in her mind. The restoration marks had vanished completely, the brushwork so convincing even she, an expert, needed close inspection to tell.

The swapper was clearly not only familiar with the gallery’s security but also highly skilled in antique restoration.

"Miss, straight to Caldwen?" the driver asked through the rearview mirror.

"Yes, head straight there!"

"Okay." The driver started the car, driving directly toward Caldwen.

Her car was flanked by two follow-up vehicles.

They were filled with her bodyguards.

After the car stabilized.

She carefully opened the safe, and took out the Ancient God for a thorough check.

Fortunately, the Ancient God was genuine and not swapped.

Of course.

It’s not easy to counterfeit, so they wouldn’t dare to brazenly switch it.

"The treasure gallery requires three keys simultaneously to open. My key has never left my side; how did they open the safe?"

"This kind of incident at the treasure gallery; could it be happening at the other two galleries too?"

"They’re truly bold..."

Josephine Thompson’s expression grew darker, her heart colder.

Greed knows no bounds.

The curator and deputy curator already earn exorbitant salaries. Yet, they’re still not satisfied, daring to take such risks.

If she weren’t born into a family deeply entrenched in antiques, if she lacked the ability to discern authenticity, she would never have discovered such things.

For now, she cannot alert them prematurely to prevent them from having contingency plans.

...

Two hours later.

St. Mary’s Hospital in Caldwen.

Evelyn Thorne was already waiting at the hospital entrance.

Seeing her get out of the car, she quickly ran over, "Ms. Thompson, you finally came."

Josephine Thompson was frantic with worry, "How is Julian Grant?"

"It’s hard to say; he’s still unconscious."

"Then hurry and take me to his room."

Evelyn Thorne led her inside, "Yes, yes, follow me here."

"By the way, Grant the Dog’s mom is here too. You’d better be mindful when you see her."

"..." Josephine Thompson was stunned, looking at Evelyn Thorne without understanding.

Evelyn Thorne continued, "But no worries, Auntie Grant is very nice. Just speak sweetly, be obedient, and she’ll be quite easygoing."

Josephine Thompson listened, her heart sinking deeper, "Evelyn, I’m only here to see Julian. I’m not thinking about anything else."

"It’s fine, I’m just giving you a heads-up. Come on, let’s go quickly."

Josephine Thompson listened, feeling even more anxious.

However...

She was simply visiting Julian Grant as a friend.

Hopefully, his mom won’t misunderstand anything or make things difficult for her!

Five minutes later.

Evelyn Thorne led Josephine Thompson briskly to the VIP ward.