Chapter 7
After that day, Marcus became much more low–key.
This wasn’t just because of his guilt toward me, but also because Bennet Group faced massive online backlash due to Sienna’s negative publicity.
I had deliberately stayed away from the internet during those months, only recently learning the truth.
It turned out that the movie based on Sienna’s story was exposed even before its release—her so–called “award–winning screenwriter” persona was completely fabricated.
Her award–winning works were actually plagiarized.
She had stolen original works from at least twenty unknown
screenwriters.
Initially, Marcus tried to suppress the controversy to prevent it from escalating.
But for some reason, two months ago he suddenly unfollowed Sienna, reigniting the scandal among netizens.
From then on, Sienna transformed from a once–celebrated talented woman into a universally despised plagiarist.
However, none of this concerned me.
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Chapter 7
After three years, my work was finally nearing completion.
+2 Bonus
As long as I ensured all the artifacts were successfully restored, my mission in the Mojave Desert would be accomplished.
After that, I could take Jayla back to the city, where she could study peacefully and grow up healthy.
Thinking about this made me feel much lighter every day.
This particular day, it was my turn for the night shift.
The research institute was extremely remote, practically hidden in the desert.
Every night, the surroundings fell into dead silence.
Even though I’d been living here for three years, I still occasionally felt scared.
Whenever I worked the night shift, Jayla would always bring Max to keep me company.
I’d play cartoons for her on the iPad, then put on my headlamp and continue working.
Late at night, Jayla would fall fast asleep, cuddling Max.
But I faintly heard unusual footsteps outside the research
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Chapter 7
institute.
+2 Bonus
Max instantly became alert, letting out a low growl.
Given the special nature of the research institute, we had long been a target for criminals.
Sure enough, before I could call the police, someone cut the power, plunging the entire building into darkness.
Just as I was sending an emergency message, everything suddenly went wrong.
Behind me in the office were the already restored artifacts.
If those items fell into tomb raiders‘ hands, the consequences
would be unthinkable.
But I had Jayla, who had just woken up, in my arms–I absolutely couldn’t let her get hurt.
To avoid being discovered, I gripped a restoration scraper tightly in my hand, covered Jayla’s mouth, and carefully moved toward the emergency exit.
However, we still made noise going downstairs.
There were five of them in total, all wearing masks and built like
tanks.
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Chapter 7
They quickly chased after us.
+2 Bonus
Terrified, I picked up Jayla and ran desperately toward the exit, but we were obviously much slower than them.
Just as we were about to be caught, Marcus burst through the door with the police.
However, no one expected those tomb raiders to be carrying homemade shotguns.
The moment the gunshot rang out, Marcus lunged toward me, trying to protect me.
But instinctively, I pushed him away and shielded Jayla tightly beneath me.
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