Chapter 100

Rylie went along with Johnny as he returned to the Reid estate.

The manor stood by the bay, built completely from white marble. Sapphire mosaics stretched across the domed ceilings, creating ripples like waves frozen in stone.

When they stepped into the main hall, the chandelier above scattered light in every direction. The reflection danced across the walls, giving the room the look of a palace beneath the sea.

Paintings lined the hall,each one showing a different cargo ship once owned by the Reid family. Every canvas told a piece of their long-standing maritime legacy.

"My grandmother's waiting in the treasure room," said Johnny as he walked beside her down a qquiet corridor.Past the windows, a row of private yachts shimmered in the moonlight, docked neatly just beyond the glass.

Inside that room, an older woman with silver hair let out a quiet sigh as she stared at a locked safe.

The moment she noticed Rylie, her dull gaze turned clear. "Is this the girl who pointed out the Buckley heirloom was fake? Please, sit down."

Rylie returned the greeting politely, though something inside the safe had caught her eye. Inside sat a set of jewelry, old and valuable. At the center was a rare ruby, its deep red glow pulsing under the light like a heart.

"That's the one," she murmured. Hulda reached inside carefully. "The appraisers said the gem's cut was too modern. They insisted it was fake."

Rylie slipped on a pair of gloves and grabbed a magnifying glass. She leaned in, studying every line and angle. Her finger drifted over the stone's surface and stopped where the edge dipped slightly.

"This isn't fake," she said without hesitation. "It's genuine. And it's worth a great deal."

The older woman's hands shook. Her cup dropped to the floor. "Real? But they were all so sure this is fake."

"They made an error," said Rylie, lifting the ruby toward the light. "Look here. You'll see tiny processing marks, but they weren't made with modern tools.They're from a lost technique used by the Osmond family. They were famous for restoring art pieces centuries ago. People who don't know that history will misread it."

She continued, "The Bocross craftsmen-masters in their time - were the ones who developed this cutting method to bring damaged heirlooms back to life. The knowledge didn't survive. That's why modern experts confuse it with forgery."

While she explained, Johnny couldn't take his eyes off her. Her poise, her mind, the way she moved-all of it held him still.

Across the room, Hulda saw the way her grandson looked at Rylie and immediately understood what he was thinking.

After finishing her explanation, Rylie looked up and asked softly, "Any questions left?"

Hulda exhaled in relief. "I knew l wasn't wrong to trust my instincts. This pieceis irreplaceable. But how could someone your age see what even the experts missed?"

Rylie gave a faint smile. "I read a lot. I've also spent years learning about jewelry. That helps. And this kind of piece needs to stay at a steady twenty degrees Celsius. Your vault mixes artifacts that need different storage. It's safer to keep them apart."

Before anyone could respond, a voice came from the doorway. "Madam, the appraiser from Crolens Museum is here."

Hulda showed a warm smile at Rylie and explained calmly, "Some folks from Okvale Museum said this was a fake. They even offered to discard it for me.I refused. I brought it home, planning to get another opinion from Crolens. My grandson then suggested inviting you too. I hope you won't take that the wrong way, Miss Rylie."

Rylie nodded. "No offense taken. It's smart to get more than one view."

Hulda turned to the servant and asked them to bring the appraiser inside.

The man who entered looked close to eighty,and carried himself like someone who'd spent decades in museum work. His expertise in antique jewelry was evident.

He took his time examining the gem under a magnifying glass, speaking quietly with Rylie as he worked.

Eventually, he straightened up, his tone certain."Those folks from Okvale have no idea what they're talking about. This is the real deal. If you ever want to donate it, our museum would be honored."

A content smile crossed Hulda's face. "That was my plan. My grandson will bring it over for you."

The appraiser then approached Rylie and handed her a card. "Take this. Your insight and knowledge are remarkable. Did you study this in school? We could really use someone like you at the museum."

Rylie took the card with a smile. "It's just a personal interest. My background's actually in medicine."

The old man blinked, clearly surprised."Your generation keeps raising the bar."

Johnny carefully stored the jewelry in a protective box and turned toward her. "I'mn heading that way myself. Let me give you a ride."

Hulda walked her to the door herself, her grip on Rylie's hand warm and sincere. "Come by whenever you'd like. If there's anywhere you wish to visit,just let Johnny know. Our ships can take you anywhere."

Touched by the gesture, Rylie looked at her and smiled. "Thank you, Mrs. Reid."

Hulda let go, glanced at Johnny, then watched them go with a quiet smile.

Johnny placed the box securely in the rear seat and started the car. They followed 'close behind the museum vehicle as it rolled onto the highway.

He glanced to the side, where the sea met the road.

The moon had begun to rise, its light dancing on the waves and painting the ocean with a silver glow.

He turned to Rylie in the passenger seat, then reached forward and tapped a button. The roof folded back.Cool wind rushed in and swept through her hair,making her blink against it.

"Is there anything you're not good at?" he asked suddenly.

Rylie turned her gaze to the sea. "What?"

Johnny gave a small laugh. "Medicine. Music.Appraisal. Is there anything you can't master?"

Rylie gave a playful smile. "I just taught myself these things on the side. They're nothing more than hobbies.I know a little about each, but not enough to call myself an expert."

Johnny laughed under his breath, his fingers tapping lightly against the wheel. "Hobbies? Those 'pastimes'put seasoned professionals to shame."

The breeze caught Rylie's hair. She tucked it behind her ear and glanced at him. "Was that your way of paying me a compliment?"

"I was just being honest." Johnny's eyés narrowed as he looked into the rearview mirror. "That black car's been behind us for three turns now."

Rylie cast a brief glance at the mirror. The SUV was following from a distance that wasn't too far,but not close enough to seem innocent. She leaned slightly toward him. "Who else knows about the jewelry?"

"Only my grandmother. The man from Crolens Museum too. Aside from them..." He tightened his grip on the wheel. "The folks from Okvale Museum."

She looked back toward the mirror. "Okvale? They've been in the city for years. Could they be resorting to something like this?"

Her eyes turned sharp as she added, "That's a professional tail. Pull over. I'll take it from here."

Johnny blinked. "I can drive too, you know.Why would I hand over the wheel?"

Rylie shot back, "Keep arguing, and we'll lose everything- including that expensive jewelry. Pull over or get robbed."

As Johnny hit the brakes, the SUV suddenly accelerated toward them! Without missing a beat,Rylie unlatched her seatbelt,vaulted over the console,and shovedhim toward the other seat. "Strap in!"

She moved so fast that he didn't even realize what had happened until he found himself on the passenger side.

A loud crash followed. The SUV rammed into the back of their car.

Rylie fixed her gaze on the rearview mirror, her voice low as she commanded, "Get help on the line."

Johnny pulled out his phone and dialed quickly,glancing at the back window. "They're gaining on us!"

The off-road vehicle jerked to a stop. Four masked men leapt out, metal rods in hand, closing in without a word.