Page 101 of Johan.

Sir Gregory’s eyes widen as he takes in the sight of the artifact. “Is that…?”

“Yes,” I confirm, my voice steady. “This is the Star of Ubar, one of our most significant findings. But there's more we need to discuss.”

The room falls silent, the weight of the moment palpable. I take a deep breath and begin. “We uncovered something unexpected during our expedition, and it involves Ludovic, our main sponsor.”

Dean Pembroke leans forward, nodding at me. “Go on. They need to know.”

I exchange a glance with Angela, who nods encouragingly. “Ludovic has been stealing artifacts and selling them to an underground broker known as Loki in London.”

The reaction is immediate. Shocked gasps and murmurs fill the room. Sir Gregory holds up a hand for silence. “How do you know this, Johan?”

I swallow hard, feeling the eyes of the council bore into me. “I was playing along, pretending to be an accomplice. It was the only way to gather evidence and understand the extent of his operations.”

The council members exchange looks of disbelief and concern. Professor Anderson's face is stern. “That’s a serious accusation, Johan. How come we only know about it now?”

“I knew about it,” Dean Pembroke steps in. “The officials in Oman had asked maximum secrecy until Ludovic leaves the site and comes back to the UK.” Everyone’s stunned, myself included. “The secret services are still following him, waiting for him to leave his hotel and go to meet Loki.”

I nod and introduce Amelia, who steps forward, her presence commanding the room. “This is Amelia. She has been missing for twenty years, kidnapped by Ludovic when she discovered his intentions of stealing artifacts.”

Amelia’s story unfolds slowly, each word heavy with the pain and resilience of her experience. She describes the day Ludovic took her, the years of captivity, and the harrowing moments of escape. The council listens, rapt and horrified, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

When she finishes, the room is silent. Dr. Eleanor Hargrove clears her throat, her voice tinged with respect and sorrow. “Thank you, Amelia. Your bravery is commendable.”

Rachid speaks up, his tone measured but firm. “The Omani government has been made aware of these allegations and is fully prepared to cooperate with the British authorities to bring Ludovic to justice.”

Sir Gregory turns to one of the assistants. “Let’s keep in touch with the authorities. We need to ensure Ludovic is arrested before he has a chance to flee.”

As the meeting draws to a close, I gather my courage and clear my throat. “May I speak to the council alone?" My request hangs in the air, and the council members exchange glances before nodding in agreement.

I turn to my team, offering a tight smile. “Thank you, everyone. You can go ahead. I'll join you shortly.”

Angela gives me a curious look, but she doesn't ask questions. Amelia nods in silent support, and Rachid offers a brief, encouraging smile. Lukas, always attentive, hesitates for a moment before gathering his things and leaving with the rest.

The heavy wooden door closes behind them, and I am left standing alone before the council. The room feels larger now, more imposing. I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of my next words pressing heavily on my shoulders.

Sir Gregory is the first to break the silence, his voice calm but firm. “What is this about, Johan? And why did you need to send your team away?”

I swallow hard, feeling my mouth suddenly dry. “I have a confession to make,” I begin, my voice wavering slightly. The council members' eyes are fixed on me, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and concern. The silence in the room is thick, almost suffocating. “It concerns a dear friend of mine, a fresher in History of Art, Ms. Hannah van den Bosch.”

I pause, gathering my thoughts and feeling the weight of my words pressing down on me. “Hannah suffers from kleptomania and is currently undergoing therapy. Unfortunately, she was caught on camera stealing at two different exhibitions. I confronted her, and she returned the items. This incident happened back in October. If I may ask for anything in return for my services, it’d be to give Hannah a second chance.”

The council members are visibly stunned. Sir Gregory leans forward, his brow furrowed. “Why are you telling us this now?” he asks, his tone sharp with surprise.

I take another deep breath, steadying myself. “Because Astrid knows about it and intended to use this secret against me to get Hannah expelled. Hannah didn’t act maliciously; she’s been diagnosed with kleptomania since she was twelve. I'm monitoring her, and I firmly believe she doesn’t deserve to be expelled for something beyond her control.”

Sir Gregory narrows his eyes, probing deeper. “But why would Miss Goschen do such a thing? Isn’t she your fiancée?”

My heart pounds harder, and I hesitate, taking a few deep breaths. “Astrid threatened to expose Hannah if I didn't comply with her demands. In exchange for her silence, I had to get engaged to her. It was the only way to protect Hannah from being expelled.”

The council members’ reactions are immediate and shocked. Sir Gregory's face turns red with anger. “That is beyond outrageous. We shall take disciplinary action against her behavior, too. Looks like she learned a thing or two from her dad.”

The room falls silent again, the council members exchanging looks and whispering among themselves. Each second feels like an eternity, the tension almost unbearable. I can hear my heart pounding in my chest, a steady, anxious rhythm.

Finally, Sir Gregory speaks, his tone measured and thoughtful. “Given all you have done for the university, we will not take disciplinary action against Ms. Hannah, even though stealing is a serious offense. However,” he pauses, ensuring his words carry the necessary weight, “she must continue her therapy, and we will remain in contact with her therapist to monitor her progress.”

A wave of relief washes over me, and I bow my head gratefully. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

As I exit the grand council chamber, the heavy wooden door closing behind me, I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders. The cool air of the hallway is a welcome contrast to the stifling tension of the chamber. The path ahead is still fraught with challenges, but for now, I've secured a future for Hannah. And with that, I take a step closer to breaking free from Astrid's grip.

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