Page 89 of Johan.

“But what about Cambridge? Professor Anderson is really counting on us to bring the best to the labs for a careful examination.”

“Not the jewelry, Johan. Everything made of gold, precious stones, and diamonds doesn’t need to be in a lab,” Ludovic replies, his tone turning slightly impatient.

I nod again, knowing we’re being recorded. “Very well. When should we leave?”

“In three days' time. It will be a quick stay, one night only. We go, we sell, and we come back,” Ludovic says, taking a sip of his whiskey.

“Sure, I’ll get ready,” I say, standing up.

Before I can walk away, though, Ludovic stands in front of me, his gaze piercing. “Not a word to Astrid or anyone about this. Okay? This little chat stays strictly between us.”

“Understood,” I say, meeting his eyes.

As I turn to leave, Ludovic calls out to me, his voice stopping me in my tracks. “One more thing, Johan,” he says, his tone carrying a weight that sends a chill down my spine.

I turn around slowly, trying to keep my expression neutral. “Yes?”

He steps closer, the flickering light casting shadows across his face. “Make sure you’re ready for anything. This isn’t just a simple trip. There are… complications that could arise. Stay sharp.”

I nod, feeling the gravity of his words settle heavily on me. “I understand. I’ll be prepared.”

“Good,” Ludovic says, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. “That’s what I like to hear.”

I take a deep breath and ask, "What should I tell the rest of the team about our sudden departure?"

Ludovic’s smile widens, a glint of cunning in his eyes. “Just say we had a family emergency. It’s vague enough not to invite too many questions.”

“Got it,” I reply, turning once more to leave.

As I exit the tent, the desert air feels cooler against my skin. The stakes have just gotten higher, and the game is more dangerous than ever. The desert around me feels even more desolate, a stark contrast to the treacherous path I now find myself on.

Back in my tent, I pull out my phone and call Lukas. He arrives quickly, concern etched on his face. We sit down, and I take a deep breath before speaking.

“I have to leave for London in three days with Ludovic,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “He told me there’s a family emergency.”

Lukas frowns, skepticism clear in his eyes. “A family emergency?”

“Yes,” I reply, meeting his gaze. “It’s unexpected, but we need to work together to supervise the site while I’m gone.”

Lukas shakes his head slightly, disbelief evident on his face. “This seems… unusual, Johan.”

Before he can press further, I lower my voice and lean in. “You know why I’m going,” I whisper, making sure no one else can hear. “We’ll catch him soon. Everyone stays vigilant, and if you find the Star, make sure he knows nothing about it.”

Understanding dawns in Lukas’s eyes, and he nods. “Got it,” he says, his voice hushed. “We’ll keep everything running smoothly.”

“Good,” I say, feeling a sense of relief that he’s on the same page. “We can’t afford any mistakes.”

“Don’t you think we shall talk to Rachid? He’s been of great support and?—”

“Once I come back,” I reply, cutting him off. “Otherwise, he’ll never let us go, and we’ll not gather the evidence to prove he’s a treasure hunter.”

Lukas nods in agreement and then walks away.

As he leaves, I feel a renewed sense of determination. I heave a long sigh, the weight of Ludovic’s words and the responsibility ahead pressing down on me.

This is a dangerous game, but I'm more than ready to play.

Ludovic and I step out of the car, the cool night air wrapping around us as we approach the library in the center of London. The wind and rain are a stark contrast to the blistering heat of the desert we left behind, adding an eerie atmosphere to our clandestine mission. The library appears to be just another old, dusty repository of books to an outsider, but there's anundercurrent of tension in the air, something that sets my nerves on edge.

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