Chapter 1

The Curator and all the experts were high-fiving and shaking hands, celebrating a major win.

Only Chloe, my junior colleague, the so-called genius who claimed she could commune with the 'spirits' of artifacts, was clinging to my leg, her eyes red and glistening.

"Harper, I know your methods are outdated, but you can't just give up like this! The relics need you!"

I coldly pulled my leg away.

In my past life, every time she 'appraised' an artifact, she'd just light a 'Spirit-Scent Incense' and accurately state its age, material, and even its hidden stories.

But all of that? It was data I'd pulled from sleepless nights in the lab, my own research.

In the end, she framed me as a national treasure thief, and I died unjustly in prison.

Now, I've been reborn to that exact moment: she was holding a fake legendary Dragon's Seal, just about to light her 'mystic incense' to 'read' it.

Chloe looked at me, her expression wounded. "Harper, I know they don't understand, but you believe me, right?"

The incense stick wavered in her hand, a thin trail of green smoke curling upwards.

In my last life, I was completely manipulated by that innocent, pitiful act.

"Chloe, are you really going to perform your little occult show in front of all these experts?" My voice was so calm, it even surprised me.

She froze for a second, clearly not expecting me to say that.

"Harper, I truly can sense the history of artifacts…"

"Enough!" The Curator slammed his hand on the table. "What 'sensing'? This is an artifact appraisal center, not some fortune-telling booth!"

Other experts shook their heads, sighing.

"Chloe, it's good for young people to have ideas, but this method…"

"It's just ridiculous!"

"We're here for scientific research, not superstition!"

Chloe's tears finally spilled. She bit her lip, her face stubbornly defiant.

"I know you don't believe me, but I really… I really can sense it!"

With that, she lit the incense stick.

Pale green smoke slowly rose, filling the room with a strange, heavy scent.

I stared at that incense stick, a wave of immense fury swelling inside me.

In my past life, it was this very incense stick that made everyone believe in Chloe's 'divine power,' making her famous overnight, while I became her stepping stone.

"Experts, please observe!" Chloe closed her eyes, putting on a show of piety. "I can sense the history of this legendary Dragon's Seal…"

She began to babble, talking about emperors' grievances and tears of blood from history.

But soon, her tone shifted. She started rattling off the exact scientific data I'd spent several sleepless nights compiling.

The experts in my past life listened, their jaws dropped. They actually ended up believing she could 'read' the artifacts.

But this time, I wouldn't let her succeed.

"Chloe, are you done with your act?" I suddenly stood up.

Everyone looked at me, including Liam, who was sitting next to me.

"Harper, you…" Chloe opened her eyes, a flicker of panic in them.

"You think lighting an incense stick will fool everyone?" I sneered. "Do you even know what's been added to this stick?"

Chloe's face instantly went pale.

"You're lying! It's just regular sandalwood incense!"

"Regular sandalwood?" I walked over to her, snatched the still-burning stick from her hand. "Then why does it contain hallucinogenic compounds?"

The conference room fell silent.

The Curator frowned. "Harper, what do you mean by that?"

I turned to the Curator, my voice sharp and clear. "Curator, I suggest we immediately perform a chemical analysis on this incense."

Chloe's hands began to tremble.

"Harper, why are you doing this to me? I just wanted to prove myself…"

"Prove yourself?" I scoffed. "Or prove how clever your deception is?"

Liam stood up, looking at me with concern. "Harper, aren't you getting too worked up? Chloe hasn't done anything. Don't scare her…"

I turned my head to look at him, a wave of profound disappointment washing over me.

He was just like this in my past life. Even when he knew Chloe was problematic, he always used that gentle tone to make excuses for her.

"Then you tell me, what's the scientific basis for 'Spirit-Scent Incense' appraising artifacts?"

"I didn't… it's just…"

"Just what? Just that you think I'm being unreasonable, that I'm targeting your perfect, innocent little junior sister?"

Liam's face flushed. "Harper, don't talk like that."

"Alright! Everyone quiet down. We'll test the incense's components now. Get someone from the forensics lab down here." The Curator made the final decision.