The Million-Dollar Heart

Mr. Cory was gobsmacked. He had never expected Karen to be such a prodigy, effortlessly sketching complex data charts as if it
was second nature. What kind of wizardry was this? Karen, oblivious to his astonishment, casually brushed a stray lock of hair
behind her ear.
"That's all the heads-up I can give you for now. This conundrum remains unsolved by anyone in the world." Standing up abruptly,
Mr. Cory bowed deeply to Karen.
"The scientific community is beyond fortunate to have researchers like you. Your contributions are invaluable."
His words sparked a wave of admiration among the guests, culminating in thunderous applause.
The next visitor was a kindly old lady, her hair silver with age, her high cheekbones and gentle eyes radiating warmth.
She approached slowly, adjusting her spectacles. Karen rose to help her to a chair, receiving a grateful smile in return. "My dear
Karen, your brilliance and flair are simply unmatched! Watching you solve those problems was a sight to behold."
"But the favor I seek might require us to step out," she added, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief.
Karen raised an eyebrow, a playful smile on her lips. "You'll have to spill the beans before I agree to anything."
Delighted, the old lady beamed. "I need your expertise in restoring a piece of pottery from the late Victorian era. But we'll need to
visit the restoration workshop where our specialists are."
"The conditions for preserving such artifacts are incredibly strict. A mere change in temperature or humidity could lead to
damage. Restoration is a delicate and often tedious process."
Karen pondered for a moment before asking, "Where is this workshop located?"
"Just a stone's throw from the Linklater estate, about a ten-minute drive. If it makes you feel more comfortable, your husband can
accompany us," the old lady suggested with a smile. Karen glanced over at Arthur.
"Alright, my husband will join us. But what about our guests?"
The old lady had thought of everything. "We've arranged for a live feed to be broadcasted on a large screen. It's an educational
opportunity for many." Satisfied, Karen agreed without further ado, and along with the old lady and Arthur, they left for the
workshop, leaving the guests to their own devices. As promised, they arrived at the workshop in ten minutes.

Arthur, holding Karen's hand, couldn't hide his pride. "Honey, when did you learn to restore antiques?"
Karen smiled, "I've always had a fascination with the past - pottery, ancient scripts, treasure hunting, and more. Just hobbies of
mine."
Arthur's grin widened. "Teach me sometime. Now that I'm not on the front lines, it'd be nice to have more in common."
"Consider it done," Karen assured him.
Inside the workshop, a team of conservators worked diligently, each absorbed in their task. The room was kept at precise
conditions suitable for restoration work.
Karen donned a mask and gloves, her focus undivided as she approached the shattered pieces of the Victorian pottery.
Methodically, she began the
restoration process. Using a 3D scanner, she captured the original shape of the pottery, then cleaned each fragment before
meticulously reassembling them with a special adhesive.
The old lady watched, tears welling up as Karen breathed new life into the cherished relic. "This pottery has immense
sentimental value to me. I had almost lost hope until today. Thank you." The onlookers were astounded by Karen's skill, their
respect for her growing even more.
Upon returning to the Linklater estate, Karen, ever composed, poured herself a cup of tea, reflecting on the day's events. Despite
the fatigue, the satisfaction of fulfilling the old lady's wish made it all worthwhile.
The fourth person to walk in was a woman, standing tall and graceful. She wore a striking red dress, its fabric interlaced with
golden thread patterns that shimmered under the light accentuating her hourglass figure and drawing attention to her elegant
silhouette.
Clasped in her delicate hands was an object, shrouded in a piece of red fabric, lending an air of mystery to her presence.
Karen raised an eyebrow, a spark of interest lighting up her eyes, accompanied by an intrigued smile. "Miss, how can I assist you
today?"
"Hello, my name is Donna. I have a keen interest in antiques, and I'm holding an item that I'd like you to appraise for me. I'm
curious to know whether it's authentic or not?"