Chapter 1062:
Her curiosity was piqued. She had planned to go straight to her hotel to rest after the flight, with no other commitments.
Dennis’s smile widened. “In that case, I’ll have someone meet you at the main entrance.”
“No need, Dennis,” Rylie said. “I’d prefer to keep a low profile this visit. Given the circumstances, it might cause a commotion, and I’d rather not draw attention.”
Dennis nodded in agreement. “All right. Just give me a call when you arrive.”
Rylie walked leisurely down the sycamore-lined avenue near the Academy gates, her bodyguards maintaining a discreet distance. She carried the small bag of herbal tea.
It was the Royal Academy of Arts’ open day, when the public could enter freely without registration, so access was effortless.
The Academy looked particularly beautiful in spring. Tourists filled the grounds, pausing to photograph the blend of historic buildings and modern design.
Carrying her bag, Rylie blended into the crowd. She moved without hurry, appreciating the scenery and the various art installations.
Her destination, however, was clear. She headed straight for the main building of the Music Department, where Dennis’s office was located.
𝘈𝘥𝘥𝘪𝖼𝘵𝘪𝗏e 𝗇𝗈𝗏e𝗹𝗌 𝗈n 𝗀𝖺𝗅n𝗈𝗏𝘦𝗅ѕ.𝘤o𝘮
On the lawn before the building stood a large notice board, already surrounded by a dense crowd.
Mounted on it was a high-resolution enlargement of an ancient musical score. Accompanying notes explained that the piece came from Dennis’s private collection and invited students, faculty, and experts to attempt its restoration. The display had drawn considerable attention. Confident students, curious scholars, and fascinated visitors clustered around, engaged in animated discussion about the score, each eager to contribute their knowledge.
Rylie approached the bulletin board and studied the photocopied sheet music pinned there. Her eyes carefully traced the notes, searching for clues. Around her, the crowd continued to gather. Soon an old woman, intrigued by Rylie’s focused expression, stepped closer and asked, “Young lady, are you a student here?”
Rylie glanced away briefly, sliding the bag of herbal tea higher on her arm. She then picked up the pencil and paper placed beside the board for visitors to leave comments.
With a gentle smile, she replied, “No, I’m just here to have a look.”
Just as she raised the pencil to jot down some initial thoughts, a sudden commotion stirred behind her. Voices called out, urging people to clear a path.
“Out of the way,” came a slightly annoyed voice.
A group of students, surrounding someone dressed in a smart blazer, pushed through the crowd. In the rush, one of them collided with Rylie’s raised elbow.
The pencil in her hand scraped a stray line across the page as she stepped aside, the tea bag swinging lightly from her wrist. Nearby, a few tourists muttered in frustration. “Hey, why are you pushing ahead? Just wait your turn like everyone else.”
One young man, Connor Nixon, flashing the badge on his chest, replied with a smug smile, “We’re from the Royal Academy of Arts—elite music students. We’re not just here to browse; we’re here to solve the puzzle.”
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