Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1008: Chapter 1004: There’s Also One That Got Switched Out

Tanaka Heiichi nodded: ”That’s correct, other museums’ exhibits were secretly sent to our museum. How did Watanabe Yasu find out about it? What’s more, his sudden request yesterday was indeed very unusual. I suspect they had premeditated this. Before this incident occurred, I didn’t think much of it, but once I heard the warehouse was robbed and recalled the behavior of Watanabe Yasu and Hattori Keiko yesterday, I felt something was amiss.”

”They could have waited to see the main exhibition when it opened, yet they insisted on using a flimsy excuse to see it beforehand. It doesn’t make sense, which is why I believe it’s likely that these two are related to the incident.”

Upon hearing this, Uehara Keijiro instinctively looked up and exchanged a glance with the head of the special investigation team. A hint of suspicion flashed in both of their eyes.

”Tell us again, what exactly happened yesterday after you took Watanabe Yasu and Hattori Keiko into the warehouse? Was there anything unusual?”

The head of the special investigation team, being adept at handling cases, asked sharp and direct questions.

Tanaka Heiichi looked up, bewildered at Uehara Keijiro, seemingly wanting to ask who this person was. Uehara Keijiro explained: ”This is the head of the special investigation team from the Police Department, specifically responsible for investigating this theft case.”

Tanaka Heiichi quickly nodded repeatedly and, after recollecting yesterday afternoon’s events, said: ”I explained the situation to the on-duty special police, who then opened the warehouse door, and I led Watanabe Yasu and Hattori Keiko inside.”

”They came to view the exhibits, so I took them to the section housing artifacts from other museums. Once inside, I explained each piece to them. During this time, they followed me around, albeit with slightly excited expressions on their faces, nothing seemed unusual. Later on...”

”Director!”

Just as Tanaka Heiichi was recounting yesterday’s events, a person suddenly burst in from outside, looking panicked.

Having already been frazzled all morning, Uehara Keijiro, upon seeing someone else approach him, appeared less than pleased. Without even turning his head, he reprimanded: ”What now? Can’t you see I’m busy?”

Stuttering, the person said: ”No, Director, there’s been another incident at the warehouse!”

Uehara Keijiro froze, turning back with a pale face: ”What did you say?!”

”The administrator just finished counting downstairs... It turns out that... besides the items stolen... there are also artifacts that have been swapped...”

The staff member explained hesitantly, but before he could finish speaking, Uehara Keijiro dashed out. The rest of the special investigation team members exchanged looks of bewilderment, and Tanaka Heiichi was also stunned.

A group of them quickly rushed to the underground warehouse, which was already in chaos.

”...The Sutra of the Bodhisattva’s Conception sent by Zhi’en Courtyard, the Oil Drop Tenmoku Bowl from the Osaka Eastern Ceramics Art Museum, the Gold and Silver Inlaid Hunting Mirror from the Eisei Bunko Library, the Master Wuquan Portrait from Kyoto Tohuku-ji Temple, the Ferocious Tiger Man-eating Vessel from the Izumiya Hakubutsukan, the Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Purple Sandalwood Five-String Pipa from the Imperial Household Agency Shosoin Northern Courtyard...”

The administrator responsible for recording was already numb, mechanically reciting the swapped artifacts, seemingly unable to think.

Upon hearing just a few names of the swapped items, Uehara Keijiro felt his blood freeze, a chill running from his feet upwards. He asked in a hoarse and choked voice: ”Those that were swapped, are they all... items sent from other museums?”

Those who personally inspected the authenticity of the items looked up at Uehara Keijiro. Although they did not verbally respond, the expression in their eyes gave him the answer.

Unable to control himself, Uehara Keijiro began to tremble, subconsciously trying to enter the warehouse to see the state of the swapped artifacts. But after only a few steps, he felt darkness overcome him and he could no longer hold on, collapsing to the ground unconscious.

Little did the unconscious Uehara Keijiro know that his collapse led to instant chaos throughout Dongdu.

——Police cars and ambulances appeared one after the other; what is causing such panic at the National Museum?

——According to reliable news, the Dongdu National Museum suffered a theft on Christmas Eve, and Director Uehara Keijiro has fainted from the shock.

——Breaking news, the National Museum was robbed last night, and the Police Department has already started investigating.

As several news stories broke out, Dongdu was thrown into an uproar. Typically, the National Museum would open its doors to visitors punctually at 9 AM, but even by 10 AM, the numerous tourists waiting at the museum’s entrance found it still closed, with no staff members appearing nor any news being released.

Everyone now sensed something was seriously wrong, especially the media outlets that thrive on uncovering eye-catching stories. They were energized, buzzing with excitement, flocking to the National Museum hoping to scoop up first-hand news to headline the front pages.

It wasn’t only the local Dongdu media, even news agencies nationwide and worldwide were closely following the event, eager to uncover the truth behind it all.

Some members of the public even began organizing spontaneous protests, demanding that the National Museum immediately disclose information, asserting that the public had the right to know.

The media’s incitement and public pressure forced the Police Department and the National Museum to confront the issue. Originally, they desired to suppress the news, but they discovered the more they tried to cover up the truth, the more public and media attention it attracted.

The truth is like a flame that cannot be concealed by paper. Understanding they could not keep this matter hidden any longer, the National Museum reluctantly held a press conference to publicly acknowledge the theft incident.

However, due to certain special reasons, the museum did not fully disclose the missing Huaxia artifacts. After all, these items were originally looted from Huaxia Country through illegal means. Admitting the stolen Huaxia artifacts were previously stored in the National Museum’s warehouse would mean acknowledging acts of invasion during the war and false past statements, which is an act of self-defeat they refused to do.

Yet, despite this, seeing the listed swapped exhibits from other museums and learning they were all swapped around, shocked not only Dongdu but the entire world.