musicians of old

Chapter 828 Changes in the Plan
"What's this?" The reporter who had moved closer frowned. "Could this also be one of Leicester's methods of coercion?"

"Mr. Technician, how did you come up with this?" Nancy was even more shocked and broke out in a cold sweat.

"I can't explain it, it's just intuition."

Fan Ning couldn't actually say for sure that there was anything wrong with the bracelet.

Perhaps it's just due to the special material or craftsmanship of this bracelet?

Perhaps it's just that the shape or color of the shadow makes people associate it with "poisonous stings".

Of course, the surest way to avoid this is to try to help Nancy remove the bracelet; there are many lubricants for wrists in the repair room.

However, this method is actually inappropriate. First, there is not enough time. Second, as the symbol of the chief hammer holder's identity, it would be impolite not to wear it at the auction, which would be very strange.

Furthermore, if there were any problems with the bracelet, Leridge would know it all too well. If Nancy's wrist were empty in a moment, she would be immediately and thoroughly suspected.

“Let’s change the plan.” Fan Ning made the decision in the next moment. “The three of you will take turns. I’ll hold the hammer and smash things on the stage. You guys will guard the repair room and go to the main broadcasting station.”

If the person on stage had been replaced by some random person instead of Nancy, the guards would probably have rushed up immediately. However, the security shields always managed to buy time. Fanning started smashing things as soon as he stepped onto the stage, not even waiting for the final settlement and handover ceremony.

He wasn't wearing any bracelets on his wrists.

Moreover, he is stronger than Nancy.

“But that’s impossible.” Nancy’s eyes widened. “You can’t even get into the red carpet entrance or get the auction hammer, while I’m the opposite. I have to get out of this door, and once I’m out, I can’t go anywhere else. I can’t avoid getting to the entrance.”

Under such urgent practical constraints, things like "disguising oneself with makeup" or "swapping identities" are impossible to achieve.

Fan Ning tore off the maintenance logbook next to him with a "rip," and began to explain rapidly while sketching on the back:

"This is the red carpet entrance for those holding the hammer. Walk over here, take the auction hammer, and stand here to begin your ascent."

“Hmm.” Nancy stared at the thick lines. “It’s a vertical shaft structure. The platform I’ll enter is at the very bottom, and it will eventually emerge from the center of the auction hall’s stage.”

Fan Ning then drew another horizontal line from the middle of the "shaft": "This is the collection transfer channel, connected to the restoration room. After the collection has undergone my final inspection and the handover procedures are completed, it will be passed to you."

Nancy continued to nod; she was certainly familiar with this standard operating procedure.

Then, during the remaining time on the platform, she would cover each item of the collection with a red cloth and arrange them on the curved display stand.

According to etiquette standards, this action must be completed before meeting the audience.

The effect, as perceived by the guests, was that the hammer-wielder and the auction items rose gracefully from the center of the stage.

“But next to this passageway for transferring the collection, there is another abandoned door!” Fan Ning added two more heavy strokes.

"This door is wider, allowing people to pass through! It was originally designed for people to pass through! This is because in the original architectural design 50 years ago, both the hammer wielder and the artifacts entered from this height. It was only later, when a lower floor was added, that the artifact restoration room and the hammer wielder's entrance were separated!"

“I happen to know where this abandoned door can be opened. Then, during the pause in the ascent and the transport of the artifacts, we'll switch positions on the platform. I'll go into the platform, and you go back to the restoration room! As for Miss McAdam, you have more freedom of movement. I need you to go to the pneumatic communication control console to prepare, mainly to create a time difference. Nancy's schedule is too tight. However, once the ‘main feature’ officially begins, the level of security outside won't be as high. I've already informed the conductor, Mr. Gilbert Caplan, so go directly to him.”

"Knock knock knock!!" "Knock knock knock!!" A more urgent knocking sound rang out!

Fanning immediately crumpled the paper into a ball. "Thank you and all of you." Miss McAdam gave Fanning one last, deep look. "Nancy, we're heading out now, then we'll split up."

A sharp hissing sound of steam rang out, and the heavy cast-iron gate was opened.

Outside, a large crowd had gathered, and all eyes were on Vincent, who was lying on the chair.

Thank goodness, although the painter looked unwell, he was already breathing calmly with his eyes closed.

People came out one after another, except for Fanning, whose work required him to stay inside.

"Miss Nancy, please follow me to the red carpet, quickly."

The guards discreetly hid behind the guests, and Nancy was immediately taken away by the concierge manager; time was indeed running out.

"Yes, yes, as the editor-in-chief, I'm here to reveal that Mr. Fan Ning is not only a senior art collector restorer, but he could also be considered an outstanding chemist or pharmacist. Hmm, I heard there's a short performance in the second half, and the musicians have temporarily occupied the dressing room corridor. Which direction is it in? I've been there before, but it's really easy to get lost in there."

Miss McAdam wasn't assigned to any particular place, but after revealing what had happened in the restoration room, she quickly showed interest in interviewing the orchestra musicians.

A kind guest pointed her in the right direction.

Along the way, she noticed that the security force had significantly increased in the second half of the event.

"Hello, Commander." At the door of a room in the dressing corridor, she found Caplan, who was dressed in expensive clothes, had a haggard smile, and a receding hairline.

"Oh, I'm sorry, it really did interfere with your makeup." Caplan smiled ingratiatingly and made a gesture to step aside. "This collection doesn't have a dedicated rehearsal room, so, uh, there's nothing we can do."

The corridor was packed with people.

Musicians in suits came and went, and the sounds of orchestral practice and tuning filled the air, occasionally punctuated by the muffled thud of a timpani.

"I want to go up with you. Mr. Fanning just contacted you."

"Oh, come in quickly." Caplan immediately understood. "The control panel is half a head higher than our performance platform. Anyway, we can just pretend we don't know anything if something happens."

Mr. Adair, who commissioned Caplan to perform this piece and is the owner of the "Scherzo" score, is a good friend of technician Fanning.

Miss McAdam immediately rushed into the dressing room, quickly changed into a women's suit, and then spent a short while applying makeup at the vanity.

When she stepped out of the room again, she was carrying a cello case in her hand, and she kept her head slightly lowered to avoid bumping into it.

Perhaps if the guards noticed something amiss about her being alone and went to take a closer look, they would recognize her as the female reporter from before.

But mixed in with a group of musicians in suits, carrying various items upstairs, he blended in perfectly.

Meanwhile, Fanning had already locked herself back in the recovery room alone.

He took the "evidence of corruption" out of the locker and tucked it under his arm.

Then he strolled into the inner room where the collections were exchanged.