Professor Macmillan stood at the podium, his gaze sweeping across the students.
He cleared his throat, his voice resonant.
"Today's lecture will be delivered by Ms. Sullivan in my stead."
He stepped aside, gesturing for Sophia to take his place.
"I believe under her guidance, you'll all gain invaluable insights."
Sophia approached with measured steps, her expression composed.
Her cool voice carried through the auditorium.
"Good morning, I'm Sophia Sullivan."
Chalk scraped against the blackboard as she wrote three bold characters.
Whispers erupted among the students.
"Ms. Sullivan looks so young!"
"Is she really more skilled than Professor Macmillan?"
A bold male student raised his hand.
"Ms. Sullivan, which artifacts have you restored?"
A female student chimed in.
"Do you have any instructional videos we could study?"
Questions came rapid-fire.
Professor Macmillan moved to restore order, but Sophia had already descended the platform.
Dressed in casual gray with her hair loosely pinned up, she carried an air of effortless elegance.
Only upon closer inspection could one appreciate the antique wooden hairpin securing her chignon.
"Personal inquiries fall outside today's curriculum."
Sophia's steady voice commanded attention.
"A conservator's duty is to preserve history, not chase fame."
The classroom gradually quieted.
She removed the hairpin, releasing a cascade of dark hair.
"Who can identify the restoration marks on this piece?"
Sunlight glinted off the polished wood.
"There's a reward for the correct answer."
Excitement buzzed through the room.
The hairpin passed from hand to hand.
Finally, it reached Ethan Sullivan.
The smooth jade felt cool against his fingertips.
Sophia's gaze lingered on him, amusement dancing in her eyes.
"Care to take a guess, Mr. Sullivan?"
Under the collective stare of the class, Ethan rose.
His tailored black suit marked him as an outsider among students.
"Who's that? Never seen him before."
"So handsome—should we ask for his number?"
Murmurs swirled around them.
Ethan's attention remained fixed on Sophia.
His lips curved into a lazy smile.
"I detect no restoration marks."
His fingers traced the hairpin's contours, eyes burning with intensity.
"To me, it's flawless."
The words carried the weight of a veiled confession.
Their eyes met briefly before Sophia looked away.
"Doesn't anyone have the answer?"
She deliberately raised her voice, stoking the students' competitive spirit.