At that moment, before a single word could leave anyone's mouth, the sharp sound of shards scattering across the polished floor filled the room. The ancient artifact lay in pieces, its once-priceless beauty now reduced to rubble. The air turned tense. A chill swept through the space like an invisible storm.
Without hesitation, Cecilia and Mark leapt to their feet in perfect unison, their instincts overriding all decorum. Chairs scraped backward. All eyes turned toward Evelyn little Evelyn who stood frozen, wide-eyed, her tiny hand slightly trembling near the edge of the table. Her lips quivered, but no sound came out. Just as her knees were about to buckle, Cecilia was already at her side, holding her gently by the shoulders.
"Evelyn, sweetheart, are you okay?" Cecilia asked in a breathless, rushed tone, scanning her little frame from head to toe. "Did it touch you? Are you hurt anywhere?"
