Chapter 169: Finally Got It

When the elevator reached the basement, Ben Gates said, "OK, I'm at the repair room door. Here's what to do next."

"Use a UV flashlight to scan the keyboard for the keys that were pressed," Riley quickly instructed. "I have a program on my computer that can crack the password."

Ben Gates pulled out a UV flashlight and scanned the keyboard, revealing numerous fingerprints on the keys. "The pressed keys are AEFG LORVY."

After a few seconds, Riley said, "These letters can form over a hundred words and phrases. I'll read them to you, Ben."

Riley recited about a dozen words, and Ben Gates shook his head, dismissing them. "No, it should be 'Valley Forge.'" A few seconds later, William heard the electronic door unlock through his earpiece.

William felt secretly relieved. It was fortunate that Ben Gates was the one stealing. If William had been the one trying, he definitely wouldn't have guessed the password. Word puzzles required a deep understanding of native culture, something William, a fake Westerner, lacked.

"Ha, Ben, I see you on the video. Who knew you looked pretty good in a formal suit? But too bad you're not as handsome as that pretty boy William. You have five minutes, make it quick," Riley teased.

"Oh God, can you stop mentioning William? I'm worried he's hiding somewhere waiting for us. Even though William said he wasn't interested in the treasure anymore, I can't shake the feeling something's wrong. Riley, are you sure you haven't been followed these past few days?"

Riley whistled. "Of course, relax. I installed surveillance around the car. Nothing escapes my eyes and computer, except for that unlucky traffic ticket from a cop yesterday."

"Alright, I hope it's just me being paranoid," Ben Gates said, sounding more at ease. After a minute or two, he exclaimed excitedly, "It's open! Riley, prepare in 30 seconds. I'm coming up."

"OK, don't worry. I can see the security room in the archive. The guards are chatting, no problems."

A minute later, William stood not far from the elevator, watching Ben Gates exit and hurriedly enter the gift shop.

What's going on? Shouldn't this guy be making a run for it? As he turned, he saw Abigail approaching.

Inside the gift shop, Ben Gates was anxious. It wouldn't be long before the patrolling guards discovered the situation in the basement. He had to leave the archive immediately.

He kept an eye on Abigail and, after she walked away, quickly tried to leave. But he had only taken a few steps when a store clerk called out to him.

"Hey, sir, are you planning to leave without paying? Or are you trying to steal a $35 replica of the Declaration of Independence?"

"What?" Ben Gates looked confused. Under the clerk's disdainful gaze, he glanced at the rack of Declaration replicas and then at the genuine article in his hand.

Having no choice, he pretended to have forgotten about it and walked to the counter to pay.

"Sorry, I got distracted. How much?"

"$35."

"What? $35 for a piece of paper?"

The clerk replied irritably, "I didn't set the price. If you don't want it, put it back."

Ben Gates had to pay. After rummaging through his pockets, he found only $33.67.

The clerk scoffed, "We accept cards."

Time was running out. Ben Gates couldn't afford any delays, so he reluctantly paid by card but smartly bought an additional replica.

After paying, he wrapped both the genuine and replica Declarations in his jacket and hurried towards the stairs. William followed closely behind.

Abigail, still suspicious of Ben Gates, saw him too. Just as she was about to approach, she noticed William following him and curiously trailed them.

At the staircase, William used a mage hand to trip Ben Gates, who was descending the last few steps. Amused, William was about to switch the genuine Declaration with the fake one from his storage space when he heard the sound of high heels approaching.

A quick scan with his mental energy revealed someone following them. Looking up, he saw Abigail watching.

"Damn," William cursed under his breath. He pointed to the fallen Ben Gates, prompting Abigail to investigate. She saw Ben Gates pick something up and hurry towards the side door.

At this point, William had no choice but to let Abigail follow. If he tried to stop her, she might suspect him later.

Soon, the basement guards would discover the missing Declaration, triggering an alarm and sealing off the archive. They had to leave immediately.

Outside, Ben Gates spoke into his earpiece, "I'm out. Start the car."

Seeing Ben Gates exit, Riley happily responded, "No problem." As the car started, Riley glanced at the archive entrance, surprised. "Ben, I see William following you. Get in the car, Ben. God, there's a chick following him too."

Ben Gates quickly moved to the back of the van, opened the door, and used it to block William and Abigail's view as he stashed the genuine Declaration inside. Holding the replica, he turned to face William and Abigail with a smile.

"Hey, William, hey, Miss Abigail. What a great party tonight. Why aren't you enjoying it a bit longer?"

William smiled, sensing the genuine Declaration now hidden in the van.

Abigail, noticing the suspicious bulge in Ben Gates' clothes that looked like the Declaration, confronted him. "Ben, what do you have there?"

Seeing Ben Gates' unnatural expression, Abigail exclaimed, "Oh my God, you really stole the Declaration of Independence!"

Panicking, she stepped back and shouted towards the archive, "Guards, guards!"

Abigail's shouting startled Ben Gates and Riley. Ben quickly moved to stop her.

William, having already sensed the genuine Declaration inside the van, took advantage of Ben Gates and Abigail's scuffle and Riley being in the driver's seat. He discreetly swapped the replica from his storage space with the genuine one.

Just as he was about to retrieve the genuine Declaration with his mental energy, he saw Riley opening the door to get out.

Worried that Riley or Ben Gates might see him touching the Declaration, William used his mental energy to slide the genuine document under the van.

Within two seconds, William walked over to Abigail and Ben Gates, pretending to calm them down. "Ben, calm down. What you're doing isn't very gentlemanly."

He then held onto Ben Gates while Abigail, seizing the opportunity, grabbed the replica from Ben's hand and ran, shouting for guards.

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