Corrine’s gaze remained composed as she replied evenly, “It’s just a small token. I’m glad you like it.”
“Some people refuse to own up to their mistakes until they’re backed into a corner!” Rita’s cutting voice sliced through the air as she threw Corrine a scornful glance, her lips curving into a derisive smirk.
“Even now, she won’t admit the truth. Does she really think we’re all ignorant about antiques?”
Someone among the guests piped up with a smirk, “It’s simple enough-bring in an expert to appraise it. If it’s authentic, Miss Holland’s name is cleared. If not…”
“If not,” Rita interjected sharply, her eyes blazing with malice.
“Then Miss Holland can smash the pen holder herself and kneel before my grandfather to apologize!”
The room fell silent at those words.
Rita, known for her poise, shocked everyone with her forceful demands. Bringing a fake antique to Farris’ birthday was indeed a breach of etiquette, yet it hardly seemed to justify such a severe reaction as kneeling.
Amid the stillness, Corrine chuckled softly, her voice cool as she pierced the silence, asking, “What if it’s authentic?”
Rita’s eyes met Corrine’s, which glinted with an unnerving resolve, sending a chill through her.
With composure, Corrine asked again, “What if it’s authentic?”
Jolted from her daze, Rita cleared her throat and defiantly responded, “Should it be real, I will kneel and make my apologies.”
“Rita!” Tracy quickly stepped forward, but Rita ignored her.
“Don’t worry, Mom. It’s valued at 9.54 million. Does she even have that amount?” Rita asked, her posture proud as she faced Corrine confidently. She was sure that the pen holder Corrine presented was nothing but a fake.
“Remember what you said,” Corrine’s reminder tightened Rita’s chest with a sudden surge of fear.
The words had been spoken; there was no taking them back. Moreover, the figure was 9.54 million. Rita doubted Corrine could muster such a vast amount. She looked forward to witnessing Corrine’s fall from grace once the truth came out
Whispers swirled among the spectators.
“None of us are experts, though. We shouldn’t rush to conclusions. Does anyone here have the expertise?” The question lingered in the ensuing silence.
They were merely spectators, unwilling to cause a stir just for amusement.
Diego, his expression a mix of emotions, spoke to Farris with respect.
“I know Donnelly Gilbert, a well-known antique collector. I could call him. His knowledge might help us clear this up. Would that work for you?”
Breaking his silence, Farris replied, “Diego, please, go ahead and call him.”
At this moment, in Timeless Treasures, Donnelly sat cross-legged on a mat, lifting a cup as he glanced at the man opposite him.
“I wonder what brings you to seek me out, Mr. Hopkins?”
Nate looked up at Donnelly, a subtle, inscrutable smile tugging at his lips.
“I heard you have some connections with the Ford family in Lyhaton.”
Hearing this, Donnelly’s eyes darkened, his gaze sharp as a blade directed at Nate.
“Mr. Hopkins, I don’t know much about your marriage arrangement with the Ford family, but let me be frank: you cannot touch the Ford family.” His calm tone carried an undercurrent of turbulent waves, ready to erupt at any moment.
“There seems to be a misunderstanding,” Nate replied calmly.
“I planned to visit the Ford family in a few days and wanted to know Mr. Carl Ford’s preferences, so I came to ask.”
Donnelly narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Nate.
At that moment, an assistant entered, handing him a phone.
“Mr. Gilbert, it’s a call from someone named Diego Newman.”
Donnelly glanced at the assistant, took the phone, and stood up. When he spoke again, his voice had returned to its usual amiable tone.
“Diego, what can I do for you?”
On the other end, Diego recounted the situation with the Ashton family in detail. Donnelly’s eyes sharpened.
“Are you saying… a pen holder from the 19th century? That pen holder was unique to Timeless Treasures. Even counterfeits were rare on the market.”
He had been told that Corrine had purchased it that morning. How could it appear at the Ashton family home?
Diego said, “The Ashton family insists it’s a fake. Though it’s not my business, seeing that woman almost forced to kneel and apologize is heart-wrenching. That’s why I ask you to come and mediate.”
Donnelly pondered for a moment.
“Alright, give me a moment.”
He hung up and turned to Nate.
“Mr. Hopkins, I apologize. A friend has asked for my help, so I must leave temporarily.”
“Are you going to the Ashtons?” Nate stood up as well.
Donnelly nodded.
“Yes.”
“I’m heading there too. Let me give you a ride.”
“Thank you.”
At the Ashton family residence, the servants had tidied up everything, leaving the guests seated in anticipation on both sides of the room. They were all awaiting the celebrated antique expert, Donnelly Gilbert.
The Ashton family looked on with delight as Corrine took her seat among them.
Unruffled by the tension, Corrine elegantly sipped her coffee, exuding a poised sophistication.
The light in the room cast a soft glow on Corrine, whose stunning features were illuminated as if she were a breathtaking piece of art.
“Why are you acting so unaffected, Corrine?” Rita asked, her frustration boiling over at Corrine’s composed facade.
“Just be honest, and no one will blame you. Otherwise, when Donnelly gets here, you’ll be trapped.”
The memory of Corrine’s earlier remark, “Remember what you said,” weighed heavily on Rita, leaving her no choice but to press Corrine into confessing that the artifact was a fake.
Earlier, Rita had stealthily verified on her smartphone that the pen holder was of incredible value, previously fetching 9.54 million at an auction and purchased by an unknown collector, its current owner still a mystery.
However, it was clear to Rita that Corrine was not the pen holder’s rightful owner.
Ever since that pen holder fetched such a high price at auction, the market had been inundated with imitations.
This only solidified Rita’s suspicion that the piece was a fake.
Corrine’s eyes flickered momentarily toward the gem Leah had given to Farris, before she averted her gaze, responding casually, “Miss Ashton, please, don’t talk about things you don’t understand.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.