Chapter 231

The room erupted in shocked whispers as Glynnis became the focal point. The dramatic scene felt straight out of a prime-time drama. Thaddeus absorbed the revelation with darkened eyes, his expression eerily composed, as if he'd anticipated this all along.

Getting an audience with Alea was notoriously difficult. The idea that Glynnis could obtain her precious jewelry was laughable. The counterfeit was obvious. Thaddeus' blood boiled as his furious gaze locked onto Evadne again.

Evadne instinctively stepped back under his intense stare. What was that look supposed to mean? Some pathetic attempt to intimidate her?

Glynnis turned ghostly pale under the suspicious stares, clinging to Elspeth like a lifeline.

"Ms. Glynnis," Ada's voice dripped with venom, "was this all an elaborate con? Some cheap trick to manipulate me into working with Abernathy Hotel?"

Glynnis trembled violently, sweat beading on her forehead. Words failed her.

"I trusted you because of the Abernathy name," Ada continued, her voice rising. "Now I question everything about your family. This is hardly befitting Elmsworth's elite!"

Humiliated before her idol, Ada was ready to unleash her fury on Glynnis and the entire Abernathy empire.

The crowd murmured in agreement. A billionaire family gifting a fake to a superstar? And getting caught by Alea herself? The scandal would stain the Abernathy legacy forever, alongside Thaddeus' cheating disgrace.

"Ms. Ada," Thaddeus cut in coldly, "as CEO, I delegated wedding preparations entirely to Glynnis. Her actions reflect solely on herself, not the Abernathy Group."

Evadne's eyebrows shot up in surprise at his ruthless distancing.

Elspeth looked ready to explode.

"However," Thaddeus continued, his gaze deepening as it settled on Evadne, "I will personally compensate President Ashbourne and Ms. Alea for this counterfeit debacle."

The crowd exchanged glances. His words seemed proper, yet carried subtle implications.

Evadne scoffed, turning away. For a moment she'd thought he'd grown a spine, willing to let Glynnis face consequences. But no - he was still cleaning up their messes, still playing the dutiful son.

All his talk about wanting her to win? Empty words.

"Wait!" Elspeth jumped to her feet, face flushed with outrage. "Why are we being treated like criminals? We're victims too! My daughter went through great lengths to acquire this piece, knowing Ada's admiration for Alea's work. The Abernathy fortune could buy ten originals! Why would we risk our reputation with a fake? We demand justice against whoever deceived us!"

The audience rolled their eyes. Claiming they could buy ten Alea pieces? The sheer audacity.

"Elspeth," Liva finally interjected with icy precision, "everyone knows Alea's designs rarely circulate. Owners cherish them forever. Even with all your money, Alea would never sell to you."

She added with biting contempt, "By any measure, you're simply... unworthy."

Elspeth choked on her fury, practically steaming.

The crowd nodded approvingly. Elspeth's reputation in Elmsworth hung by a thread - only her Mrs. Frederic title kept her from being ostracized completely. Someone needed to put this delusional woman in her place.

"And Ms. Glynnis," Liva pivoted sharply, "were you truly deceived... or complicit in this fraud?"

Glynnis ground her teeth. "Of course I was fooled! I can afford the real thing!"

Liva's smirk was razor-sharp. "I wonder."

A ripple of shock passed through the room. There was more?

Thaddeus frowned, his dark eyes shifting to Evadne, who stood quietly beside him. The subtle curve of her lips told him everything. She'd orchestrated this entire spectacle, always three steps ahead, pulling invisible strings.

Her every movement was a gleaming arrow piercing his heart.

"What are you implying?" Elspeth shrieked, clutching Glynnis protectively. "How dare you slander my daughter!"

Liva ignored her, addressing Glynnis directly. "Surely you remember who you commissioned to replicate this necklace?"

Glynnis stayed silent, knowing any answer would be self-incrimination.

"Need a reminder?" Liva signaled, and a man's face appeared on the massive screen.

"Hello, Tyler," Liva greeted.

"Hi Liva. And... Professor." Tyler scratched his head sheepishly, glancing at Evadne.

"Your craftsmanship remains impeccable," Evadne remarked lightly. "I recognized your handiwork immediately."

Glynnis' vision blurred. Without Elspeth's support, she would have collapsed.

Tyler sighed guiltily, then held up a receipt to the camera. "I was commissioned to replicate an Alea piece. Note the signature."

Reporters jostled to zoom in. There, clear as day: "Glynnis Abernathy."

Elspeth's pupils constricted. "What's this?" she hissed. "You said Edith commissioned it!"

"Mom," Glynnis whimpered, tears welling, "Edith set me up!"