Chapter 106

At the Mitchell family residence, servants had tidied everything, leaving guests seated expectantly on both sides of the room. All awaited the celebrated antique expert, Steve Smith.

The Mitchell family watched with delight as Vivienne took her seat. Unruffled by the tension, she elegantly sipped her coffee, each gesture exuding poised sophistication. The room’s soft light illuminated Vivienne’s stunning features, making her appear like a breathtaking work of art.

“Why are you acting so unaffected, Vivienne?” Diana asked, her frustration evident. “Just be honest; no one will blame you. Otherwise, when Steve arrives, you’ll be trapped.” The memory of Vivienne’s earlier, cryptic remark, “Remember what you said,” weighed heavily on Diana, compelling her to pressure Vivienne into confessing the artifact was a fake. Earlier, Diana had discreetly verified on her smartphone that the pen holder was incredibly valuable, having fetched 9.54 million at auction and purchased by an unknown collector; its current owner remained a mystery. However, it was clear to Diana that Vivienne was not its rightful owner. The pen holder’s high auction price had since flooded the market with imitations, solidifying Diana’s suspicion that the piece was a fake.

Vivienne’s eyes flickered momentarily toward the gem Natalie had given Everett, before she calmly replied, “Miss Mitchell, please, don’t discuss things you don’t understand.”

“Are you calling me ignorant?” Diana exclaimed, nearly lunging at Vivienne.

Melissa intervened firmly, “Diana, calm down!”

Vivienne glanced at her coffee, then calmly retorted, “You may not recognize the mark on this box, but are you unaware of the renowned Timeless Treasures in Lyhaton?”

The mention of Timeless Treasures caused Diana’s eyes to narrow in recognition. Confusion and doubt were etched on the faces of the onlookers. Had Vivienne actually claimed the pen holder originated from Timeless Treasures? Could she be a member? Skepticism clouded their expressions before they shook their heads; the thought seemed far-fetched.

Timeless Treasures, with its long history, was a giant in the antiques industry, with branches worldwide and global influence far exceeding Lyhaton. Membership was exclusive to the wealthy elite, requiring a net worth in the hundreds of millions, with many members possessing immense, undisclosed fortunes. Given Vivienne’s known past, how could she be connected to such an elite circle?

With a mocking tone, Diana taunted, “Vivienne, you’re not seriously suggesting you’re part of Timeless Treasures? You think you can fool anyone here? The Mitchell family knows your background. Such stories might fool the naive, but we’re not so easily tricked.”

Vivienne simply arched an eyebrow, remaining silent. She slowly lifted her gaze to Diana, as if observing a fool.

Across the room, Warren’s expression was one of concern. His piercing gaze fixed on Vivienne, questioning everything he thought he knew about her. Despite their three-year history, she now seemed a mystery to him. Was there a genuine link between Vivienne and the illustrious Timeless Treasures?