Chapter 108
Steve exchanged pleasantries with Xavier, but his attention shifted to Vivienne, seated calmly. A knowing smile warmed his sharp features. He bypassed Xavier and approached her. “Well, well, what brings you here today?” he asked with easy familiarity.
The casual greeting stunned the room into silence. Diana, among the onlookers, felt inexplicable panic. Her gaze darted to the plain pen holder on the table; her heart sank. Was this simple object connected to Timeless Treasures? Vivienne, a seemingly ordinary country girl, couldn't possibly have such connections, could she?
Vivienne set down her cup. “So, has Timeless Treasures taken to selling counterfeits now?” she asked, her tone cool and composed.
“What brazen nonsense!” Steve retorted, amusement flickering in his eyes. “You know I abhor counterfeits. Not a single fake passes through Timeless Treasures’ doors while I’m around.” His reputation was well-earned; he was not only president of the Lyhaton Antique Association but also Timeless Treasures’ rigorous gatekeeper.
“Then perhaps you should inspect that pen holder,” Vivienne suggested, arching an eyebrow.
Steve chuckled softly. “Inspect it? Do I really—” Vivienne’s steady gaze silenced him. He nodded, his humor replaced by thoughtfulness. “Alright then,” he said, “perhaps I should take a closer look.”
He cautiously glanced at Vivienne, whose serene demeanor remained unchanged. Clearing his throat, he produced a magnifying glass, holding it to the light. He meticulously examined the pen holder. Finally, he straightened. “It’s genuine,” he stated, his tone casual yet decisive.
His words struck like thunder. Diana’s face paled, her legs unsteady. “Could it really be the legendary pen holder?” Xavier whispered, awestruck.
Steve pocketed the magnifying glass. “Indeed.”
A buzz of shock and disbelief rippled through the crowd. “But… I heard it fetched 9.54 million at auction! How could Timeless Treasures let it go?” Xavier stammered, wiping sweat from his brow.
Steve chuckled. “Timeless Treasures isn’t just about hoarding collectibles. When an item finds its destined owner, it’s sold willingly.”
Marianne’s disbelief broke through the murmurs. “But 9.54 million… that’s impossible…”
Where would Vivienne have gotten that kind of money?
Vivienne set down her cup, her gaze steady. “Miss Natalie compensated me ten million. It was just enough.”
Her composed tone stunned Natalie. The crowd turned to Diana, their gazes a mixture of mockery and pity. Diana felt her composure crumble. Her chest tightened, and a burning blush rose on her face. The pen holder was genuine. What now? Kneeling before Vivienne would be a public humiliation she could never recover from.
Everett watched Vivienne’s calm demeanor with growing unease. Steve’s confirmation left him cold. The weight of potential disgrace loomed over the Mitchell family. He searched Vivienne’s face for leniency, finding none. Her eyes were fixed on Diana. A faint smile curved her lips. “Miss Mitchell,” she said, her tone light yet cutting, “isn’t it time to honor your word?”