Chapter 66

Kirtan crossed his arms and leaned against the stage, watching the chaos with a smirk. Real or fake saffron, he mused.

Felix approached Elizabeth respectfully. “Me Percy, here’s the saffron you asked for.”

“Put it down,” Elizabeth directed, pointing to the platform.

Felix slyly placed the saffron next to the fake one. As he lifted the cover, the difference was obvious.

Elizabeth’s face darkened. “Open it!” she commanded.

Felix quickly pulled off the black velvet cloth, revealing a saffron that seemed to glow. Everyone gasped, eyes wide. Elizabeth had designed the saffron’s packaging, placing it on a rotating platform under a white glass dome. It looked like a precious end rose, spinning elegantly.

In comparison, Esme’s saffron looked wilted, instantly losing its appeal.

“This…” Elara stepped forward, stunned.

Lily looked at Elizabeth and asked cautiously, “Elizabeth, is this the saffron you mentioned?”

“Yes, Grandma, this is the real, rare saffron,” Elizabeth replied confidently.

Esme stared at the saffron, clutching her dipas, unable to speak. Elizabeth’s saffron clearly looked more authentic, making hers seem fake.

She glanced at William, desperate for a solution.

“What about Esme’s saffron?” Lily pointed to it.

Elizabeth sighed. “Grandma, that’s just ordinary saffron. It’s worth maybe three to five thousand dollars, if that.”

Lily’s face soured.

Esme was furious. “Elizabeth, stop slandering me!”

Someone stepped forward, glaring at Elizabeth. “You claim yours is the real, rare saffron. What proof do you have?”

She couldn’t back down. If it was proven that her saffron was fake, she’d be ruined. The Tudor family would despise her, and her chances with Alexander would vanish.

“You say yours is the real rare saffron. What proof do you have?” Elizabeth raised an eyebrow, signaling Esme to present her evidence first.

Esme opened her mouth but had nothing to say.

“Stop dodging! Show your proof that this is the real rare saffron! Otherwise, yours is fake!” Esme’s face turned red. She looked at the crowd, hoping for support, especially from those who had praised her earlier.

“Since Ms. Russell wants proof, I’ll provide it,” Elizabeth said.

Elizabeth glanced at Felix, who nodded and held up a high-tech identification device from Hidden C…