Chapter 442

They had prepared for every possible scenario—except this.

Isabella Wang was donating that necklace publicly, in front of everyone!

How could this be happening?

Cassandra Blackwood whipped her head around, locking eyes with Isabelle Montgomery from across the room. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

The unveiling of Alexa's work sent the auction into a frenzy.

Jewelry connoisseurs and industry elites leaned forward, straining for a glimpse of the legendary designer's masterpiece.

Nathan Blackwood and Alexander Whitmore, who had been disinterested all evening, suddenly sat straighter, their grips tightening on their bidding paddles.

"Cassandra, why are you standing? Sit down before you embarrass us!" Penelope Whitmore hissed, yanking her daughter's arm.

"Mother, we have a problem!" Cassandra collapsed into her seat, her voice shaking.

"What now?"

"That necklace Isabella Wang donated—I gave it to her."

"You what?!" Penelope's eyes bulged. "Since when do you own an Alexa piece? And you just handed it to some actress?"

Her fury flared. "That ungrateful wretch is spitting on your generosity! And you—why didn’t you bring it home to me first? After everything I’ve done for you!"

"Mother... it's fake." Cassandra's whisper was barely audible, her skin clammy.

Penelope froze. "Excuse me?"

"Isabelle helped me commission a replica from Alexa's apprentice." Cassandra swallowed hard. "Isabella Wang was delaying the contract signing, so I thought—like Evelyn Carter did—I’d use Alexa’s name to sway her. The counterfeit is flawless, one of her lesser-known designs. I assumed even if it was exposed later, the deal would already be sealed. But now... she’s donating it! If this gets out, Blackwood Industries will be humiliated!"

"You absolute fool!"

Penelope dug her nails into Cassandra’s wrist. "No gift is better than a fraudulent one! You’ve risked our family’s reputation over this?"

"It wasn’t my idea! Isabelle manipulated me!" Cassandra’s voice cracked with indignation.

"And you let her?" Penelope’s face flushed crimson. "If the forgery goes unnoticed, she gets her wedding planned—her vendetta against Evelyn served. If it’s exposed? You’re the one holding the bag, not her!"

The realization hit Cassandra like a slap. She’d been played.

"Mother, what do we do?"

"We adapt."

Penelope inhaled sharply, composing herself. "Alexa’s works are everywhere. Who can prove this one’s fake? Even Isabella didn’t suspect."

Cassandra exhaled shakily, but dread still coiled in her stomach.

"I’d like to say a few words about this piece." Isabella Wang took the microphone, her smile serene.

Her gaze landed on Cassandra’s ashen face. "My thanks to Ms. Cassandra Blackwood of Blackwood Industries for this generous gift."

Evelyn Carter casually texted Theodore Winslow backstage.

A spotlight abruptly illuminated Cassandra, freezing her like a deer in headlights. The jumbo screen magnified her strained smile for all to see.

She wanted to scream.

"While I adore Alexa’s creations," Isabella continued, "I believe sharing this treasure to help those in need is far more meaningful than keeping it for myself."