Chapter 445

Evelyn Carter gave a graceful curtsy to the audience, her emerald green gown shimmering under the chandelier lights.

The murmuring crowd gradually fell silent.

"Secondly," she continued, her voice clear as crystal, "I'd like to announce my donation - the Celestial Tear, one of Alexa's most exquisite creations." Her rosebud lips curved slightly.

Gasps echoed through the grand ballroom as all heads swiveled toward Isabella Laurent.

The international superstar sat frozen, her manicured fingers gripping her champagne flute too tightly. Hundreds of eyes burned into her, but she could only stare helplessly at Cassandra Blackwood.

Cassandra, in turn, whipped her head toward Isabelle Montgomery's seat - only to find it conspicuously empty.

Isabelle had slipped away during the earlier commotion, her instincts screaming danger.

From her vantage point on stage, Evelyn observed this comical chain reaction with icy amusement. A knowing smile played on her crimson lips. "Ms. Laurent, I wasn't aware you'd be donating this piece tonight. What an extraordinary coincidence. I do hope there's no misunderstanding."

Isabella's voice trembled slightly. "Ms. Carter, how is it possible that you also possess the Celestial Tear?"

Evelyn's smile faded, replaced by a thoughtful frown. "Ms. Laurent, the real question isn't why I have this necklace, but rather why yours appears to be a counterfeit."

The revelation sent shockwaves through the elite gathering.

Penelope Whitmore maintained her composure with visible effort, while Cassandra turned as pale as her ivory gown.

"That's impossible!" Isabella protested, her carefully cultivated poise cracking. "Cassandra Blackwood herself gave me that necklace! The Blackwood heiress wouldn't dare—"

Her voice caught as the implications hit her. If the necklace was fake, her grand philanthropic gesture would make her the laughingstock of high society.

"Ms. Carter!" Penelope interjected sharply, stepping forward. "You can't make such outrageous claims without proper authentication! This is slander!"

Evelyn remained unruffled. "I wouldn't make such an accusation without proof, Ms. Whitmore. I assure you, I'm being completely objective."

A mischievous glint flashed in Evelyn's hazel eyes, noticed only by one observant guest.

Nathan Blackwood sat ramrod straight in his front-row seat, his gaze locked on Evelyn's expressive face. That particular sparkle in her eyes - the one that used to infuriate him - now filled him with inexplicable warmth.

"Ms. Carter! You're accusing the Blackwoods of dealing in counterfeits? Where's your evidence?"

"Isabella Laurent is a renowned jewelry collector! She'd know a fake immediately!"

"Exactly! You can't make baseless accusations! They look identical - get an expert to authenticate them first!"

Evelyn weathered the storm of criticism with regal indifference.

Then - a dramatic interruption.

The massive double doors burst open with a resounding crash.

Every head turned in unison.

A statuesque blonde woman in towering Louboutins strode into the ballroom, her ice-blue eyes scanning the crowd with authority.

Even Nathan did a double-take. It was Giselle Dubois - Alexa's right-hand woman.

What was she doing here?

"It's Ms. Dubois! The director of Alexa's atelier!" someone whispered excitedly.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd. If anyone could authenticate Alexa's work, it was her personal assistant.

With purposeful strides, Giselle marched directly toward Evelyn, ignoring the gawking spectators.

Evelyn's shoulders relaxed visibly as she descended the stage to meet her.

"You made it," she said softly, the warmth in her voice surprising the onlookers.

Giselle took Evelyn's hand and pressed a reverent kiss to her knuckles - the traditional Valmontian gesture of deep respect.

"My sincerest apologies for the delay... Ms. Alexa."