he room turned

attention, the air buzzed mo

na's empty hands, and a mock

ent everything renting that dress just to get through the door. Couldn't manage even a

ugh the crowd, especially from the men,

tightened as h

watched what he thought was Elli

erately trying to play a part that did not suit

ilently wished she would get

smerizing and calm, drifting past Dominic to rest on the jade hairpin Renee clutched. No

her words rang out, ed

are you speaking on beha

r chin with pri

er lips, the deep color draw

pness settled

Group fallen so low that they've re

asp swept thro

ift meant fo

wallets and imaginations to offer something meaningful, becau

cle now, securing Caduceus's f

fake was not

public

ht of those implica

nched, her smirk o

t's best to stay quiet. You are only putting your ignoranc

pin higher, displaying i

where. The design, inspired by the art of healing, has earned the National Museum Collection Gold Aw

ing her with new admiration, feeling a ru

woman he believed sho

ced her glass down and crosse

who forged this piece used clever techniques, hiding traces of dye with intricate carving and playing with the light to mask infer

for someone to fetch a flashlight and

d toward Renee, her star

ough to let every

ed both fearless and utterly composed

nce-never flustered,

leaned forward, fingers drumming lightly on

locked. He gestured for his attendant to hold back the g

.

of unease passed

ised her it was an authentic Rocco Wallace, tho

ad to know the basics of judging jade

ce for half a million felt like

ion herself before handing over the money,

me for a proper appr

ations made her stom

ed the lid shu

isn't a game. Who gave you the right to lay hands on Caduceus

frown gr

e, took Elliana by the a

a college degree. What makes you think you c