Kayden’s story left everyone stunned, including Georgia, who looked utterly incredulous. But his serious demeanor made it hard to dismiss his words as fiction. Could Kayden really know so much beyond just being a good cook?
Suddenly, a burst of laughter broke the silence, followed by Jay’s voice. “What? You all believe this guy? He’s making up stories. He’s a nutcase! If you’re not from Hiphia, you might not know how ridiculous he is, but I do. This guy once fought a dog for a bottle of milk and jumped off his family’s company building. He’s a joke.”
The crowd, which had been listening intently, erupted in laughter.
“Oh, he’s just a crazy guy. I thought he might actually be an archaeologist or something.”
“Right? He almost had me going with that story. I’ve studied archaeology for years and never heard of anything like this. Turns out he’s just spinning a yarn.”
The crowd continued to laugh at Kayden, using him as the butt of their jokes, a common pastime in their circles.
Karis turned to Georgia, smiling smugly. “Oh, Georgia. I guess I’ve been out of the loop too long, being abroad and all. I never expected you’d marry a crazy guy. You were one of the four beauties of our class! With your looks, you could have easily snagged 100 millionaire. Why settle for this? But you know what? You two do make quite the pair!”
Georgia was mortified, feeling her face flush with embarrassment. She shot a glare at Kayden. It always seemed like he knew exactly how to humiliate her. It was bad enough at home; now he was doing it in public!
Blaise stepped forward, arm around Karis, looking down at Kayden. “So, according to you, our Double Phoenix Plays with Dragon Pearl is fake, and the one you have is real?”
Before Kayden could respond, Jay chimed in, “Blaise, you’re really throwing down the gauntlet here! This guy’s pendant is real? If the pearl worth 100 million turns out to be genuine, I’ll eat dirt! Big mouthfuls!”
Kayden scanned the room, then quietly said, “Ignorant.”
Jay echoed incredulously, “Ignorant? Do you know who you’re talking to? This is Miss Ford of the Ford family, the most prestigious family in Hiphia. And this is Blaise Harris, whose family owns mines. Everyone here has a more impressive background than you-a nobody husband! Who would believe he has the real deal?”
Kayden remained calm, knowing arguing with these people was pointless. Just then, a woman’s voice cut through the commotion, “The one he’s holding might not be fake, but the one around Miss Ford’s neck definitely is.”
The crowd turned to see a woman from a nearby table approaching. She had a ponytail and wore a denim jacket and jeans with white sneakers, giving off a tomboyish vibe. Despite her casual appearance, she had a striking, unique presence.
Blaise sneered at her, “Who are you? You must be in on this with the nutcase, right? Don’t act like you know everything. I spent 100 million on this for my girlfriend. How could it be fake?”
Blaise was defensive, clearly uncomfortable. The woman smiled confidently, sizing him up. “Two possibilities: either you’re an idiot who got conned out of 100 million for a cheap knockoff, or you’re lying, and it’s a fake from the start.”
“You-!” Blaise was furious, but tried to keep his cool, “Who are you? Another crazy? If you are, I don’t have time for this.”
“Do we even need to ask?” Jay scoffed. “She must be nuts, just like him! If not, I’ll eat dirt!”
The woman chuckled, glancing at Jay with disdain. “My father is Israel Bennett, and my name is Lacey Bennett.”
The room fell silent at the mention of Israel Bennett-a legendary figure in the antiquities world, renowned in Seclela and beyond. His expertise in ancient artifacts and jewelry was legendary, often referred to as having knowledge spanning millennia.
“Israel Bennett! The one who’s a legend in the jewelry and archaeological world?” Frankie exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.
Lacey ignored Frankie, turning to Kayden. “This gentleman was correct; the Double Phoenix Plays with Dragon Pearl does have a long history, dating back over a thousand, even two thousand years. The pendant around Miss Ford’s neck, however, looks new, likely made within the last decade. It wasn’t made locally; probably bought overseas, for around ten million.”
Blaise’s face turned a shade paler. It was indeed a replica he’d bought for three million, thinking no one would notice. He never expected to be exposed in such a small gathering.
“I believe the one Miss Adams is wearing is more likely genuine. Though dull and worn, it has an air of nobility that no imitation can replicate.”
Georgia frowned, incredulous. The pendant was just a cheap piece Kayden had bought. How could it possibly be real? She couldn’t believe Kayden could afford such a valuable item.
Blaise, feeling cornered, retorted, “Why should we believe you? You have no proof, just words. You’re just making things up!”
“Exactly,” Karis agreed, clearly upset. “You expect us to believe you just because you say so? This is ridiculous. If people found out I was wearing a fake, it would be humiliating!”
Lacey remained calm, “I have a way to prove it. It’s said that the dragon pearl inside the Double Phoenix Plays with Dragon Pearl comes alive when it touches blood.”
“Ridiculous!” Blaise scoffed, clearly unsettled. “I’ve never heard such nonsense! How could something so old still be alive? You’re making this up!”
Lacey met his gaze calmly, “What do you know? Your father isn’t Israel Bennett.”
Blaise’s face twitched with frustration. This was the first time someone had thrown family status in his face, and he had no comeback.
Lacey folded her arms, “If it couldn’t ‘come alive,’ do you think it could fetch 100 million at auction? It’s its ability to rejuvenate the body, to enhance one’s aura and appearance, that gives it such value.”
She sighed, “But explaining this to you is pointless.”
Turning to Georgia, Lacey asked, “Miss Adams, may I?”
Before Georgia could respond, Kayden nodded, “Go ahead.”
After a moment of hesitation, Georgia carefully handed over the Pearl to Lacey. Taking the pendant, Lacey then looked at Karis and asked, “What about you, Miss Ford? Will you let me test yours?”
Blaise stayed silent, but Karis gritted her teeth and handed over her pendant, “Why not? If mine’s not real, neither is hers.”
She clung to Blaise’s arm, whispering, “Honey, I believe you wouldn’t buy me a fake.”
Blaise felt a pang of fear, a cold sweat breaking out on his palms.