Chapter 483

Since Vincent's words came right after hers, Lindsay naturally assumed he was supporting her claim. She instantly puffed up with pride, that smug smile returning to paint her features. "Mr. Jones, thank you. Finally, someone with sense speaks up for me.I knew Hannah's necklace had to be counterfeit."

But Vincent didn't even acknowledge her existence.His.commanding presence moved straight toward Hannah instead. Positioning himself protectively at her side, his cold gaze swept across the gathered crowd. "What I meant was that Ms. Scott is absolutely correct. Her necklace isn't fake!"

·Shocked gasps rippled through the room like wildfire.Vincent's forceful statement hit Lindsay like a physical blow.

Lindsay's victorious expression crumbled, morphing into something ugly and bitter. "Vincent, just

because Hannah is your ex-wife doesn't mean you should defend her so blindly! You're leaning toward her while ignoring the facts!"

Lindsay had already investigated thoroughly through her own channels. Following their last encounter at the fencing club, she'd sensed Vincent's unwavering support for Hannah. Deeper investigation had revealed the stunning truth. Former husband and wife, divorced and separated. To think Claude chose a divorcee over her was a slap in the face for her.And thus, her jealousy and hatred toward Hannah burned with the intensity of molten lava.

Lindsay's bombshell revelation ignited the room like gasoline meeting flame. The announcement particularly stunned the businessmen, who prioritized commerce over gossip.

Terrell and Evelyn wore expressions of visible disgust, rage and disappointment coursing through them as. they thought of Claude's inexplicable fascination with Hannah. Their son was pursuing a divorced woman? Absolutely unacceptable!

"Lindsay, shut your mouth!" Claude's face darkened with murderous fury as he delivered the sharp rebuke.

But Lindsay stubbornly stood her ground, jabbing her finger toward Hannah with venomous mockery. "I'm stating facts! Hannah did divorce Mr. Jones; that's undeniable reality! So Mr. Jones, your words defending your ex-wife carry no credibility. Everyone should think twice before swallowing everything they hear!"

She desperately tried to destroy Vincent's credibility by hammering home the "ex-wife" angle.

Vincent's presence turned so glacial that the entire room seemed to plummet several degrees. His lips barely moved as he delivered the killing blow."Because Ms. Scott's 'Ember Star' necklace was my personal gift to her. Crystal clear?"

"A gift from Mr. Jones? Which means Miss Cortez's must be the counterfeit?"

present someone with a fake. On the flip side, Miss Cortez's is clearly the imitation."

"Thank heaven this came to light before the auction concluded! Can you imagine the catastrophe of someone spending one hundred million on a fake?The charity's reputation would be destroyed!"

Chaos erupted among the guests, particularly from the billionaire who'd placed the hundred-million bid.He frantically wiped cold perspiration from his brow,weak with relief.

Contemptuous and furious stares converged on Lindsay from every direction.

Lindsay's entire frame shook with violent tremors.She clung to her denial with desperate fervor."I refuse to believe this! Unless you produce the actual "'Ember Star' for comparison, you're fabricating lies to protect Hannah! You're both conspiring to deceive everyone here!"

Vincent observed her pitiful thrashing with pure revulsion and scorn. "A fool."

Dismissing her completely, Vincent turned toward Hannah, his voice softening to velvet. "Derek's already on his way to collect it. It will be here soon."

Hannah held his gaze with unshakeable composure."Okay."

A brief hesitation crossed her features before she asked, "What brought you here so unexpectedly?"

Vincent's lips curved in quiet amusement. "Naturally,I'm here to contribute to a worthy cause."

His attention drifted casually toward Terrell and Evelyn standing in the distance.

Claude lingered nearby, his face etched with barely concealed tension.

.After a while, Derek made his entrance. He carried an elegant velvet jewelry case, accompanied by a distinguished middle-aged gentleman who was a celebrated jewelry expert in the field.

Vincent gave a subtle nod of acknowledgment.

Derek advanced purposefully, opening the jewelry box with ceremonial precision as every eye fixed upon him.

The moment it opened, the assembled crowd gasped at the necklace's sheer magnificence and artistry. It was absolutely stunning.

Vincent's icy stare locked onto Lindsay's ashen face as his words cut through the air like steel. "To eliminate any chance of Miss Cortez's denial, l've brought along a certified appraiser. The evaluation can commence immediately."