Chapter 67

The silence had barely settled before someone in the back muttered, "So what if it's fake?"

Another voice chimed in, louder, "Yeah... I mean, it looks expensive. He still spent fifty million on it."

"Must've been scammed," someone else added with a sympathetic shrug. "Poor guy."

"It's not even his fault," a lady in a red dress said. Read full story at FιndＮovel.net

"Even a fake that realistic would cost a fortune. That's effort."

"It's still better than bringing a trash wrapped in a rag"

A small wave of agreement passed through the crowd. Heads began nodding. Whispers shifted again— this time leaning back toward Stanwell.

Sensing it, Stanwell straightened, brushing invisible dust from his sleeve and flashing his smile once more.

"I may have been misled, but at least I brought something worthy," he said, loudly. "Unlike some people who show up with rags from a thrift store."

The guests laughed again, rallying behind him like sheep behind a shepherd.

Stanwell turned toward Jaden, his smugness fully restored. "Well then," he sneered, "since we're playing judge and jury tonight... why don't you show us what's inside that precious piece of cloth you brought?"

A few guests started chanting.

"Yeah, show us!"

"Let's see it!"

"What's inside the rag, mystery man?"

Hannah took a nervous step toward Jaden, grabbing his arm. Her voice was soft but urgent. She didn't want Jaden to embarrass himself.

"Jaden... you don't have to do this. I don't care what's in there. Really. You'll just... they'll just—”

But he gave her a small, reassuring smile. "I'm not worried."

Then he looked toward the staff and gave a single nod. "You can unwrap it."

Everyone leaned forward as one of the waiters gently peeled back the deep brown cloth - careful, delicate. It came undone slowly, like layers of Secret t

And then they saw it.

Nestled at the center was a small, jade-green figurine - carved with impossible precision. A single piece, no seams, no cracks. The glow of the jade wasn't ordinary. It pulsed gently under the lights, almost alive. Carved into it was the crest of a forgotten dynasty-one known only in the highest circles of collectors and historians.

Silence fell like a hammer.

And then, from across the room, Donald suddenly gasped - the first sound in the heavy stillness.

"Wait- That's... That's a Verdant Emblem," he whispered.

Someone turned to him. "A what?"

Donald stepped forward slowly, eyes locked on the figurine. "There are only seven of them known in the world. All were thought to be locked in private collections, gifted between kings, or held by ancient noble lines. They're... priceless."

He looked up at Jaden in awe. “Where did you even—?"

Jaden said nothing. He just slipped his hands into his pockets, calm.

The crowd now stood motionless, eyes wide, trying to grasp what they were seeing.

Hannah's lips parted in shock. Even she hadn't expected this.