Chapter 299 Counterfeit
Charles's arrival had electrified the charity auction, with the elite crowd eagerly bidding on the rare collectibles. Seated at the head table, he surveyed the scene with a piercing gaze, seemingly indifferent to the excitement around him.
Phoenix thought to herself, 'I will definitely impress Charles and prove that I am just as good as Isabella.'
The auctioneer's voice rang out, "Next up is a legendary antique—a stunning 19th-century vase, starting at nine hundred thousand dollars. Let the bidding begin!"
Phoenix's heart skipped a beat. She remembered hearing about Charles's fondness for vases and decided to make her move.
Without hesitation, she raised her paddle and confidently called out, "One million dollars!"
Just as she thought she had it in the bag, Emma raised her paddle and calmly said, "One point two million dollars."
Phoenix's heart tightened, her expression faltering slightly, but she refused to back down. "One point five million dollars!" she countered.
"One point seven million dollars," Emma's voice remained gentle yet resolute, as if challenging Phoenix's determination.
The guests around them turned to watch, whispering among themselves.
Phoenix felt a surge of anxiety. She couldn't let Isabella win this. With a forced smile concealing her inner turmoil, she raised her paddle again.
"Two million dollars!" Phoenix gritted out, relieved she had prepared ample funds.
"Two point two million dollars," Emma's voice was still calm as she seemingly remained unfazed by the escalating bids.
After several more rounds, Emma finally conceded with a slight smile, "I withdraw."
"Congratulations, Ms. Lewis, you have successfully won this item!" the auctioneer announced.
Phoenix was overjoyed, having secured the vase for five million dollars. She couldn't wait to present it to Charles and win his favor. Approaching him with eager anticipation, she said, "Mr. Russell, I acquired this vase for you. I hope you like it."
As she was about to hand the vase to Charles, Emma stepped forward, smiling but with a determined look in her eyes. "Ms. Lewis, are you sure this vase is genuine?"
Phoenix was taken aback, a sense of unease creeping in, but she maintained her composure. "Of course it's genuine. Mr. Russell will love it!"
"Are you really that sure?" Emma's tone carried a hint of challenge, stirring Phoenix's irritation.
"I spent five million dollars on this. Are you questioning my judgment?" Phoenix retorted angrily, her voice dripping with disdain.
Emma smirked and then, with a swift motion, pushed the vase. It fell to the ground, shattering into pieces. The guests gasped, the atmosphere instantly tense.
Phoenix glared at Emma. "Why did you do that?"
"I just wanted to remind you that a gift for Mr. Russell shouldn't be a fake," Emma replied coldly.
"You dare to say this is a fake! What evidence do you have?" Phoenix shot back, her voice full of scorn.
Phoenix trusted that Isabella knew jewelry, but antiques were different from jewelry; there was no way she could have been knowledgeable about antiques as well!
At that moment, a guest called out, "Wait a minute! Ms. Lewis is a renowned student of antique authentication at Sunterra. Everyone knows her expertise in this field!"
The crowd turned their attention to Phoenix, murmuring in surprise. Phoenix felt a surge of pride, her confidence returning as she became the center of attention.
"Yes, I've studied antique authentication at Sunterra for seven years," Phoenix said proudly. "I can tell at a glance if this vase is genuine."
Emma seemed unfazed. "Ms. Lewis, since you're so confident, why don't you authenticate the vase yourself?"
Phoenix, feeling triumphant, saw this as her chance to strike back. "Of course! I'll use my professional knowledge from Sunterra to prove the authenticity of the vase."
She knelt by the shattered pieces, examining them closely, ready to dismantle Isabella's doubts. "First, the color of this vase is typical of the 19th century, and the surface has a perfect sheen. It can't possibly be a fake."
However, Emma didn't back down. She smiled and began her own analysis. "Ms. Lewis, while the surface sheen is important, we must consider other factors. For instance, genuine 19th-century vases usually have a maker's mark and date on the bottom, but this vase's base is smooth, with no markings."
Phoenix's heart skipped a beat, but she tried to counter. "That could be due to the age, causing the marks to wear off."
Emma continued, "Moreover, authentic 19th-century vases often have natural imperfections from the handmade process, but this vase is too perfect, with no signs of handcrafting."
The guests began to whisper, clearly impressed by Emma's knowledge. Phoenix felt a wave of panic but tried to maintain her stance. "How dare you question my professional knowledge from Sunterra!"
Emma added, "I can have a professional appraiser verify this, but I'm almost certain it's a fake."
Phoenix's face turned pale. She hadn't anticipated her carefully laid plans would backfire so spectacularly.
Not only had she spent a fortune, but she had also made a fool of herself in front of Charles, who now saw her as incompetent.
The guests began to laugh quietly, their whispers stinging. "Isn't Ms. Lewis supposed to be an expert in antique authentication? How could she not tell this vase was a fake?"
"What a disgrace! She spent so much on a counterfeit," another added.
Phoenix's face burned with shame. She couldn't afford to lose face in front of everyone. Struggling to stay composed, she tried to fight back. "Even I, a professional, couldn't tell. Ms. Taylor, you're just an amateur. How could you possibly know? You must have picked up a few terms and are now showing off. I won't let this go. I'll get a professional appraisal! If the vase is genuine, you will compensate me for my loss!"
Emma's eyes sparkled with confidence. "No problem, ten times the compensation, is that fair?"
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