Chapter 300 Forgery
"Ten times? That's fifty million dollars!"
Everyone was floored by Isabella's bold move. Although the guests present could all afford 50 million dollars, not everyone would be willing to give away 50 million dollars for free.
The guests present whispered to each other, "Isabella seems pretty sure of herself with this bet."
Emma added, "Ms. Lewis, it's the thought that counts when giving a gift. But if you can't even tell if it's real or fake, what's the point?"
Phoenix was fuming but had no outlet for her anger. She stormed off, silently vowing to get back at Isabella, 'Isabella, just you wait! I'll expose you with the truth!'
After the charity gala, the vase's authenticity became the talk of the town.
Determined to prove her expertise, Phoenix reached out to several top appraisers to verify the 19th-century vase.
But a few days later, the results were a letdown.
Every appraiser quickly declared the vase a fake. Phoenix was livid and couldn't accept that her seven years of antique appraisal studies at Sunterra had been completely negated.
"I can't let Isabella have the last laugh!"
After some thought, Phoenix found an appraiser willing to take a hefty bribe. She paid him well to produce a report claiming the vase was genuine.
With the forged certificate in hand, Phoenix felt a rush of satisfaction, ready to strike back at Isabella. She posted on social media, claiming the vase had been authenticated by a reputable source and accused Isabella of trying to ruin her professional reputation.
But Emma calmly reached out to Phoenix's mentor, Otis, and suggested a live broadcast to reveal the truth. Otis was a highly respected expert in antique appraisal, having spoken at numerous international conferences.
Only Otis could expose Phoenix's lies.
On the day of the broadcast, viewers poured in. Otis appeared on camera, smiling and composed. Emma showed him the vase fragments and the forged certificate, asking for his opinion.
"This vase is definitely a fake," Otis said without hesitation. "First, there's no manufacturer's mark on the bottom, which is a basic feature of 19th-century vases. Second, the colors and design don't match genuine 19th-century pieces."
Phoenix's face turned pale. She hadn't expected Isabella to bring in Otis.
If it were anyone else, Phoenix could still argue, but Otis was her mentor!
The viewers started voicing their doubts: [Isn't Ms. Lewis supposed to be an expert in antique appraisal? How could she not tell if the vase was real or fake?]
[She claimed to have studied for seven years. Could her degree be fake too?] another netizen chimed in.
[Don't be surprised. She might have just spent a few years abroad, got a degree, and came back pretending to be an expert.]
Phoenix's face burned with embarrassment, but Otis continued, "Phoenix, as a student of antique appraisal, you should know that the difference between genuine and fake items lies not just in appearance but in their historical and cultural significance. The appraisal report you presented is clearly forged."
The atmosphere in the live broadcast room grew tense, and the viewers' doubts grew louder: [Phoenix's degree is fake? It seems likely!]
[Did she really study at Sunterra?] another netizen asked.
Phoenix felt her heart skip a beat, realizing things were spiraling out of control. Her confidence crumbled, and all her lies seemed powerless against the truth.
"I didn't fake anything!" Phoenix stammered, "Otis, I really did study under you, don't you remember?"
Otis sighed. He remembered Phoenix—not for her exceptionalism, but because he only had seven graduate students, and she was the most flamboyant.
She skipped almost every class, and on the rare occasion she did show up, she ended up sleeping through it.
But she hadn't committed any major offenses, and the Russell family had donated a building to the school for her, so the school wouldn't allow him to expel Phoenix. However, he couldn't compromise his professional integrity to help Phoenix fake it.
The vase scandal ended with Phoenix's defeat.
For Phoenix, the vase's authenticity was tied to her reputation, but for Emma, putting Phoenix in her place was just a side task.
Emma and Phoenix had no deep-seated hatred. As long as Phoenix didn't cause trouble, Emma could coexist peacefully with her. After all, Emma had more important things to do.
Last time, Emma used the Bright Group to snatch a project from the Russell Group, reducing the Russell Group's market share but not enough to shake their foundation. She needed to keep pushing.
This time, it wouldn't be a minor skirmish.
Emma stood at the street corner, looking up at the Russell Group, her black leather gloves digging into her palms.
The heat from the fire three years ago still seemed to scorch her back, and the sound of shattering glass echoed in her ears.
"Ms. Taylor, Mr. Russell is waiting for you," her assistant reminded her softly.
The revolving door shattered the winter chill into fine ice crystals as Emma, in her four-inch heels, stepped into the Auris Group headquarters. The elevator's mirrored walls reflected her fiery red lips and the sharp curve of her eyeliner—no longer the girl in the white dress Michael remembered.
Michael's office was filled with the scent of cedar. As he pushed the documents towards her, his watch glinted coldly. "The Russell Group's real estate project in Lakeside Haven West. This is about their funding gap."
Emma ran her fingers over the gold-embossed cover and suddenly laughed.
George could never have imagined that Emma, the woman he personally condemned to misery, was now using his own financial tactics to dismantle the Russell Group, his business empire.
"I heard the Russell Group's anniversary celebration will feature a pink diamond?" She picked up her cup, the steam blurring the hatred in her eyes. "Perfect timing. My new 'Blood Iris' collection needs a stage."
Emma's phone buzzed. When she unlocked it, a news alert caught her eye: #the Russell Group's stock had dropped by 7%. The accompanying photo showed George in a parking garage, surrounded by reporters. He wore his dark gray suit, his tie half-loosened, and a constant scowl on his face.
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