Chapter 556
In that moment, the gentle and obedient Celeste became the only support for the collapsing Helena.
Helena’s emotions completely shattered, and she grabbed Celeste tightly.
“Celeste… how could this happen? Tell me this isn’t real p>
No matter what, she could not accept this reality.
Every single piece of jewelry on display represented the fortune and passion she had poured into them.
Some were treasures she had flown overseas to acquire, fighting through auction houses in multiple countries to win.
Others were priceless collections she had traded multiple treasures for.
Even if misjudging one piece was a coincidence, how could an entire cabinet of over a hundred pieces all be fakes?
Clutching Celeste’s sleeve desperately, Helena looked stubbornly at Quentin Pierce through tear-filled eyes, her tone carrying the stubbornness of someone refusing to accept defeat.
“Mr. Pierce! I don’t accept this. You must have made a mistake. I’ve had these collections appraised by internationally renowned experts more than once.
Every piece has authoritative certificates, provenance archives, and auction receipts.
Even if one person made a mistake, it’s impossible that experts all over the world got it wrong p>
The room fell into another standstill, the guests looking uncertain and shocked.
Everyone thought Helena made a valid point.
The Sterlings were highly powerful, and Helena had deep experience in collecting. It was impossible for her to buy a massive batch of fakes without realizing it.
Faced with her nearly hysterical rebuttal, Quentin Pierce remained perfectly composed.
He raised a hand to stroke his beard, his gaze clear.
“Mrs. Sterling, when you bought these pieces, they very well might have all been genuine.
After all, no one would dare to fake items at such top-tier auctions.
But what you brought to the exhibition today—these two display cabinets full of jewelry—are indeed entirely counterfeits p>
With that, a dead silence fell over the room.
But the meaning behind his words was crystal clear.
Helena hadn’t bought the wrong items, nor did she misjudge them or have a botched appraisal.
Instead, her real jewels must have been completely swapped out behind her back!
Everyone’s eyes widened, panic spreading across their faces as a collective wave of dread washed over them.
Guests huddled in groups of two or three, whispering in hushed voices as their eyes darted around the room, full of suspicion and inquiry.
“Someone who could have long-term access to Mrs. Sterling’s private-jewels and swap them out in bulk without anyone noticing must be extremely close to the Sterlings p>
“Exactly. An outsider would never have the keys to a private safe or the authority to manage the collection. It was most likely done by a trusted acquaintance
“Swapping out so many priceless unique pieces for fakes—that takes an insane amount of nerve p>
Helena’s face drained of color, her body going completely stiff.
She stopped breathing for a beat, an overwhelming sense of dread consuming her entirely.
The only people who could get close to her jewels, other than the maids who cleaned them, and the one with the most access, was p>
Layers of fragmented speculation piled up.
Invisibly, all the suspicion slowly shifted toward Celeste.
A flash of terror crossed Helena’s mind.
But after just a second, she completely pushed the thought away.
Celeste had worked tirelessly for her all these years. Even with her mobility issues, she had never uttered a word of complaint.
Whenever Helena asked for something, especially regarding her tastes Celeste always went out of her way to make her happy, hunting down rare treasures from all over the world.
How could she doubt the sincerity of such a kind and thoughtful girl?
Sitting beside Helena, Celeste clearly felt the woman’s questioning gaze about to land on her.
But perhaps there was still some hesitation, as Helena didn’t actually look her way.