Chapter 560
Quentin Pierce ignored Celeste Carlyle’s vicious glare and spoke calmly.
“These high-end forgeries represent the pinnacle of the underground market’s replication technology, capable of fooling ninety-five percent of appraisers out there.
The initial oversights weren’t due to malicious intent, but the sheer perfection of the fakes.
Even if you brought in every top appraiser in the country today, some would still get it wrong p>
The other appraisers nearby immediately spoke up to defend themselves.
“Exactly! Real is real, and fake is fake. We have no reason to spout nonsense just to please someone p>
“We don’t make dirty money p>
Quentin sighed, his gaze shifting to Helena. He offered some kindly advice.
“Mrs. Sterling, in my experience, your jewelry was secretly swapped out a long time ago.
This wasn’t the work of today’s exhibition, but a long-term, calculated scheme.
A theft of this magnitude, involving tens of millions of dollars, is no longer a simple family matter. It’s a major criminal offense.
I strongly advise you to call the police immediately.
A thorough investigation is the only way to minimize your losses p>
The moment those words fell, Helena, already teetering on the edge of a breakdown, shuddered. She looked at Quentin with blank, panicked eyes.
“Call… call the police p>
Helena hadn’t expected the situation to be this severe.
She had assumed it was just a greedy internal employee who had swapped the pieces for quick cash—someone who would return them if threatened.
She never imagined it would escalate into a major criminal case.
Helena stood there, completely paralyzed, unable to utter a single word for a long time.
“I’m not trying to be an alarmist p>
Quentin’s tone softened slightly as he took in her devastated state.
“For such valuable, intricate pieces to be successfully swapped out so quickly, the perpetrator must have been planning this for a long time.
They wouldn’t have just targeted the exhibition collection.
You’re an avid collector; it’s highly likely you were targeted by criminals long ago.
If you have any doubts, you should invite the renowned Master Lyra.
Bring her to your private safes to inspect your vault.
She is my apprentice and won’t make a mistake.
If your home collection is still genuine, then thank God your losses are limited to the exhibition.
But I fear your entire vault has already been compromised, and if that’s the case, the damage will be irreversible p>
Those few sentences were like a bucket of ice water dumped over her head.
Helena’s face instantly drained of color, her mind going completely blank.
Her legs went weak, and her body began to collapse uncontrollably.
All the confidence and pride she had built over a lifetime-the rare jewels she had spent half her life and fortune hoarding, were ber ultimate bragging rights:
How could it be possible… that even her private vault hadn’t escaped this nightmare?
“Impossible… absolutely impossible. I’ve always been so meticulous with my jewelry. Where could the security have failed Celeste
Helena grabbed the younger woman’s hand, clearly spiraling into a panic.
A flash of intense impatience crossed Celeste’s eyes.
Yet, she quickly wrapped an arm around Helena, supporting her trembling frame.
“You need to have faith in me, Helena. I’ve always been incredibly careful with the collection.
Don’t let Mr. Pierce scare you. Your health is what matters most p>
Helena completely ignored her comforting words. Her eyes were wide with terror, her lips trembling.
“No, Celeste, hurry. Arrange for someone to offer whatever it takes to bring Master Lyra to the manor. right now to inspect the rest of my jewelry.
You have to get someone to bring it all back immediately! I need to know for sure, or I won’t have a moment of peace p>
Celeste’s heart dropped like a stone. She never expected Helena to actually take the advice.