Every head in the room turned toward Elliana.

Though her beauty easily drew attention, the air buzzed more with doubt than admiration.

Renee's gaze landed on Elliana's empty hands, and a mocking smirk played at her lips.

"You really crashed the banquet just to get close to Caduceus, didn't you? I bet you spent everything renting that dress just to get through the door. Couldn't manage even a token for the healer? Unless you thought dressing up like this would make you the gift?"

Her words sent a ripple of laughter through the crowd, especially from the men, whose stares became even more shameless.

Dominic's jaw tightened as his mood soured.

Disgust twisted through him as he watched what he thought was Elliana's shameless bid for attention.

All he could see was a woman from nowhere, desperately trying to play a part that did not suit her, making a fool of him in front of everyone.

His glare grew sharp, as he silently wished she would get the message and leave quietly.

Elliana, unfazed, sat back in her chair and lazily swirled her wine. Her eyes lifted, mesmerizing and calm, drifting past Dominic to rest on the jade hairpin Renee clutched. Not once did she spare Dominic a single glance. A cool, barely-there smile curved her lips.

When she finally spoke, her words rang out, edged with cold sarcasm.

"So tell me, Miss Fowler, are you speaking on behalf of the Stanley Group?"

Renee lifted her chin with pride. "Naturally."

Elliana let the wine touch her lips, the deep color drawing every eye for a moment.

A colder sharpness settled in her gaze.

"Then I'm curious. Has the Stanley Group fallen so low that they've resorted to presenting counterfeits?"

A collective gasp swept through the room.

This was a gift meant for Caduceus.

Everyone knew that even the healthiest people strained their wallets and imaginations to offer something meaningful, because a healer of that caliber was a once‑in‑a‑lifetime lifeline.

Even if one didn't need a miracle now, securing Caduceus's favor meant future protection.

To present a fake was not just foolish.

It was a public disgrace.

Renee felt the weight of those implications immediately.

But she barely flinched, her smirk only growing bolder.

"Elliana, if you do not know what you are talking about, it's best to stay quiet. You are only putting your ignorance on display. Playing dress-up does not make you one of us."

She lifted the jade hairpin higher, displaying it for the crowd to see.

"This is a one-of-a-kind piece by the master carver, Rocco Wallace! There is not another like it anywhere. The design, inspired by the art of healing, has earned the National Museum Collection Gold Award. Every detail can be verified. The Stanley Group's regard for Caduceus is sincere and unwavering."

Her impassioned defense had Dominic watching her with new admiration, feeling a rush of pride just for being in her orbit.

This was the kind of woman he believed should stand by his side.

Meanwhile, Elliana calmly placed her glass down and crossed the floor with steady grace.

"Real jade should feel cool and silky, with a clarity and glow that runs deep. Bright color alone does not mean quality. The person who forged this piece used clever techniques, hiding traces of dye with intricate carving and playing with the light to mask inferior stone. The thing is, even the best tricks fall apart under proper inspection. All you need is a standard appraisal flashlight."

Without missing a beat, Trevor arranged for someone to fetch a flashlight and handed it straight to Elliana himself.

Elliana extended her hand toward Renee, her stare cold and unflinching.

"Are you brave enough to let everyone see the truth?"

Clad in a vibrant red dress, she looked both fearless and utterly composed, her presence lighting up the room.

She radiated confidence—never flustered, never backing down.

From a quiet corner in the VIP lounge, a man leaned forward, fingers drumming lightly on his knee as he watched the exchange unfold.

There was something about Elliana that kept his attention locked. He gestured for his attendant to hold back the gift presentation. "Hold on. Let's see how this plays out."

...

On stage, a ripple of unease passed over Renee's face.

She remembered how the black-market dealer promised her it was an authentic Rocco Wallace, though he could never fully guarantee its origin.

She had attended enough auctions abroad to know the basics of judging jade, but doubt was starting to creep in.

Snagging a piece by Rocco Wallace for half a million felt like a bargain too good to pass up.

Renee had given the hairpin a quick inspection herself before handing over the money, then told Dominic it cost her two million.

There hadn't been time for a proper appraisal by an expert.

Now, Elliana's accusations made her stomach twist with doubt.

Her hand snapped the lid shut on the box.

"You can't just go poking at something this rare. Testing jade isn't a game. Who gave you the right to lay hands on Caduceus's present? If you damage it, who's going to answer for that?"

Dominic's frown grew stormy.

He climbed onto the stage, took Elliana by the arm, and pulled her aside.

"That's enough. You're an orphan without even a college degree. What makes you think you can judge something like this? Step down—now."

Elliana stood her ground. With a quick twist of her wrist, she broke free from Dominic's hold without any effort.

Dominic, completely thrown off balance, stumbled into Renee. The box slipped from Renee's grasp, hitting the floor with a sharp crack, and the jade hairpin snapped clean in two.

Tears sprang to Renee's eyes as she desperately reached for the shattered pieces.

"Look at what you've done! Dominic and I spent so much time choosing that gift. Are you satisfied now, Elliana?" Her voice rang out in a wail. She hurt her finger on purpose, then pressed herself dramatically against Dominic's chest, feigning heartbreak.

Fury drained all the color from Dominic's face.

He wrapped his arms around Renee, whispering soothing words while shooting Elliana a look full of venom.

Elliana appeared unfazed. She knelt, picked up half the broken hairpin, and switched on the flashlight.

A vivid, unnatural purple glow lit up under the beam—a telltale sign of fluorescent dye, proof that the jade was fake.

"It's a fake!"

"Rocco would never use imitation jade for his work!"

"This proves the Stanley Group tried to pass off a fake as a gift!"

As the crowd whispered and cast accusatory glances, Dominic's and Renee's faces grew darker by the second.

Elliana took in the chaos with a quiet sense of triumph.

Right then, Trevor made his way onto the stage, his presence commanding attention.

He raised his voice for all to hear. "By presenting a counterfeit, the Stanley Group has insulted both Sanctorum and Caduceus. Effective immediately, the Stanley Group is blacklisted. They will never receive our services."

Dominic stood frozen in disbelief.

He shoved past Renee, desperate to defend himself.

"Mr. Saunders, we meant no disrespect! The Stanley Group was genuinely seeking treatment. We had no idea the hairpin wasn't authentic! How can you treat this as a deliberate insult? If Caduceus is willing to help my mother, we will pay double the usual fee!"

Trevor's gaze was cold as he regarded Dominic.

"Do you honestly believe Sanctorum cares about your money?"

Dominic faltered, words failing him. Humiliation washed over him as the weight of Trevor's dismissal sank in.

The whispers and sideways glances from everyone around made Dominic's embarrassment even sharper.

How had it all gone so wrong?

Renee had sworn she could win Caduceus's favor, but now they were not just rejected—they were blacklisted for good.

His eyes flashed with anger as he turned on Renee.

"Tell me the truth. Where did you really get that hairpin?"

Renee had no way to answer, not when she had skimmed a hefty sum off the top for herself.

Her big scheme to show off had completely blown up in her face.

Consumed by frustration, she lashed out at Elliana, hand raised for a slap. "You ruin everything, you miserable bitch!"

Elliana only gave her a mocking smile.

Was this the best Renee could do—throw a tantrum when the game was lost?

Did Renee really think she would just stand there and take it?

Someone needed to teach Renee a lesson.

Elliana sidestepped the blow with ease, ready to counter, when a new presence slipped smoothly between them.

A refined musk, clean and cool like a breath of winter, drifted on the air.

"Did the Stanley family forget their manners?" A man's voice rang out, deep and commanding, every word laced with effortless authority.

Elliana stilled. That voice was oddly familiar, stirring an old, half-buried memory.

She lifted her gaze, startled.

Soft light crowned the man's profile, throwing his sharp, rugged features into relief—a face both handsome and magnetic.

"You..."

Renee tried to let out another insult, but Dominic cut her off, his arm steadying her as he blurted out, wide-eyed with recognition, "Uncle Greyson?"

A flash of annoyance crossed Greyson Spencer's face at the address.

Dominic, oblivious, beamed and guided a still-reeling Renee toward him.

"Uncle Greyson, I never thought I'd see you at the banquet! You have to help us—my mother's health is failing. As family, you're the only one who can get Caduceus to see her!"

A ripple of surprise swept through the crowd.

"Greyson Spencer is here? I didn't realize he was related to Dominic."

"No one in Ipester can match the Spencer family for power and money. If Greyson steps in, who could possibly refuse him?"

Elliana arched an eyebrow, instantly recognizing the man before her.

It was Greyson Spencer.

He was the legendary head of the Spencer family—someone so high above the business world that few dared cross him.

His striking looks were matched only by his reputation for ruthlessness.

There was no one better at crushing competitors.

Elliana remembered all too well how Greyson had brought down several of Leah's major ventures, earning a permanent spot at the top of Leah's enemies list.

He really was as impressive in person as all the stories claimed.

Elliana had not expected him to be tied to the Stanley family. The world really was small. It looked like she would be dealing with them as a set.

She rolled her wrist, preparing herself for whatever might come next.

Meanwhile, Dominic caught the buzz of admiration from the crowd and felt his spirits lift.

Fortune was finally turning his way. With Greyson on his side, nobody else here could touch them.

All those attempts to get on Greyson's radar had not been wasted. Dominic had even gone out of his way to let Greyson know about tonight's banquet and made sure he had his business card in hand.

Renee jumped at the chance to introduce herself, quickly looping her arm through Dominic's and flashing her brightest smile. "Mr. Spencer, it's such a pleasure! I'm Renee Fowler, Dominic's girlfriend. I've heard wonderful things about you, but I never imagined you'd be even more charming in person!"

Dominic wasted no time following up. "Uncle Greyson, Renee and I were hoping—"

Greyson's voice cut in, sharp and uncompromising, "Spare me the details of your relationship. I have no patience for such trivial matters."

His brusque dismissal sent a ripple of shock through the room.

Even Elliana felt a flicker of surprise.

What was Greyson really after?

While she tried to read his expression, Greyson's gaze shifted her way. His eyes, dark and unreadable, lingered on her for a long moment.

"Anyone with working eyes wouldn't mistake fake jade for the real thing," he remarked, the scorn in his tone so strong it drained all the color from Renee's cheeks.

Greyson then fixed his attention on Dominic, every inch the authoritative patriarch.

"Well? What are you waiting for? Apologize now. Or do you plan to shame the Stanley family even further?"

Just minutes before, Dominic had been so eager to parade his connection. Now he wilted under Greyson's glare, rooted in place, uncertain whether to defend himself or slink away.

Dominic threw Elliana a glare, silently commanding her to fix this disaster.

She paid him no mind. Instead, she turned a brilliant smile on Greyson.

Her chin lifted, her confidence unmistakable—she looked radiant and untouchable.

For a moment, she had assumed Greyson was here to bail out Dominic, but it was clear he had his own agenda.

The imposing man leaned in just enough to hear her, his tailored black suit accentuating his tall, regal bearing. There was a chill to his elegance, as if he were carved from stone.

His interaction with Elliana was a world apart from the dismissiveness he had shown Renee.

As she watched this, Renee's jealousy flashed in her eyes.

She quickly remembered that Greyson was not a man to cross.

There was the story of a famous actress who tried to seduce him with spiked wine; she was tossed out without a second thought, her career in ruins by morning.

Rumor had it she barely got close enough to touch the hem of his suit.

A new plan began to form in Renee's mind.

She put on a show of contrition, but as she stumbled forward, she used the moment to shove Elliana straight into Greyson's path.

She watched, barely containing her glee, as Elliana crashed into him.

Inwardly, Renee smirked. Now Elliana had crossed the line. She would like to see how Elliana got out of this.

She fully expected Greyson to have Elliana thrown out on the spot.

Instead, the famously distant man simply reached out, steadying Elliana with a light hand at her waist.

"Watch your step."

Renee stared, speechless, unable to process what she was seeing.

Elliana was just as stunned.

When they collided, Elliana's hand accidentally slid across Greyson's firm stomach, stopping just short of an intimate area best left untouched.

The way his abdominal muscles were carved beneath his suit caught her completely off guard.

Who would have thought he was hiding that kind of body?

She caught herself, flustered, quickly stepping back as warmth rose to her cheeks.

She soon pulled herself together, steering the moment elsewhere.

"Mr. Spencer, did you also come to meet Caduceus? The line for presenting gifts is that way."

Greyson showed not even a trace of discomfort from their earlier collision.

He offered her a quiet, almost effortless smile. "There's no need to hurry."

His attention then shifted toward Renee.

That was when Elliana remembered Renee's little shove. She crossed her arms, letting a slow, cold smile form.

"Now that I think about it, someone here still hasn't apologized. And a real apology takes more than a few empty words. A respectful bow should be enough."

She closed the distance in two calm steps and struck Renee across the cheek with a sharp, echoing snap.

The slap served as clean repayment for the attempted attack.

"You—!"

Renee's voice trembled with fury, but the combined weight of Elliana's glare and Greyson's impassive stare forced her to swallow her rage. Instead, she turned to Dominic, eyes shimmering with conveniently timed tears.

"For your sake, I'll accept this shame. Please, don't let this ruin things between you and your uncle. If you want, I'll kneel right now."

She actually began lowering herself as if ready to kneel.

Dominic's composure cracked.

If she went through with it, the embarrassment would be his to bear.

"Elliana, is all this really necessary? You've already smashed the gift. What more do you want?"

A harsh laugh slipped from Elliana, ice cold and unyielding.

She took her time with every word, each syllable dripping scorn.

"What I want is for you both to disappear. Dominic, maybe instead of defending her, you should find out what your darling Renee has been hiding from you."

Dominic just laughed off the warning.

"Elliana, don't get ahead of yourself. This event is invite-only. We walked in with our own credentials. Who put you in charge of throwing people out?"

At that moment, Trevor's voice rang out from the stage, cutting through the tension. "Your counterfeit gift has already insulted Caduceus. Please leave at once."

Dominic's complexion went pale.

The idea that the hairpin could be a forgery was unthinkable. He could not bring himself to believe Renee would ever lie to him, so in his mind, this had to be one of Elliana's schemes.

He was just about to protest when a commanding voice cut through the tension.

"Are you going to leave quietly, or should I arrange for your removal?" Greyson's tone left no room for debate.

In an instant, the Spencer family's security detail closed in around Dominic and Renee, prepared to escort them out.

A heavy silence blanketed the room, everyone watching the scene unfold.

Meanwhile, Elliana's curiosity sharpened with each passing second.

Compared to Dominic, this man was in a league of his own.

Dominic raised a shaking finger at Elliana, a comeback on the tip of his tongue, but Greyson's cold stare shut him down before he could utter a word. Beaten, he had no choice but to slink away, dragging a sullen Renee behind him.

Elliana watched Dominic and Renee slink out, a sly smile curving her lips. Renee's secrets ran much deeper—this scandal was only the beginning. Maybe Dominic would figure it out someday.

Greyson, fresh from turning his back on family without a hint of regret, stood with an unnerving grace. His calm, almost gentle smile barely softened the iron in his manner.

"The Spencer family would like to offer its gift now."

An attendant appeared at once, presenting an exquisitely crafted box for all to see.

For reasons she couldn't quite name, Elliana felt a ripple of suspense tighten in her chest. Something told her that whatever lay inside Greyson's gift might be tied to the very answers she had been searching for.