Chapter 543
Chapter 543:
“No way this is the real deal. Who in their right mind would splurge like this? We’re not talking three hundred dollars or even three hundred thousand dollars — this is three hundred million! Can you even wrap your head around that? That kind of money could sustain an entire middle-class family for decades. And now Maia’s suddenly the queen of Wront? People are going to talk. Most families spend generations building wealth, but nowadays it feels like some folks just conjure it overnight p>
“I’ve got my doubts too. The jewel might be a knockoff, and honestly, Maia probably won’t keep it. For all we know, these guests could be actors. She’s well-connected in showbiz, and with half the entertainment industry just celebrating her birthday, this could all be a performance p>
“So it’s all smoke and mirrors! No wonder the whole setup felt like a scripted drama. I nearly applauded the light show, thinking it was some grand gesture p>
As whispers gained momentum, the crowd began echoing each other’s suspicions.
What started as gasps of awe slowly melted into knowing nods, the shift in mood bringing a strange sense of relief.
Rosanna let out a mocking laugh, her voice heavy with ridicule. “Oh please, Maia just wanted her birthday to feel like a red-carpet event. But come on — three hundred million? That’s not a gift; it’s a publicity stunt gone wild p>
Without missing a beat, Stacy added her voice to the rising tide of skepticism. “Exactly! Who in their right mind would blow that much money? It’s not like he’s buying it for his wife. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if ‘Mr. M’ is just Maia in disguise, running the whole charade herself p>
With that, a wave of suspicion swept through the room, as if a single drop of doubt had stirred a sea of whispers.
“So all of this… just to make it seem like she’s being courted by some powerful mystery man? That’s twistedly clever p>
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“It all started to make sense when Mr. M’s men and his gifts conveniently appeared after Claudius handed over his gifts — and copied his flair, no less. The entire setup reeks of a scheme to outshine Claudius and elevate Maia by comparison. Now the whole city will think she’s caught the attention of someone even more influential p>
“Humph! I knew it was too good to be true. Thank goodness people are finally catching on. We almost got duped by her little fantasy p>
“She really needs to take a step back. Yes, she’s made some waves in music and fashion, but this level of dramatics is just embarrassing p>
A flicker of silence passed through the crowd as the masked man — still composed — paused for a beat. He hadn’t come just to offer Maia gifts. He had come to remind Wront’s self-proclaimed elite where true influence actually came from.
Turning calmly, he addressed Claudius in a voice that carried across the courtyard. “Since there are questions about whether the gem is real, why not invite the person most qualified to confirm it?” His gaze fixed on Claudius, a knowing smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “After all, Mr. Cooper, surely you recognize a piece your own company mined and sold — don’t you p>
Claudius couldn’t help but feel that the masked man was truly full of himself. The moment stirred a quiet unrest in many hearts. His calmness was unsettling. Could it be that…
No, that couldn’t be happening!
One person, unable to stay quiet any longer, blurted out, “Is he trying to pull a fast one? How could he dare ask Mr. Cooper to appraise the gem? Doesn’t he fear the embarrassment p>
“So arrogant! Thinking he could pass off a fake as the real deal, not realizing that Mr. Cooper knows more about gems than anyone else in Wront. He’s walking straight into disaster p>
A female socialite, already bristling with jealousy, added sharply, “Mr. Cooper wouldn’t stoop so low. He wouldn’t support Maia in a sham like this, or pretend to go along with it p>