Chapter 405
The crowd began drifting toward the center of the ballroom, closing in around Caitlin and Ann until the two were surrounded.
With a faint, calculated smile, Ann turned to Caitlin, adopting a tone of concern that was anything but genuine. “Freya, Mr. Quinten has arrived. You should really leave now. No need to make things awkward for yourself p>
She continued, her voice pitched just loud enough for everyone to hear, “I’ve told you before, I’m your sister. I can let this go. If Miss Prescott or Mabel gives you trouble, I’ll handle it for you p>
Caitlin shot her a look, her reply just as audible and twice as cold: “Drop the act. It’s disgusting p>
Murmurs rippled through the room. Acting? Was Caitlin really accusing Ann of putting on a show-when Mr. Quinten himself had come to support Ann? If anyone was faking, who was it?
Meanwhile, the livestream chat exploded.
[Unbelievable. Victoria’s always treated her so well, and she still acts ungrateful. Whatever, let her reap what she sows p>
[Here we go! The moment we’ve all been waiting for p>
[I can’t wait to see her get put in her place p>
[She’s about to get what she deserves p>
[LMAO, this is priceless p>
[The impostor’s got no shame. I’m embarrassed just watching p>
[Mr. Quinten’s here to stand up for his little benefactor p>
[Freya, just leave already p>
[Someone please ban Freya from Twitter-permanently p>
In the blink of an eye, viewers shot up from fifty thousand to over a hundred thousand.
Suddenly, the grand doors of the ballroom swung open.
All eyes turned as a distinguished figure strode in-Mr. Quinten himself. He wore a tailored, high-collared jacket that exuded artisti flair, his silver hair and Beard impeccably groomed, a long string of emerald-green beads hanging from his peck. Two assistants followed in his wake, amplifying his already commanding presence.
Without hesitation, Mr. Quinten walked straight toward Caitlin and Ann. The crowd instinctively parted, clearing a path for him.
Caitlin and Ann stood side by side as
he approached. Then Mr. Quinten came to a stop before them, bent deeply at the waist, and spoke with heartfelt reverence. “Miss Victoria, my dear benefactor-since we parted last summer, it’s been half a year. If you hadn’t saved me that day, I wouldn’t be standing here now. I can never thank you enough p>
He gestured to his assistant, who handed over a polished wooden box. Mr. Quinten opened the lid.
Instantly, a dazzling light spilled from the box, scattering rainbow sparks across the floor.
Gasps echoed through the ballroom.
“Oh my God, it really is the Polaris
Tear! I’d heard rumors that Mr.
Quinten
was giving Miss Templeton
a Polaris Tear, but thought it w just gossip. I can’t believe it’s true p>
The chat lost its collective mind.
[It’s the Polaris Tear! I can’t believe I’m witnessing this live p>
[The impostor should get down on her knees and apologize to Victoria p>
[Honestly, who else but our Victoria could inspire such respect from Mr. Quinten p>
[Victoria is a legend p>
[People must be dying of jealousy right now p>
[Jealous? More like humiliated! If I were Freya, I’d want to disappear p>
Polaris Tear was a legendary gemstone—so rare and priceless that even the
Richards Family’s Azure Mermaid’s Tear paled in comparison.
No one had expected Mr. Quinten to present such a treasure, not even Ann.