Everyone was stunned by Mr. Lloyd''s words.


    Good Lord! Who would have thought that a piece of such in-looking wood could be so valuable?


    It was simply unbelievable.


    Effie''s expression was just as surprised as the rest of the crowd.


    No one had expected Effie to have such resourcefulness-to actually get her hands on something like this.


    Most of the guests had onlye to spectate, convinced they''d be the ones quietly watching a spectacle unfold. Now, as it turned out, the real fools were themselves.


    Selma slipped the bracelet onto her wrist and nodded in satisfaction. "This was a gift from my granddaughter. It''s the most precious present I''ve ever received, and


    I wouldn''t sell it to anyone."


    Mr. Lloyd burst into heartyughter. "Madam, you''re truly blessed."


    Effie offered a soft smile, choosing not to say more.


    Her calmposure and elegance drew admiring nces from the guests. Some began to whisper, casting sidelong looks at her.


    It seemed everyone agreed-Effie had both wealth and beauty.


    Suzan furrowed her brow and asked, “Effie, where did you get this?"


    Suzan''s tone held more than a hint of skepticism; she clearly doubted whether


    Effie really could have managed to buy something so rare.


    Effie responded coolly, "I had someone find it for me."


    Nn was quite the miracle worker; there was nothing too strange or obscure for him to track down.


    This rare wood was the kind of thing you might see once in a lifetime, though Effie herself had seen her share of extraordinary things.


    She hadn''t expected to encounter such an ignorant crowd, though. If Mr. Lloyd hadn''t been there today, she probably wouldn''t have been able to exin herself at all.


    After her exnation, no one dared to press further.


    The mood lightened, and the party resumed-everyoneughing, eating, and drinking.


    Vera gave Suzan a quick nce.


    Suzan caught on immediately.


    The two of them had a surprise in store for Effie.


    Effie, meanwhile, realized she hadn''t eaten much all day and was starting to feel hungry. She picked up a piece of cake and began to eat, taking her time.


    Just then, a waiter passed by, carrying a tray with several sses of red wine.


    The waiter seemed to be moving a bit too quickly; suddenly, his foot slipped, and he lurched forward. The entire tray tilted, sending wine sshing in Effie''s direction.


    Effie reacted in a sh, twisting her body to the side. Even so, a few drops of wine still sttered onto her dress.


    Her white dress was instantly stained a deep crimson.


    Effie frowned slightly, then raised her gaze to the waiter. Her voice was calm, but there was a chill beneath it. "You should be more careful."


    The waiter paled, clearly terrified, and immediately apologized. "I''m so sorry, miss! I didn''t mean to please, let me show you to one of the guest rooms so you can clean up."


    Effie nced down at her ruined dress and finally nodded. "Alright."


    The white fabric made the stains all the more obvious.


    The maid led Effie to a guest room at the back of the house. "Please wait here, miss. I''ll fetch something to help you clean up."


    With that, the maid stepped out, quietly closing the door behind her.


    Effie stood alone for a moment, then suddenly frowned as she noticed an odd, sweet scent drifting through the air. Instantly alert, she held her breath, doing her best not to inhale whatever was in the room.


    Something''s wrong! she realized at once. She''d walked right into a trap.


    Forcing herself to remain steady, Effie quickly dug through her bag and pulled out


    a small bottle of spray, spritzing it over her mouth and nose.


    It was a stimnt Nn had concocted himself-meant to clear the mind and counteract sedatives.


    She remembered Nn mentioning a kind of narcotic with a floral aroma-one that could knock out an ordinary person in less than three minutes.