?Chapter 1707:


    Eventually, Christina’s artwork fetched a staggering one hundred million — double the amount Violette’s piece hadmanded. Once the hammer fell and the paperwork was sealed, the man behind that sky-high offer finally exhaled. He knew perfectly well that if anyone had pushed the price higher, he would have been forced to bow out. Even so,ying down such a sum felt shrewd rather than reckless — he was certain the value would soar again one day.


    “I’vee out on top, Miss Hewitt. It’s time to im what I’ve earned.” Christina’s eyes drifted to the ruby ring shing on Violette’s finger.


    Violette reacted at once, covering it with her other hand. No one was ever taking that ring from her.


    “Miss Hewitt, are you throwing a tantrum now that you’ve lost?” Christina drawled, her voice edged with mockery.


    “And who says I lost?” Violette answered, lifting her lips into a self-assured smile as she regarded Christina with coolposure. “I’m very much still standing.”


    “Really?” Christina arched a brow. “Go on, then.”


    “You’re nothing but a bargain-bin imitator,” Violette shot back, a sly grin tugging at her mouth. “Stealing someone else’s style is cheating, in and simple. That so-called win of yours means nothing. You’re the real loser.”


    “Then enlighten me,” Christina replied, the faintest curve on her lips, utterly unruffled. “Whose work have I supposedly taken?”


    “Why don’t we all examine this painting more closely?” Violette proposed, gesturing toward Christina’s artwork.


    The audience’s gaze slid from the painting back to Violette, confusion written across their faces.


    “Miss Hewitt, what exactly is the issue?” someone called out.


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    “Can’t you see how closely her technique mirrors that of the renowned Wyvena?” Violette said.


    Those who had missed it before suddenly looked again, and recognition flickered across their faces.


    “No wonder it felt familiar! Those roses — don’t they look just like Wyvena’s? It’s uncanny.”


    “Exactly! Wyvena’s Rosewind Expanse was unforgettable — roses bursting into bloom like a boundless ocean, shimmering beneath the sun.”


    “When you look at it that way, it does seem lifted. The roses are rendered almost identically. The longer you stare, the more obvious the imitation bes.”


    A low hum rippled through the room as murmurs turned into open criticism.


    “Copying a master’s piece without adding anything of your own is essentially stealing, isn’t it?”


    “Painting for yourself is one thing, but selling it for money — even under the guise of charity — is vile.”


    “I’ve never witnessed such nerve. She’s a thief, no question about it.”


    The guestsshed out at Christina, convinced their outrage ced them firmly on the side of justice. Some of them carried stains of their own, yet that didn’t stop them from posturing as paragons of virtue.


    La’s brows knitted as she murmured, “How could Bonnie giarize someone else’s painting for a charity event? What are we supposed to do now?” Without thinking, she dismissed any notion that Christina could have produced something truly original, certain this scandal would disgrace the Jones family. Only moments ago, when Christina had outshone Violette, La had felt both jealousy and pride — begrudging her talent while quietly basking in the reflected glory. Now that feeling had invertedpletely, leaving her anxious that Christina would humiliate her instead.


    “I don’t believe Bonnie did it on purpose,” Jaxen said in a low voice. “She probably doesn’t realize how serious this looks.”


    Bain’s face tightened, a shadow of irritation settling over his features. He trusted that Christina would never sink to such behavior, and the Wade siblings’ unfounded nder genuinely angered him. Anyone who questioned Christina or sought to demean her would find themselves shut out of his world entirely.


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