"This was an anniversary gift from my husband. I didn't ask too many questions.
All I know is that a renowned designer created it. It's a limited edition, the only one in the world, and very precious!" Lin Xiyue replied smugly.
[Now things are getting interesting!]
*[The one Mommy's wearing is fake. Xu Junshan secretly swapped out the real one and gave it to his mistress, so the necklace around her neck is actually Mommy's. That's the genuine one.*
*Mommy's about to take on the mistress. This is going to be good! Coming here today was definitely worth it.]*
Shen Shuyi's expression stiffened when she heard that, and her hand unconsciously rose to touch the emerald necklace around her neck.
A prong holding one of the stones suddenly jabbed her finger. Sure enough, the details on a fake weren't finished as flawlessly as those on the original.
How dare that bastard Xu Junshan steal the gift her mother had given her and hand it to his mistress?
An anniversary gift, her ass!
He had even commissioned an identical fake to pass off as the real thing!
How dare he!
"Sit, sit. Let's not all stand around talking.
Since we all like jewelry and know something about it, why don't we sit down and discuss it together?
I've never taken over my family's jewelry business, but I do know a little. This is a perfect chance to chat," Cui Yushu said, trying to smooth things over.
After hearing Shen Banxia's thoughts earlier, she had already become more wary of Wanzhi.
Now she saw that the friend Wanzhi had brought along was wearing a necklace identical to Shen Shuyi's.
And she had made a remark that sounded downright provocative, as though Shen Shuyi were the one wearing a counterfeit.
That made Cui Yushu even more displeased.
Others might not know Shen Shuyi, but how could she not? They had grown up together and were close enough to share the same dress.
Shen Shuyi would never wear a fake unless there was more to the story.
Besides, Shen Shuyi's mother, Aunt Fang, had commissioned this necklace from the renowned designer Dennis Lu through Cui Yushu's introduction years ago. She remembered it clearly. There really was only one.
"Cui Yushu, could you contact Dennis Lu for me and find out what's going on?" Shen Shuyi turned to Cui Yushu and asked.
Since this woman was Xu Junshan's mistress, even if she couldn't expose her true face, she couldn't simply let this slide. They were on her best friend's turf today, so she would have to impose on her just this once.
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?
As it happens, Dennis Lu has been designing a jewelry set for me. He said he'd bring over the preliminary designs this afternoon for me to choose from.
I'll call and see if he can come this morning instead," Cui Yushu replied.
"I'll contact the designer too and have the certificate for my necklace sent over. We wouldn't want any misunderstandings about Shuyi," Lin Xiyue said with a smile, rising and walking away to make a call.
After finishing her call, Cui Yushu said,
"Dennis Lu has a client this morning and can't get away, but his assistant can come and authenticate them for us.
Don't worry. What's real can't become fake, and what's fake can't become real!"
Then she turned to Wanzhi and said,
"Don't you agree, Wanzhi?"
"Of course!" Wanzhi replied with an awkward laugh, already regretting bringing Lin Xiyue along.
If Lin Xiyue hadn't said she wanted to meet Mrs. Xie too,
and if Wanzhi hadn't wanted to do her a favor while also getting her help recommending the trust fund, she would never have brought her along.
She hadn't expected the awkward situation of Lin Xiyue wearing the same necklace as Shen Shuyi, with both women claiming theirs was the only one in the world.
It was rather embarrassing. One of them was clearly in the wrong, but no matter which one it was, Cui Yushu would be put in a difficult position as their hostess.
This would directly affect Wanzhi's plans to discuss investing in the trust with Cui Yushu.
Lin Xiyue went out into the courtyard to call Xu Junshan, but he didn't answer either of her two calls. Clearly, he was busy.
Anyway, her necklace was genuine. What did she have to fear?
Surely Xu Junshan wouldn't buy a fake to fool her.
Besides, she had had it appraised herself. It was indeed an untreated emerald and diamond necklace, and its specifications were of the highest grade.
Brimming with confidence, Lin Xiyue returned to the reception room and said with a smile,
"Actually, there's nothing wrong with having matching necklaces. After all, this design is so fresh and beautiful.
A designer must have copied it and recommended it to Shuyi.
Shuyi happened to like it, so it's perfectly normal that she had an identical one made!"
At first glance, those words
seemed to defend Shen Shuyi and rule out the possibility that she had knowingly worn a fake,
shifting all the blame onto Shen Shuyi's designer.
Yet at the same time, they emphasized that her own necklace was the genuine one.
It was a masterfully two-faced speech, leaving no opening for criticism.
Clearly, Lin Xiyue hadn't held on to Xu Junshan's heart for all these years without a few tricks and some intelligence.
"It was a gift from my mother. How could I not love it?
Once Dennis Lu's assistant arrives, we'll soon know what's going on.
After all, I've always been rather reserved and particular. I like things that are one of a kind, and I don't like sharing," Shen Shuyi replied calmly.
So what if the necklace around her neck was fake? As long as she could prove that Lin Xiyue's belonged to her, that was enough.
Dennis Lu's assistant soon arrived.
They moved from the tea room to the living room, which was more spacious and better suited to the appraisal.
To avoid any mix-ups, they examined Shen Shuyi's necklace first, recording both video and audio throughout as evidence.
Wearing gloves, Assistant Wu carefully took the necklace and weighed it in his hand, his brows drawing together slightly.
Seeing his reaction, Lin Xiyue felt even more pleased with herself.
After examining it through a magnifying glass, Assistant Wu looked up at Shen Shuyi and asked,
"Is this the necklace Mr. Lu designed for you, Ms. Shen?"
"Yes. I only have one. I usually keep it in a bank safe-deposit box and only took it out recently to wear," Shen Shuyi replied with a smile and a nod.
"No, this isn't the necklace Mr. Lu designed for you.
This one is fake. The stones aren't emeralds at all. They're reconstructed imitation stones produced using high heat."
"Fake? How is that possible?" Shen Shuyi replied, looking astonished.
Cui Yushu and Chen Wanzhi were stunned too. Neither had expected Shen Shuyi's necklace to be fake.
"I'm absolutely certain this is a fake.
Mr. Lu also registered a patent for this necklace design, and it's protected by copyright.
Besides the unique serial number on the setting, the diamonds also have unique identification numbers inscribed on their girdles as anti-counterfeiting marks.
So even if someone copied the design using genuine gemstones, it would still be an infringement and a counterfeit.
What's more, this necklace has no serial number, and even the gemstones themselves are fake.
It is definitely not the necklace Mr. Lu originally designed and had made. It isn't genuine," Assistant Wu stated firmly.
He had only just begun studying under Mr. Lu back then, and the stunning emerald necklace Mr. Lu had just completed had left a deep impression on him. He had also checked the relevant records on his way over. There could be no mistake.
"Shuyi, I told you mine was the real one, the only one of its kind, but you wouldn't believe me!" Lin Xiyue said, even more smugly.
Xu Junshan really hadn't lied to her. This truly was a limited-edition piece commissioned especially for her.
Shen Shuyi's, on the other hand, was nothing but a counterfeit. To think she had the nerve to come out wearing a necklace of fake gemstones and make a fool of herself.
The thought filled Lin Xiyue with delight.
"Don't be so sure just yet! Take yours off and have it authenticated too. Then we'll know the result," Shen Shuyi replied with a faint smile.
After all, the best part was still to come!
Before you continue