Chapter 73


Nina’s POV

The room was thick with tension, and the air practically buzzed with unspoken accusations. I felt the weight of every gaze on me, each one heavy with doubt, suspicion, or outright contempt. Jaspers smirk only added fuel to the fire, and I clenched my fists beneath the table, willing myself to stay calm. His smug expression seemed to scream, *Gotcha*, and I hated how easily he could rile me up.

I glanced at Shirley, her brows furrowed in disbelief as she looked between me and the porcelain bowls. For someone who had just declared us friends, her face now carried traces of betrayal and skepticism. Her words echoed in my ears: *One of them has to be fake.*

I forced a smile, though my heart hammered against my chest. “Shirley, you don’t understand. I—”

“Wait a second,”she interrupted, her voice trembling with a mix of frustration and curiosity. “Antiques like these are supposed to be rare and unique. Then how are there two sets of *Ru ware* bow