The corner of Ms. Geraldine’s mouth twitched as she stood there, looking flustered and uneasy. “Of course, how could a big star ever forget something like that? Ms. Geraldine is just being too modest.” The young women around us were all devoted fans of hers. Seeing her looking torn and uncomfortable, they assumed she was simply embarrassed. I dialed a video call and laughed. “See? Everyone thinks you’re feeling guilty—oh no, I mean, modest, Ms. Geraldine. It’s just one phone call.” Geraldine clenched her teeth and kept quiet. The screen lit up with Jackson, bleary-eyed and barely awake. “What’s going on, Raelyn?” he mumbled. I cut straight to the point. “Do you still have the Heart of Rupert?” Jackson took a sip of water and rubbed his eyes. “Yeah, of course. Why?” “There’s a young woman here claiming you sold her that watch. Can you take a look—see if it’s her?” I angled the camera toward Geraldine’s awkward, forced smile. Jackson’s brows furrowed immediately. “Who the heck is she? Why would I ever sell that watch? You know me—I only buy, never sell.” “Alright then. Could you take it out and show everyone?” I pressed him, serious and insistent. If I was going to call her out, I had to make it airtight—leave her no way to talk her way out of it. Still baffled, Jackson got up and fetched the watch from his display cabinet. The moment he opened the box, every onlooker’s eyes went wide. The watch gleamed with a strange, otherworldly brilliance, casting a bluish glow. A ruby sat in the center, its luster outshining the one Geraldine had gifted. “If that’s all, I’m going back to bed,” Jackson said with a wave before hanging up. I turned to Geraldine, whose face had already gone pale. “Ms. Geraldine, wouldn’t you like to explain where your watch came from?” I asked with mock puzzlement. She stammered, “I bought it from someone. I spent a lot of money, but I didn’t realize…”“Sure, buying a fake isn’t the issue; knowingly buying a fake, now that’s the real problem,” I said with a booming laugh. “You!” Her expression was even worse than if she’d just broken down crying. I twisted the knife with another jab. “Why does your face look so bad, Ms. Geraldine? About to faint? That might be for the best; fainting means you don’t have to worry about how everyone’s staring at you.” She was pressing her forehead, about to fake a faint, until I called her bluff. Flustered, she forced a shaky smile. “Of course not; I’d never…” “Oh, so you’re willing to apologize? You’re a public figure; if this gets out, it won’t be good for your reputation.” As I spoke, I deliberately glanced at the reporters nearby. Their instincts were razor sharp; cameras snapped and flashed instantly. “Ms. Geraldine, you’d better apologize now. If the press spreads this, your image will take a serious hit,” I goaded. Finally, she broke. Bowing her head toward the cameras, she choked out through tears, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to buy a fake; I just wanted to surprise Mr. Robin…” Seeing her cry even tugged sympathy from the crowd. “Maybe we should let it go. She meant well; she just didn’t expect it to be counterfeit.” “Yeah, Geraldine would never do something like that. I believe her.” Hearing people defend her, Geraldine cried even harder. “Don’t cry, Ms. Geraldine, or people will start thinking I’m the bully here,” I said with a mocking laugh. She sniffled. “Raelyn, I know you don’t like me, but do you have to be so cruel?” I burst out laughing. “Me, harsh? Ms. Geraldine, when you buy something, isn’t your first move to have it authenticated? You’re a public figure; if something goes wrong, it’s your career on the line.” “You…” Geraldine sputtered, unable to find words. Then, a voice chimed in from the side. “Look at Raelyn, always so sharp-tongued. Geraldine is gentle and kind. So what if she bought a fake? Who can guarantee they’ll never make that mistake in their life?”I turned toward the speaker, a fashionably dressed werewolf girl, though her heavy display of jewelry made her look cheap. “So what—you’re admitting you’ve bought fakes too?” I asked. She snorted. “Of course. Who hasn’t? It happens.” “Hold on—who said everyone’s bought fakes? Sorry to disappoint, but I passed my appraiser’s exam at sixteen. I’ve never once bought a counterfeit. Not everyone is like you—buying fakes, refusing to reflect, and then flaunting it as if it’s nothing.” The werewolf girl’s face twisted in fury, but she had no comeback. “Raelyn, show some mercy,” Geraldine whispered meekly. Mercy? She had the nerve to say that? I gave her a long look and smiled. “Then please, Ms. Geraldine, make sure you’re more careful from now on; don’t let yourself slip up again.” Geraldine shot me a venomous glare before slinking away in shame.