Reborn As Super Heiress

Chapter 1850: Chapter 1753: This Is the Evidence

”Hmph, the feel is not right. There are so many red corals in the world; do you think each one feels the same? Just based on that, you claim this is a fake? That’s laughable. If all it takes is moving your lips to call something fake, then I could say your jadeite bracelet is fake too, made of glass. As for the reason, I could say I have a pair of genuine jadeite bracelets that feel different from yours. Do you find that convincing?”

Li Hang’s eyes blazed with anger, clearly infuriated by Huo Sining’s claim that the red coral he brought was a fake. He seemed like a furious beast, ready to explode at any moment.

Even Master Li from Liuli appeared to have poison in his gaze, his words tinged with a sinister edge:

”I’ve heard that Huaxia has a young female appraiser. I thought she must be quite skilled, but it turns out she’s just someone seeking fame without skill. You dare to declare something as fake without evidence? That’s too ridiculous. Miss Huo, do you really think appraising antiques relies solely on a sharp tongue?”

”Well, you asked for evidence, not me. If you embarrass yourselves, don’t blame me!”

Huo Sining glanced at Li Hang and Master Li without defending herself. She signaled to the staff and whispered something quietly.

The staff nodded and went to the inner courtyard. Soon, they returned with a brand-new toothbrush and a basin of warm water.

Huo Sining thanked the staff member, took the items, and addressed the crowd:

”Since Mr. Li and Master Li insist on evidence, I’ll provide it. Look closely. This is the tool I asked this gentleman to bring: a toothbrush, warm water. If anyone doubts this, feel free to inspect it.”

Li Hang didn’t know what game Huo Sining was playing, but upon getting a signal from his grandfather, he stepped forward, checked thoroughly under her watchful eyes, confirmed nothing was wrong, and then stepped back a few paces, closely watching her to see what she intended to do.

Huo Sining, tired of explaining further, dipped the toothbrush in warm water and vigorously scrubbed a branch of the coral.

Soon, the water on the toothbrush ran down the coral branch and quickly flowed back into the transparent glass basin.

After repeating this a few times, Li Hang’s expression changed drastically.

Because the water dripping from the red coral carried a strange red tint, and the droplets that fell into the glass basin stained the clear water a faint red.

Huo Sining raised her head, smiled slightly at Li Hang and the others, and said, ”Didn’t you want evidence? Here it is!”

”Genuine red coral is a natural fossil, with color derived from metallic elements within the fossil, not just surface coloration.”

”Therefore, if it were genuine, like this Spring-colored Jade Bracelet on my wrist, its green and purple colors would not fade no matter how much you washed it! Unlike this red coral, which starts losing color after just a few brushes with a toothbrush!”

Saying this, Huo Sining’s gaze fixed firmly on the people from Liuli:

”That’s why I say this red coral is fake. It’s made from branches or such things decayed in the sea, polished and dyed, so once washed, the color comes off immediately.”

”But in one aspect, Master Li, you were right. It’s not red coral, but it’s a similar item since it also comes from the sea. But as for its value, that’s subjective, seen differently by different people!”

Huo Sining’s argument was truly well-founded, and everyone nodded in agreement, finding it very convincing.

However, her words struck the people from Liuli like a sharp slap in the face. Even the thickest-skinned among them blushed deeply, wishing they could crawl into a hole immediately.

Everyone looked at Li Hang’s table with an indescribably strange gaze.

Understandable, too—showing up uninvited at a seventieth birthday celebration without a sincere gift, but bringing a fake red coral to deceive people, treating them like fools?

Even though Li Hang’s grandfather insisted earlier that the red coral was personally selected and appraised by experts, it was undeniably fake. Who knew if it was intentional? Even if it wasn’t, it was a huge oversight, gifting a fake as a birthday present.

Though none of the guests spoke this aloud, an air of disdain was evident in their eyes.

Old Master Li, the birthday celebrant, was also angry. He had intended to protect his brother, but didn’t expect his brother to cause such a scandal at his birthday celebration, disgracing not only himself but also dragging him down with him.

The old man internally cursed this ill fortune, and his gaze toward his brother cooled considerably from the usual warmth.

”Miss Huo’s verdict is out, but Mr. Li’s hasn’t been announced yet, so let’s talk about the three items Miss Huo picked!”

The atmosphere was thick with tension. Adrian, noticing his old friend’s displeasure with his brother, hurriedly spoke to change the subject.

His call successfully diverted everyone’s attention to the remaining three items.

Li Hang, who was overwhelmed with disgrace, felt relief at Adrian’s words, as if he’d heard heavenly music. However, when everyone turned to the three items Huo Sining selected, connected to his own answer, his face clouded again.

He was well aware that the answer he provided was not what Huo Sining wanted. This woman was too cunning to let him off the hook easily.

Li Hang had a sinking feeling he hadn’t checked his horoscope before leaving the house; how else would he encounter someone like Huo Sining?

No matter how much Li Hang wanted to deny this outcome, it was inevitable. Butler Li already retrieved Li Hang’s answer sheet, cleared his throat, and began reading Li Hang’s answer aloud.