Chapter 10 It's Genuine!

• "Could you please be quiet!"
• Sophia hadn't anticipated Michael's persistent remarks; she pulled him aside sharply.
• Then, with a tone tinged with frustration, she pleaded, "Can you show me some respect, please!?"
• Michael remained stoic. "Respect is earned, not given."
• Terry rushed over to Melissa, looking aggrieved. "Aunt Melissa, look at this! He's so disrespectful! He keeps insisting my chalcedony is fake. Aunt Melissa, you have to defend me!"
• "Alright."
• Melissa nodded and gave Michael a stern look.
• Melissa, responsible for researching medicinal properties of precious stones at the Lewises' medical enterprise, was an expert in this field.
• She could certainly authenticate whether this was chalcedony.
• Holding the chalcedony bracelet, Melissa carefully examined it under the room's light source.
• Soon after, Melissa set down the chalcedony and frowned.
• Terry noticed Melissa's expression and couldn't help but gulp. Could there really be something wrong with his chalcedony?
• Everyone present was equally taken aback. Could what the live-in son-in-law said be true?
• Regina couldn't resist asking, "Aunt Melissa, is this chalcedony truly authentic?"
• Melissa smiled. "I've conducted a thorough examination. This chalcedony is indeed genuine. What a precious gift to spend so much on!"
• Upon hearing that it was authentic, Regina beamed even brighter. "Regardless of its cost, what matters most is that it's a token of our affection ... "
• The younger generation of the Lewises chimed in as well.
• "I knew it was genuine!"
• "I knew it! How could a live-in son-in-law who stays home all day doing chores understand precious stones!"
• "He must have been upset by Terry earlier; he's holding a grudge, so he resorted to defaming him!"
• "That's right! If you can't afford to buy gifts, don't slander others. It's distasteful!"
• Terry grew even more smug. "Michael, come here and apologise to me!"
• Sophia pushed Michael. "Hurry up and apologise. Stop embarrassing yourself!"
• Watching the scene unfold, Michael could only smirk inwardly.
• He could see immediately that Terry's chalcedony was fake, and it was impossible that an expert like Melissa couldn't discern it.
• Michael understood now. No matter what, he would always be at fault in the end—simply because he was an incapable live-in son-in-law, simply because he was the weaker one!
• In the past, Michael would have apologised to avoid embarrassing Sophia.
• But now, Michael had no intention of backing down!
• Taking a step forward, Michael snatched the chalcedony and slammed it hard onto the ground!
• Terry's eyes widened. "Shephard, what are you doing!"
• Michael remained composed and picked up a shard from the shattered chalcedony.
• "The break is clean, indicating this is not chalcedony but glass imitation!
• "The surface is smooth and glossy, but the interior is dull and lifeless—what's outside doesn't reflect what's inside. These are clear signs of artificial treatment to mimic authenticity!
• "Most importantly, this chalcedony is not naturally light blue; it's been artificially dyed!"
• Michael glanced at Melissa. "Artificially dyed chalcedony can cause irreversible harm to the skin if worn!"
• This revelation might explain Melissa's furrowed brows earlier.
• Michael hadn't anticipated that even now, Melissa would defend Terry.
• Suddenly, silence fell over the room.
• Everyone stared in disbelief.
• They could still tell the difference between glass and chalcedony!
• Terry was overwhelmed with shame!
• But he still wouldn't admit defeat.
• "Hmph, even if my chalcedony is fake, it's still better than your handmade gift!"
• With that, eager to save face, Terry quickly stepped forward and opened the gift Michael had placed on the table.