261**Lily’s jaw tightened as the whispers erupted around the room.** “Allvar,” Tobias said softly, his face etched with the perfect blend of shock and hurt. “That’s a serious accusation. I would never—” “Don’t,” Allvar interrupted, his voice sharp enough to slice through the tension. “Don’t play the innocent act with me. You’re not fooling anyone who’s paying attention.” “Enough!” Mrs. Penrose’s voice rang out, silencing the murmurs. Her icy gaze fell on Allvar like a blade. “You will not disrespect Tobias in my home.” “Disrespect?” Lily interjected, stepping forward. “You’re seriously defending him after everything he’s done?” Mrs. Penrose’s lips thinned, her face a portrait of restrained fury. “Lily, this is not how a lady of your stature should behave. Tobias has been nothing but kind to you, and yet you bring *this man*—this *brash, uncultured* individual—into my house on your birthday, of all days?” Allvar scoffed, but before he could respond, Lily’s fists clenched a

263Mrs. Penrose's lips tightened into a thin line, the weight of Lily's accusations settling heavily in the room. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped short when Lily’s piercing gaze landed on her."Don’t even try, Grandmother," Lily said coldly. "You’ve done enough covering for him. For all of them. I’m done being the puppet in your perfect little show."Mrs. Penrose’s composure faltered for a split second, but she quickly recovered, her voice sharp. "Watch your tone, young lady. You may think you’re making a grand statement, but all you’re doing is embarrassing yourself."Lily let out a bitter laugh, crossing her arms. "Embarrassing myself? No, Grandmother. What’s embarrassing is how long I let myself believe your lies. Tobias isn’t the golden boy you’ve painted him to be, and I’m not the naive little girl who’ll fall in line anymore."Tobias, clearly panicked, stepped forward, his voice desperate. "Lily, you’re overreacting. I swear, none of this is true. You’re letting your

265Mrs. Penrose pressed her lips together and glanced between Tobias and Lily, the tension in the room still palpable. Then, as if making an effort to ease the mood, she clasped her hands together. “Enough of this for now. It’s my birthday, and I won’t have it ruined by arguments. Let’s set this aside and try to be civil, shall we?” Lily raised an eyebrow but said nothing, crossing her arms as she leaned back in her chair. Tobias muttered something under his breath, but Mrs. Penrose ignored him. The door creaked open as a housekeeper entered, carefully balancing a large cake lit with candles. The flames flickered, reflecting off the polished silverware and crystal glasses, casting a soft glow over the room. Mrs. Penrose gestured toward the cake with a tight smile. “Let’s not forget why we’re here. Shall we?” Everyone stood awkwardly as the family gathered around. A reluctant chorus of *Happy Birthday* began, though the enthusiasm varied wildly. Tobias sang louder than anyone

267Lily stepped forward, her voice steady but cold. “If you’re so sure it’s real, Tobias, let’s get it appraised. Right here. Right now.”The room seemed to hold its breath. The tension was palpable, like the moment before a storm broke. Tobias’s smirk wavered for a split second before returning, though it now seemed forced.Mrs. Penrose raised a hand, her tone clipped. “Lily, that’s enough. This is neither the time nor place for such accusations.”“Time and place?” Lily countered, her voice sharp. “The time is now, and the place is wherever Tobias decides to parade stolen—or fake—goods.”“Stolen?” Tobias scoffed, stepping closer, his expression a mix of outrage and mockery. “Now you’re accusing me of theft? You really don’t know when to quit, do you?”“Enough!” Mrs. Penrose snapped, her face flushed with embarrassment. “Lily, stop this nonsense immediately.”“It’s not nonsense,” Allvar interjected, his calm voice cutting through the rising murmurs of the crowd. “I know what I’m talk

269Allvar clenched his fists, his frustration barely concealed as he watched Tobias bask in the support of the room. The smug smirk on Tobias’s face fueled his resolve, but the weight of judgment pressing against him from the skeptical crowd was nearly suffocating. He refused to back down, his gaze flickering toward Lily. Her determined expression gave him strength, a silent reassurance that he wasn’t standing alone.Before Allvar could respond, a voice from the back of the room sliced through the tension like a knife. “If Tobias has nothing to hide, then what’s the harm in getting the clocks appraised?”Heads turned, murmurs rippling through the crowd as an older gentleman stepped forward. His presence commanded attention, his stern face unmistakable—Mr. Whitlock, a renowned collector and expert in antique timepieces.“Tobias has always been an honest man!” an elderly woman near the front protested. “Why should he prove himself over some baseless accusations?”“I don’t think it’s ba