46, The Desperate Plea

Chapter Forty Six: The Desperate Plea

Mrs. Sinclair Pete looked at the young man standing before her, his desperation palpable.

He shifted his weight anxiously as he clutched the velvet box containing the Amulet of Ashoka.

Chris, standing off to the side, observed the scene with a discerning eye, his suspicions about the authenticity of the jewelry still fresh in his mind.

"I understand your urgency," Mrs. Pete said, her voice softening as she regarded the young man.

"But we must be thorough. If this piece is as valuable as you say, it’s essential to verify its authenticity."

The young man's face twisted in frustration. "I don’t have that kind of time," he said, his voice quivering.

“My mother is down with cancer, and this precious stone is the only valuable thing we have left. I need to sell it soon to pay for her hospital bills."

His eyes locked onto Chris’s, as if seeking some form of sympathy or validation.

He reached into his bag and produced a stack of papers, thru