{ ELIAS BACKSTORY ll }
The "hearing" was a farce. Lord Collin seated like a king, while Elias and Michael stood before the stern-faced parliament. No real investigation was conducted. Lord Collin presented the ring, repeating his accusations of deliberate fraud. He spoke of the insult to his noble house, the attempt to stain their honor.
Elias tried to speak, to explain. "Please, honored Parliament," he begged, his voice thick with desperation. "My father has worked his entire life to build his reputation. Our shop… it's all we have. My mother is gone, this shop is how we survive. We would never risk it all by selling a fake. There has to be a mistake. The supplier…"
"Silence, boy!" one of the men snapped, his jowls quivering. "You speak of suppliers? Do you take us for fools? Lord Collin, a man of impeccable taste and knowledge, has identified this as a forgery. His word is enough."
"But it's not true!" Elias pleaded, tears welling in his eyes. "We are innocent!"
