Chapter 57: Chapter 57: The Biggest Winner
As it turned out, while everyone was focused on watching Justin Hale have his stone cut, Seraphina Sterling had quietly purchased another one.
The crowd was once again amazed by Seraphina Sterling’s wit and courage. Despite having her chosen stones snatched by Justin Hale and Franklin Sutton several times, she had remained calm and composed, completely unconcerned, as if nothing had happened. Just when everyone thought she was doomed to do all the work for others’ benefit and gain nothing herself, she had silently set a trap for Justin Hale! And it was a huge one at that!
To have such a calculating mind and deep cunning at her young age! And such extraordinary courage! She even dared to get revenge on the young master of the Hale Family of Aethelgard. Truly, the young are fearless!
Just as the crowd was praising Seraphina Sterling, the stonecutter had already skillfully finished his work. At that moment, he stared at the exquisite emerald green in his hands, too stunned to know how to react.
The expressions on the faces of the onlookers were even more exaggerated. Some had their eyes wide, some had their mouths agape, and some pinched themselves hard to confirm they weren’t dreaming. Others thought their eyes were playing tricks on them and rubbed them vigorously. A full minute passed before someone shouted out in shock!
"Emperor Green! It’s really Emperor Green!"
"I can’t believe I’m seeing Emperor Green in my lifetime!"
"Emperor Green! It’s been years since one of these was found. Every piece that’s cut is one less in the world!"
...
The crowd swarmed the area, staring unblinkingly at the rich green, afraid it would disappear if they so much as blinked.
Justin Hale was now certain. Seraphina Sterling had been setting a trap for him from the very beginning! She had deliberately let him snatch a few stones—all of which produced jade—just to set him up for a big fall! Then, right after, she’d gone and revealed an Emperor Green!
"Miss Sterling, I’ll offer one hundred million!" Even though Franklin Sutton knew the chances of Seraphina Sterling agreeing to sell to him were slim, he couldn’t help but make a bid when faced with an incredibly rare Emperor Green. ’Emperor Green! The finest of all jades! It’s practically a national treasure!’
"I’ll add ten million!" Justin Hale was someone who could take a loss and move on. For the sake of the Emperor Green, he could even let bygones be bygones. ’Emperor Green, the king of jades, and such a large piece, too!’
"One hundred and thirty million!" Franklin Sutton was determined. ’Emperor Green is just too rare to pass up!’
"One hundred and fifty million!" Justin Hale countered without missing a beat, his eyes never leaving the Emperor Green. His unhesitating bid made it clear he was determined to have it.
Felix Gallagher’s eyes were practically burning, but he forced himself to stay silent. ’Jade Pavilion was originally founded on a piece of Emperor Green. If I could buy this one, my current predicament wouldn’t be an issue at all! It’s just... my funds are too limited. I bought so many stones at the start of the convention and acquired some decent jade as well. I just don’t have enough capital to compete for the Emperor Green now!’
Seeing that no one else was raising the bid, Justin Hale turned his gaze back to Seraphina Sterling. He wore an expression as gentle as a prince’s—the kind girls her age found most irresistible. "One hundred and fifty million. If Miss Sterling agrees, I can transfer the funds immediately!"
But Seraphina Sterling remained perfectly calm, as if she cared neither for the Emperor Green nor for the "Prince Charming" before her. "Mr. Gallagher, are you not interested in this Emperor Green? The odds of a second one being cut at this convention are practically zero."
"It’s not that Mr. Gallagher doesn’t want it," Justin Hale cut in, clearly displeased at being ignored by Seraphina Sterling and eager to reassert his presence. "He’s just already acquired a good deal of jade, so his funds are likely more than half gone. Competing for the Emperor Green now is simply beyond his means!"
"He’s right, Seraphina. The most I can offer is one hundred and thirty million," Felix Gallagher admitted. He wasn’t holding back or lying to save face. "Even if you sell it to someone else this time, I won’t blame you!" This was the absolute limit of what he could afford.
Seraphina Sterling gave a warm smile. "The only reason I could come to the second floor, and the only reason I had the chance to find this Emperor Green, is because Mr. Gallagher brought me up here. Without his help, how could I possibly have cut it open? Your price may not be the highest, Mr. Gallagher, but my teachers have taught me time and again that a person must know how to show gratitude."
With that, Seraphina Sterling ignored Justin Hale’s look of utter shock and handed the Emperor Green directly to Felix Gallagher.
Holy crap, there was still a student who listened to her teachers so diligently these days! That was a difference of a full twenty million! Twenty million! Just what kind of teacher taught her? That was some damn effective education!
Felix Gallagher had been in business for many years, but he had never encountered anything like this. ’Someone who can actually ignore profit! And prioritize gratitude instead!’ Seraphina Sterling’s decision had a profound impact on him. For years, he had been single-mindedly focused on growing Jade Pavilion, putting profit first in every decision and partnership, using it as his ultimate benchmark. It looked like his future business strategies would need some timely adjustments.
"If you need my help with anything in the future, don’t hesitate to ask. As long as it’s something I can do, I will definitely help you!" Felix Gallagher didn’t waste words on sentiment, instead making a solid, concrete promise.
Seraphina Sterling’s smile grew even more radiant, and two cute dimples faintly appeared on her fair cheeks. ’That’s the sentence I was waiting for!’
Seraphina Sterling didn’t buy any more stones and left the venue directly.
At that very moment, two other people were also leaving the venue.
Summer was carrying a huge backpack. Earlier that morning, she had followed Seraphina Sterling up to the second floor with Felix Gallagher. Because Justin Hale and Seraphina Sterling were so eye-catching, the already inconspicuous Summer became practically invisible. While Justin Hale and Franklin Sutton were busy trying to snatch stones from Seraphina, Summer had been following Seraphina’s instructions, rapidly buying up other stones!
So, in reality, Seraphina Sterling hadn’t been working for others’ benefit at all; she was the day’s biggest winner! Not only had she revealed two pieces of the Golden Thread Variety and an extremely precious Emperor Green, but she also had the huge pile of jade in Summer’s backpack, plus Felix Gallagher’s promise. And, of course, she had managed to swindle Justin Hale in the process.
"Seraphina, you’re incredible! Every single one of your picks was a winner! All the ones you told me to buy had green inside! Do you have X-ray vision or something?" Summer’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. ’Today was such a rush!’
"X-ray vision? I’m just lucky! Let’s head back first." Seraphina Sterling took the heavy backpack and slung it onto her own back. ’This ability of mine cost me an immense amount of effort.’
Just as they left the venue, Justin Hale walked over and blocked their path. "Miss Sterling, I think we need to have a talk."
